INNOBASQUE AGENCIA VASCA DE LA INNOVACION / INNOBASQUE BERRIKUNTZARENEUSKAL AGENTZIA

Their core work

INNOBASQUE is the Basque Country's official innovation agency, responsible for designing and executing regional innovation policy and supporting SMEs in building their innovation management capacity. Through H2020, they have focused on two parallel tracks: coaching Basque SMEs to access EU funding instruments (the recurring BASKAM series), and coordinating ERA-NET programmes that align regional manufacturing and materials R&D funding with European priorities. They act as a bridge between regional industry — particularly advanced manufacturing SMEs — and the broader European research and innovation ecosystem.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2014–2017), INNOBASQUE focused on general SME innovation support, nanotechnologies, and coordinating fragmented national and regional R&D funding programmes. From 2019 onward, their work shifted decisively toward advanced manufacturing, advanced materials, and green transition themes — batteries, circular economy, and Green Deal alignment became prominent keywords. The BASKAM series also grew significantly in budget (from EUR 3,500 to EUR 138,000), suggesting an expanding mandate and deeper engagement with their SME client base.

INNOBASQUE is pivoting from general innovation support toward green manufacturing, battery technologies, and circular economy — making them a strong partner for sustainability-oriented manufacturing consortia.

How they like to work

INNOBASQUE operates predominantly as a participant (8 of 9 projects), with one coordinator role in MANUNET III, an ERA-NET for advanced manufacturing. Despite their participant-heavy profile, they have built an extensive network of 83 unique partners across 37 countries, indicating they function as a well-connected hub rather than a passive participant. Their role is best understood as a regional innovation intermediary — they bring regional industry needs and funding into European consortia rather than contributing direct research.

With 83 unique consortium partners across 37 countries, INNOBASQUE has one of the broadest geographic networks relative to its project count, reflecting its role in ERA-NET programmes that inherently involve many national funding agencies. Their reach spans nearly all EU member states and associated countries.

What sets them apart

INNOBASQUE occupies a rare position as a regional innovation agency with deep European network reach — they understand both the ground-level needs of manufacturing SMEs and the mechanics of EU funding programmes. Their sustained BASKAM track record demonstrates proven ability to translate EU instruments into practical SME support, while their ERA-NET involvement gives them direct influence over how national and regional manufacturing R&D budgets are allocated. For consortium builders, they offer a gateway to the Basque Country's strong industrial base, particularly in advanced manufacturing and materials.

Highlights from their portfolio

• MANUNET III
  Their only coordinator role — an ERA-NET for advanced manufacturing technologies, demonstrating leadership in aligning European manufacturing R&D funding.
• BASKAM4
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 138,448) and the culmination of a 7-year SME coaching programme, showing significant scale-up of their innovation services.
• M-ERA.NET3
  Their most recent and longest-running project (2021-2026), marking a strategic shift toward batteries, circular economy, and Green Deal themes.