MIND4MACHINES · Project

Connecting Manufacturing SMEs with Digital Technology Providers Across Europe

manufacturingPilotedTRL 7

Imagine thousands of small factories across Europe that know they need to go digital but have no idea where to start or who to trust. Meanwhile, tech startups have ready solutions but can't reach those factories. MIND4MACHINES built a matchmaking platform and funding program that pairs manufacturing companies with the right ICT providers — and even gives them money to test the technology before committing. Think of it as a dating app for factories and tech companies, complete with financial support to make the first date happen.

By the numbers

41.4%

Share of EU manufacturing sector value added represented by manufacturer companies

57.6%

Share of total manufacturing workforce in targeted company segment

78%

Share of project budget directed to ICT SMEs and startups through open calls

Consortium partners across the project

European countries represented in the consortium

SMEs in the consortium

Total project deliverables produced

H2020 countries with cluster and SME intermediary organizations

The business problem

What needed solving

Manufacturing SMEs, which represent 41.4% of EU manufacturing value and 57.6% of the workforce, struggle to find and adopt digital technologies. ICT startups have solutions but lack access to factory floors. There is no structured, cross-border system to match manufacturing needs with digital providers and financially de-risk the adoption process.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered an open innovation platform (hosted by F6S) for B2B matchmaking between manufacturing and ICT companies, along with two funding instruments — an Innovation Scheme for TRL 5-7 technologies and a Market Readiness Scheme for TRL 8-9 technologies — channeling nearly 78% of the project budget directly to ICT SMEs and startups via open calls. A total of 24 deliverables were produced across 9 countries.

Audience

Who needs this

Manufacturing SMEs looking to adopt IoT, AI, or cloud solutions but lacking in-house digital expertiseICT startups and software companies wanting to enter the manufacturing market across European bordersIndustry clusters and business support organizations seeking proven models for cross-sector digital matchmakingRegional development agencies running digitalisation programs for local manufacturersEnterprise Europe Network contact points facilitating technology transfer for SMEs

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Automotive & Discrete Manufacturing

SME

Target: Small-to-medium automotive parts manufacturers seeking IoT and predictive maintenance solutions

If you are a manufacturing SME dealing with unplanned downtime and no in-house digital team — this project built a matchmaking platform that connects you directly with vetted ICT providers offering IoT and AI solutions. The Innovation Scheme funded technology validation at TRL 5-7, meaning companies could test solutions before buying. The network spans 9 countries, giving you access to cross-border digital providers you would never find on your own.

Software & IT Services

SME

Target: ICT startups developing industrial IoT, cloud, or AI solutions for manufacturing

If you are an ICT startup with a proven digital solution but struggling to reach factory-floor decision makers — this project created structured access to manufacturing SMEs across 9 European countries. Nearly 78% of the project budget went directly to ICT SMEs through open calls, covering both innovation testing and market readiness stages. The B2B matchmaking platform hosted by F6S provided direct connections to manufacturing companies ready to adopt.

Business Support & Cluster Organizations

any

Target: Industry clusters and intermediary organizations running SME digitalisation programs

If you are a cluster organization or business support body trying to help your manufacturing members go digital — this project developed and tested a replicable methodology for cross-sector matchmaking across 12 partners in 9 countries. The dual funding model covering TRL 5-7 and TRL 8-9 provides a proven template for structuring your own support programs. The 24 deliverables include operational tools and processes you can adapt to your region.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost my company to access these matchmaking services?

The project's open call model directed nearly 78% of budget to participating SMEs as lump-sum support. The project has closed, but the MIND4MACHINES platform was committed to operate for at least 2 years after the project ended. Contact the coordinator for current access terms and any follow-up initiatives.

Can this scale to support hundreds of SMEs across different countries?

The project was designed for cross-border scale from the start, operating across 9 countries (BG, DE, ES, FI, IE, IT, RO, TR, UK) with 12 consortium partners. The methodology was explicitly built to be replicated and disseminated across additional EU regions beyond the initial partner network.

Who owns the methodology and matchmaking tools? Can I license them?

The MIND4MACHINES platform was hosted by F6S, a well-known startup platform provider. IP arrangements would depend on the consortium agreement. Contact the coordinator Istanbul Sanayi Odasi (Istanbul Chamber of Industry) for licensing or replication rights.

What types of digital technologies were covered?

The project addressed the full spectrum of cross-cutting digital technologies: IoT, AI, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, and both hardware and software solutions. Technologies were supported at two maturity levels — Innovation Scheme for TRL 5-7 and Market Readiness Scheme for TRL 8-9.

Is the platform still operational after the project ended?

The deliverable description states the platform would be maintained by F6S during execution and for at least 2 years after the project ended (November 2024). Based on available project data, current operational status should be verified directly via the project website at mind4machines.eu.

How were manufacturing SMEs matched with the right ICT providers?

The platform included a Virtual Meeting Point for B2B matchmaking hosted by F6S. The consortium combined cluster organizations and SME intermediary bodies from 8 countries, each bringing sector-specific knowledge to facilitate relevant matches between manufacturing needs and digital solutions.

Does this comply with EU digital and industry regulations?

The project was funded under Horizon 2020 INNOSUP-01 (cluster-facilitated projects for new industrial value chains), which aligns with EU industrial digitalisation policy. The technologies supported include cybersecurity and blockchain, indicating awareness of regulatory requirements. Specific compliance details would need to be confirmed with the consortium.

Consortium

Who built it

The 12-partner consortium spans 9 countries (Bulgaria, Germany, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Turkey, UK), led by Istanbul Chamber of Industry — one of Turkey's largest industrial bodies. With 5 SMEs and a 33% direct industry ratio, the consortium is weighted toward intermediary and cluster organizations (6 "other" type partners) plus 2 research bodies and 4 industry players. This structure makes sense for a matchmaking project: the partners are the connectors, not the end users. The geographic spread across Western, Eastern, and Southern Europe ensures the methodology was tested in diverse industrial ecosystems, making it more credible for replication elsewhere.

ISTANBUL SANAYI ODASICoordinator · TR
ASOCIACION DE EMPRESARIOS DEL COMERCIO E INDUSTRIA DEL METAL DE MADRIDparticipant · ES
TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OYparticipant · FI
AGENTIA DE DEZVOLTARE REGIONALA NORD-VESTparticipant · RO
SDRUZHENIE INDUSTRIALEN KLASTER ELEKTROMOBILIparticipant · BG
SILICON SAXONY E.V.participant · DE
BWCON GMBHparticipant · DE
IPA SAparticipant · RO
F6S NETWORK IRELAND LIMITEDparticipant · IE
CENTRO SERVIZI INDUSTRIE SRLparticipant · IT
F6S NETWORK LIMITEDthirdparty · UK

How to reach the team

Istanbul Sanayi Odasi (Istanbul Chamber of Industry), Turkey — search for their international projects or EU affairs department

Order a report on this consortium See ISTANBUL SANAYI ODASI profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to access the MIND4MACHINES methodology or connect with the consortium partners? SciTransfer can facilitate introductions and help you evaluate how this matchmaking model fits your digitalisation support programs.

Order a report on this topic More in Manufacturing & Industry 4.0