Nine Cross-Border Innovation Projects Secure €2.4 Million in European Funding
Maastricht, Thursday, 19 February 2026.
Small businesses across Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium landed major innovation funding through a breakthrough matchmaking program. The STIPP initiative achieved an impressive 82% approval rate, connecting 26 companies that might never have collaborated otherwise. Notably, five partnerships formed entirely through the program’s partner-finding service, transforming isolated innovation ideas into funded cross-border collaborations worth nearly €5 million total.
STIPP Program Delivers Strong Results in Second Funding Round
The STIPP (SME Transition Innovation Partner Projects) program announced on February 11, 2026, that it has approved nine cross-border innovation projects through its second funding call, securing approximately €2.4 million in European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) support [1]. These selected initiatives represent a total project budget of nearly €5 million, demonstrating the program’s ability to leverage European funding to attract additional private investment [1]. The impressive 82% approval rate signals both the quality of applications and the program’s effectiveness in guiding SMEs through the complex process of cross-border collaboration [1].
Matchmaking Success Creates New Business Partnerships
A particularly noteworthy aspect of this funding round involves the formation of five consortia through STIPP’s partner search support, facilitated by the STIPP BIDS team [1]. This matchmaking function addresses one of the most significant barriers to cross-border innovation: finding compatible partners with complementary expertise across different countries and regulatory environments [1]. The 26 participating SMEs span across the Netherlands, Flanders, Wallonia, and Germany, creating a diverse network of collaboration that extends beyond traditional business boundaries [1]. Regional development agencies, including LIOF, support this initiative by providing targeted outreach and grant support to help innovations move faster from concept to implementation [1].
Real-World Applications Target Industrial and Environmental Challenges
The approved projects showcase practical applications of industrial innovation addressing STIPP’s three societal challenges [1]. PREAMA, one of the funded initiatives, aims to boost productivity in automated manufacturing of carbon-composite propellers for electric aviation while simultaneously reducing CO₂ emissions [1]. Another project, LUCET, focuses on developing an autonomous laser cleaning robot for Ultra High Vacuum pipes, supporting high-tech sectors and contributing to the Einstein Telescope supply chain [1]. These examples illustrate how the program bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and market-ready solutions that can generate measurable economic and environmental benefits.
Future Opportunities and Strategic Regional Impact
Looking ahead, STIPP Call 3 opened on December 1, 2025, and will accept applications until March 31, 2026, providing another opportunity for SMEs and innovation actors in the Interreg Meuse Rhine area to submit new cross-border innovation projects [1]. The program operates year-round, offering continuous support for SME consortia within the Maas-Rijn region developing innovation projects related to societal challenges [2]. This sustained approach reinforces the region’s long-term competitiveness by creating an accessible pathway for SMEs to build cross-border partnerships and develop high-quality innovation projects [1]. The Meuse Rhine region’s strong industrial base and innovation ecosystems provide the foundation for these collaborations, though cross-border work can still present complexities that STIPP is specifically designed to address [1].