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European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA)

Launch of the new I3 Instrument Partner Search tool to build stronger interregional innovation consortia

  • News article
  • 12 March 2026
  • European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency
  • 2 min read

The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) has launched today the I3 Instrument Partner Search tool, a new online platform designed to support innovation actors in forming strong, cross-border consortia under the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument.

The I3 Instrument Partner Search tool aims to connect public authorities, businesses, research organisations, higher education institutions and other innovation stakeholders interested in participating in I3 Instrument-funded projects. By offering a central space to publish collaboration offers and identify potential partners, the tool helps accelerate consortium building and fosters interregional cooperation across Europe’s innovation ecosystems.

Key functionalities

The new tool is designed to be user-friendly and focused on practical consortium-building needs. The platform offers:

  • A searchable database of partnering offers, allowing users to browse existing project ideas and collaboration opportunities.
  • Advanced filtering options, including type of partner, sector, technology area, I3 Instrument call, regional category, country, willingness to coordinate, and Smart Specialisation priorities.
  • EU Login-based registration, enabling organisations to post and manage their partnering offers securely.
  • Project offer pages, providing detailed information on organisations, their expertise, and their interest in specific type of partners and I3 Instrument calls.
  • An integrated contact form, enabling users to reach interesting profiles through the platform without publicly exposing contact details.
  • All project offers are publicly accessible, while registration is required only for posting and managing offers.

Supporting I3 Instrument communities and innovation ecosystems

The I3 Instrument Partner Search complements existing I3 Instrument support services and is designed to help regions and innovation actors identify complementary capabilities, strengthen interregional value chains, and prepare competitive project proposals under the I3 Instrument.

Innovation stakeholders are invited to explore the tool, publish their partnering offers, and connect with potential consortium partners.

Discover the I3 Instrument Partner Search Tool and start building your consortium today!

Details

Publication date
12 March 2026
Author
European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency