ABBA OPEN CALL

Through this Open Call, ABBA will select 30 promising innovators who will benefit from tailored innovation services, capacity-building, and transnational open innovation activities.

The ABBA Open Call is launched on 20/06/2025 to identify and support 30 early-stage deeptech innovators from the Adriatic-Ionian region. Selected applicants will receive innovation support services, as part of the ABBA project, co-funded by the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme.

Eligible Applicants:

SMEs
Startups
Spin-offs
Research Teams
Entrepreneurship Teams
Individual Researchers
Individual Entrepreneurs

Blue Economy sectors:

Port Activities
Maritime Transport
Marine Renewable Energy
Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries
Shipping
Shipbuilding and Repair
Blue Bioeconomy and Biotechnology

ABBA Challenges to Be Addressed:

Solutions should target one or (max two) of the following ABBA challenges:

Addressing rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and coastal erosion due to climate change
Promoting marine energy efficiency through renewable energy or alternative fuels
Advancing circular economy practices in marine and coastal industries
Combating overfishing and ensuring sustainable management of marine biodiversity
Supporting sustainable maritime spatial planning and environmental conservation
Promoting port & vessels digitalization and automation solutions for emissions reduction
Promoting grid integration to overcome infrastructure gaps
Promoting green shipbuilding & repair process

What Will You Gain?

Selected innovators will benefit from a comprehensive support package designed to:

Explore and enhance their innovation capacity through tailored mentoring and diagnostics
Improve their business and technology readiness with expert guidance on product development, market fit, and commercialization
Identify and connect with strategic partners across borders for co-development and scaling
Participate in transnational Open Innovation activities, including matchmaking, networking, and collaborative R&D concept design
Strengthen their technical, commercial, legal, and financial skills relevant to innovation and technology transfer
Gain visibility and access to new markets through the ABBA ecosystem and its partners

What Do We Need From You?

Willingness to Collaborate
Time Commitment
Openness to Innovation
A Motivated Team
Key Dates for the open call:

Call Launch: 20/06/2025
Application Deadline: 21/07/2025
Announcement of Selected Beneficiaries: 12/09/2025
Service Delivery Period: 09/2025 – 05/2026

How to Apply

To apply, you must submit:

The Online Application Form completed and in English (including an online Declaration of Honour)
Optional Pitch Deck or Supporting Materials

Apply HERE
Download: 

Application template 

Guidelines

For any questions, contact us at: ABBA@aegean.gr