As part of its mission to foster innovation across Europe, the INPROCAP project is organising a series of regional events in geographical hubs. Each hub is designed to activate and engage the local ecosystem, ensuring that INPROCAP activities reach all relevant stakeholders—especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Each Industrial Liaison Officer (ILO) involved is familiar with their region’s innovation procurement landscape and is committed to involving the most promising start-ups and innovative SMEs in the Big Science Organisations (BSO) ecosystem. These regional initiatives aim to strengthen participation in innovation procurement processes and provide targeted support tailored to local strengths and challenges.
On 28 May 2025, a successful webinar titled “Business Opportunities and Innovative Procurement in Big Science” was held as part of the INPROCAP project. Designed to bridge the gap between the scientific community and industry, the event brought together 57 participants from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia, offering them an in-depth look into collaboration opportunities with two major European research institutions: the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) and Fusion for Energy (F4E), which oversees the European Union’s contribution to the ITER nuclear fusion project.
The event began with welcome remarks from Sylwia Wójtowicz of the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) and Jozef Kubinec representing the INPROCAP project. Both highlighted the growing importance of innovative procurement in fostering science-industry partnerships.
Insight from Big Science Institutions
The first expert session featured Nordine Azizi from CERN’s Procurement Department, with a presentation titled “Doing Business with CERN.” Azizi offered a comprehensive guide to CERN’s procurement structure, supplier registration, and selection processes. He emphasized the need for companies to thoroughly understand CERN’s expectations, actively engage through the CERN Procurement Portal, and prepare strategically to meet the institution’s technical standards.
Following this, attention turned to Fusion for Energy (F4E) with Mehdi Daval presenting “Business Opportunities at ITER.” Daval outlined current and future procurement needs in areas such as cryogenics, high-voltage systems, robotics, and control systems. He reassured participants that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are not only welcome but essential partners, provided they meet F4E’s stringent quality and safety requirements.
Continuing the F4E session, Cristina Ortiz introduced “Procuring Innovation at F4E”, detailing F4E’s progressive approach to procurement. She emphasized early supplier involvement, flexible tendering models, and the importance of aligning with emerging technological needs.
Industry Perspectives: Lessons from the Field
A standout part of the webinar was a series of case studies from companies currently operating within the Big Science sector.
Elżbieta Jeleń and Szymon Zawadzki of Altrad Babcock Europe S.A. shared real-world experiences from their high-tech collaborations, including strategies for managing technical, logistical, and certification challenges.
Anna Kamińska from Creotech Instruments S.A. offered a compelling narrative about her company’s journey into the Big Science ecosystem. From their initial steps with CERN to scaling up engineering capabilities, Kamińska underlined the strategic value of aligning with global scientific institutions.
A Gateway to Global Collaboration
The event concluded by reinforcing the message that collaboration with CERN and F4E represents a real and accessible opportunity for companies in Central and Eastern Europe to integrate into the global high-tech supply chain. Participants were encouraged to take advantage of the materials shared during the webinar and to reach out directly to CERN and F4E representatives for follow-up discussions.
Attendees and interested companies are also invited to stay informed via wielkanauka.pl and follow WielkaNauka on LinkedIn for the latest updates from the Big Science sector.
