HEDGE-IoT Open Call for SMEs and Innovators
HEDGE-IoT Open Calls are designed to empower SMEs and startups by providing financial support and resources to develop innovative, IoT-enabled, data-driven energy services within the HEDGE-IoT framework. Through the two open calls, selected third parties will have the opportunity to contribute to the project’s technological advancements and validate their solutions in real-world demonstrators.
Open Call 1 - CLOSED
HEDGE-IoT Open Call 1 was open from 22 July 2025 to 24 October 2025 and attracted significant interest from the European innovation ecosystem, receiving 147 applications from 30 Horizon Europe-associated countries.
The call aims to fund up to 12 third-party projects developing innovative data-driven energy services. Through a cascade-funding mechanism, selected SMEs and startups will:
- Leverage HEDGE-IoT’s distributed digital solutions;
- Demonstrate the interoperability and scalability of their innovations;
- Contribute to advancing energy consumer services and Europe’s energy transition.
A total of €649.867,00 has been allocated to Open Call 1, with funding of up to €60,000 per selected project.
Selected applications will be published soon. Applications were assessed based on excellence, impact, technical quality, and implementation feasibility. Successful will subsequently join the HEDGE-IoT ecosystem to validate their solutions in real-world demonstration environments.
The Open Call process followed a structured approach to ensure transparency, fairness, and efficiency:
1
Preparation & Publication
- Guidelines and templates can be found in “Important Documents” section in this page.
- Open Call details will be disseminated widely.
2
Application & Selection
- Proposals will be evaluated based on technical excellence, innovation potential, and alignment with HEDGE-IoT goals.
- An impartial panel will assess submissions.
3
Implementation & Support
- Selected applicants will receive funding and mentorship.
- Services developed will be integrated into the HEDGE-IoT framework.
4
Evaluation & Sustainability
- Progress will be monitored to ensure objectives are met.
- Solutions will be assessed for long-term viability.
Financial Support & Funding Rules
Up to
€60,000
per third party.
70% of
eligible costs
covered.
Up to
25% pre-financing,
with further payments tied to milestones and deliverables.
Maximum
20% of the budget
may be allocated to equipment and consumables.
The financial support was granted under a standard contract, ensuring:
- Compliance with EU funding rules.
- Protection of intellectual property rights.
- Transparency in payment and reporting mechanisms.
Evaluation Criteria
Each proposal has been assessed based on the following principles:
Excellence
Innovative, high-quality proposals aligned with the Open Call objectives.
Impact
Contribution to strengthening SMEs’ market position and improving energy consumer services.
Technical Quality
Well-defined use cases, integration strategies, and implementation plans.
Work Plan
Feasibility
Clear objectives,
risk management, and resource allocation