The BIND platform, an open innovation initiative by the Basque Government, has opened the fourth call for BIND GovTech. This initiative aims to connect disruptive startups with public societies of the Basque Autonomous Community to develop innovation projects and accelerate the digital transformation of public processes and services. Interested parties can submit their applications until October 1st via the BIND GovTech website.
This year's edition features several work streams. In the traditional line, the societies Bilbao Ekintza, Euskal Trenbide Sarea (ETS), and the Basque Energy Agency (EEE) present challenges to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Additionally, the agricultural foundation HAZI and the public environmental management society Ihobe will assist in the search for startups, scaling a successful pilot.
This edition marks the 4th of the successful BIND GovTech initiative, during which over 25 startups have developed projects with public societies in the Basque Country. The Basque Government's BIND platform has facilitated more than 400 public-private collaborations, both through the Venture Client initiative with corporations and SMEs, and with BIND GovTech.
Three technological challenges are proposed for startups: improving data structure and governance, enhancing the quality of citizen services, and project monitoring. Specifically, Bilbao Ekintza seeks to optimize the legal and technical drafting of tender documents; Euskal Trenbide Sarea aims for solutions in managing documents and monitoring environmental compliance for railway infrastructure construction contracts; and EEE intends to improve the consistency and quality of consultation responses.
The HAZI foundation will also participate in a free format, collaborating with startups identified with the support of BIND GovTech. Public societies are looking to partner with startups and scaleups that have completed their technological development and propose solutions for at least one of these challenges.
The selection process will take place in October and November, allowing startups to present their solutions and meet with public societies face-to-face. Selected startups will develop paid pilot projects with reference public societies and receive training on working with the public sector. Furthermore, finalists will undergo a two-day training on GovTech and public sector sales.
The results of these collaborations will be showcased at the annual BIND Demo Day event, scheduled for July 2027, which typically gathers over 400 participants. For more information and to register, visit the BIND platform website before October 1st.
BIND is a public-private open innovation platform for smart industry, created by the Basque Government through SPRI Group. Currently, over 100 SMEs, public societies, and leading companies based in Euskadi collaborate in the program. Since 2016, it has supported more than 275 startups and developed over 400 projects.
