The new Open Call for start-ups ‘Paving the way to 5G-enabled tailored services for real-life port-city areas optimisation’ is  now open! With this new Open Call, Start-ups and SMEs have the opportunity to participate in the 5G-LOGINNOV consortium and to be part of an exciting project working on improving sustainability and contributing to 5G enabled next generation operation systems of ports and logistics hubs in Europe and beyond. 5G-LOGINNOV brings together 15 partners to evaluate and showcase the added value of 5G technology for logistics and port operations in three Living Labs: Athens (Greece), Hamburg (Germany) and Luka Koper (Slovenia). The Open Call will be open until 30 June 2021.

The 5G-LOGINNOV project started in September 2020 and is co-funded by the European Commission, under the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme. ‘5G-LOGINNOV paves the way towards efficient freight and traffic operations at ports and logistics hubs by using new innovative concepts, applications and devices supported by 5G technologies, Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, next generation traffic management, CCAM (Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility) and the 5G logistics corridor’, says ERTICO Senior Manager and 5G-LOGINNOV project coordinator Dr Eusebiu Catana.

The project has a strong interest in the emergence of new market players, such as SMEs and start-ups, taking advantage of the growing adoption of distributed cloud computing technologies in 5G networks and its potential for creating new innovative services in the logistics and Industry 4.0 sectors. According to Eusebiu Catana ‘5G-LOGINNOV boosts ports and logistics hubs operations with involvement of new innovative market actors including high-tech SMEs and start-ups as future pillars of economic development and business innovation’.

Selected Open Call applicants  will have the opportunity to:

  • investigate and gather experience with 5G based technologies for their use case;
  • deploy and validate their solution in real operating environment;
  • explore technical benefits;
  • exploit information discovered;
  • develop new business opportunities;
  • present their solutions at major international events.

All the start-ups participating in the Open Call will be included in ERTICO Start-up Initiative and will be engaged in innovation opportunities linked to 5G-LOGINNOV developments. The five selected winners of the Open Call will be presented in a panel session at the ITS World Congress in Hamburg, taking place from 11 to 15 October 2021. They will also be incorporated in the 5G-LOGINNOV consortium through a service contract providing a global price of max. € 50.000 (VAT included) each.

Start-ups in the form of SMEs legally established in an eligible country will be able to submit their applications until 30 June 2021 to: OpenCall_applications@outlook.com. The selection process will take place in September, with all applicants receiving a response by 17 September 2021.

For further information on the 5G-LOGINNOV project, the Open Call and the conditions of participation, please have a look at the dedicated project website, the Open Call Tender Conditions or send an email to: OpenCall_helpdesk@outlook.com.