The BIOEAST Open Innovation Challenge (OIC) is a collaborative initiative, and a unique platform designed to accelerate bioeconomy innovation across the BIOEAST macro-region in key bioeconomy sectors. The OIC brings together bioeconomy hubs and clusters, leading companies, start-ups, universities, researchers, students and talented individuals to drive meaningful impact.

How does it work?

The BIOEAST HUBs – national collaborative platforms that gather key bioeconomy stakeholders – have identified key problems to overcome, and opportunities to realise for the development of a sustainable bioeconomy in Central and Eastern Europe. These have been grouped into eight key themes, each focusing on specific issues that need to be addressed. Innovators from the BIOEAST countries are invited to submit their solutions to help close these innovation gaps.

BIOEAST HUBs, acting as challenge owners, will evaluate and select the most suitable solutions for their concrete context, and will provide the selected innovators opportunities pitch their solutions and to identify suitable partnerships for their further development. Specifically, pitching events organised in 2026 in Hungary, Slovenia, Latvia, Bulgaria and Czechia for innovators to engage with key stakeholders and receive feedback from potential investors and other potential partners.

Are you an innovator working in the bioeconomy? Would you like to contribute innovative solutions to boost the bioeconomy in the BIOEAST macro-region and connect with key bioeconomy stakeholders?

Stay tuned! Applications will open soon!