2. July 2026
Call for solutions open
Following the completion of the Call for Challenges, the IDEALIST project has officially launched the Call for Solutions for Hack&Match #5, the final edition of its open innovation format.
Under the topic “Advanced Technologies for Resilience and Adaptability of SMEs”, six industrial challenges have been collected from companies based in France, Italy and Spain. The challenges address concrete technological needs related to advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced materials, smart industrial processes and sustainable industrial solutions.
The Call for Solutions is open to technology providers, start-ups, SMEs, research organisations, universities, EDIHs, innovation hubs and other innovation actors interested in collaborating with companies facing real industrial challenges.
Selected participants will work together with the Challenge Providers during the online Hack&Match #5 collaborative event, taking place on 1–2 July 2026.
Hack&Match is an IDEALIST open innovation initiative designed to facilitate collaboration between companies and European solution providers through a structured matchmaking and co-creation process. This fifth edition marks the final Hack&Match event of the IDEALIST project.
About the IDEALIST Project
The main objective of the IDEALIST project is to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in three key industrial ecosystems:
- Energy-intensive industries
- Aerospace & defence
- Mobility, transport & automotive
Meet experts and find tailored solutions
In order to leverage all cutting-edge technologies to co-create robust and sustainable solutions in an ever-changing European industrial landscape, the fifth Hack&Match focuses on the “ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES FOR RESILIENCE AND ADAPTABILITY OF SMES".
Participation is a unique opportunity to connect with experts and find innovative, tailor-made solutions that address your specific needs.
Who can participate?
THE PARTICIPANTS in the H&M event can therefore be:
- CHALLENGE PROVIDERS (SMEs (including start-ups), Mid-Caps, Large companies
- SOLUTION PROVIDERS (Tech-savvy SMEs, start-ups, Researchers, Technology centres, EDIH, Digital Innovation Hubs, Accelerators and other similar scale-up organisations).
How does it work?
- CALL FOR CHALLENGES | closed: Any eligible organisation is invited to submit through this form one or more challenges (needs) which it is facing and would like to find solutions at the moment.
- THEN WE WILL LAUNCH A "CALL FOR SOLUTIONS": We will invite organisations throughout Europe to team-up with you to help you find one or more solutions to your needs. It will stay open from 25 MAY to 20 JUNE 2026.
- THEN WE WILL INFORM YOU ABOUT THE COMPOSITION OF YOUR TEAM AND SEND THE INSTRUCTIONS TO JOIN: Between 20 and 30 JUNE 2026 you will be informed about your Solution Provider(s).
- GET PREPARED FOR COLLABORATING TO SOLVE YOUR NEEDS - SAVE THE DATES FROM NOW: The Hack&Match event will run from 1 to 2 JULY 2026 in 100% online mode.
Schedule – short summary
- Deadline: 23 May 2026 | Call for Challenges
- Deadline: 20 June 2026 | Call for Solutions
- 1–2 July 2026 | 2 days Hack&Match #5 (online)
Participation in the Call for Solutions is possible until 20 June 2026.
Rules for participation
- Rules to participate in IDEALIST Hack&Match #5
- Rules to participate in IDEALIST Hack&Match #5 explained in an easy way