BIKiNNOV launches 2nd Call for BIKiNNOV IGNITE to support innovative projects in soft mobility

BIKiNNOV – Bike Value Innovation Center opened, on 3 September, a new application phase for BIKiNNOV IGNITE – INOVC+ Ignition Projects and Proof-of-Concept Competition, an initiative aimed at supporting the development of innovative solutions in the field of soft mobility, strengthening the transfer of scientific knowledge to the market.

Following the first application period, BIKiNNOV decided to launch a 2nd Call, thereby extending the opportunity to participate to new projects and research teams.

As part of the INOVC+ – Innovation Ecosystem for Knowledge and Technology Transfer in the Central Region project, BIKiNNOV IGNITE is aimed at lecturers and researchers developing research and development projects at the translational stage.

The competition seeks to support projects that already show promising results but require additional validation, experimental development or proof of concept, helping to increase their technological maturity and bring solutions resulting from scientific and technological research closer to the market.

The programme provides a total fund of €15,000 to support up to five projects. Each selected application may benefit from technical and logistical support of up to a maximum amount of €5,000, through the direct procurement, by BIKiNNOV, of the goods and/or services required for the development of the proposed solutions.

Lecturers and researchers may apply, individually or in partnership, provided they carry out R&D activities in entities linked to BIKiNNOV, as well as researchers working in the field of soft mobility who are affiliated with an institution in Portugal’s Central Region, in accordance with the conditions established in the regulations.

Applications are open from 3 to 30 September 2026, until 11:59 p.m., with the announcement of the results scheduled for 30 October 2026.

With this new phase, BIKiNNOV aims to broaden the participation of the scientific and technological community and identify new solutions with potential for application and valorisation in the soft mobility sector, while simultaneously strengthening knowledge transfer between the scientific and technological system and the business community.

The INOVC+ project involves a network of 23 partners and aims to consolidate a regional innovation ecosystem that promotes the valorisation and transfer of research results to the economy. The programme runs for 30 months and has eligible investment of approximately €4.1 million, with 85% co-financing from CENTRO2030, Portugal 2030 and the European Union.

Further information about the competition, regulations and application process will be available at www.bikinnov.pt.