Apply Now: Up to €200K for Startups Innovating in Sustainable Construction and AI
Table of Contents
About AMALTEA
The AMALTEA project, funded under Horizon Europe and running from 2025 to 2028, aims to transform the curtain-wall facade construction industry through the integration of cutting-edge AI, robotics, and data-driven technologies. AMALTEA offers successful applicants to test their solutions in three large-scale pilot sites across Europe. The project unites major construction firms, research institutions, and tech innovators to test and validate smart solutions in both controlled industrial settings and real-world construction environments. At its core, AMALTEA is committed to reducing energy consumption, material waste, and resource use — while scaling up high-impact technologies that enhance safety, efficiency, and quality throughout the building lifecycle.
About SMART ERA 1st Open Call for Pilots Add-ons
AMALTEA is calling on ambitious startups and SMEs to help reshape how we design and build facade systems, with the power of AI, robotics, and data-driven innovation.
The goal? To digitalise and decarbonise one of the most energy-intensive stages of construction: the curtain-wall facade.
Applicants are invited to propose solutions that tackle one of eight carefully defined technical challenges (please, read further), each representing a key area where transformation is most needed. These challenges span across the full innovation spectrum — from parametric design tools and AI-powered training datasets to digital twin integration, computer vision for quality control, and adaptive manufacturing techniques. Other focus areas include improving platform interoperability, creating reliable sustainability metrics, and advancing human-machine interfaces (HMI) for safer, smarter construction processes, more energy-efficient for the environment and nurturing for the employees.
Whether you’re working on software that simulates facade performance or robotics that can assemble glass panels on site — if your solution can accelerate Europe´s digital and green transition in construction, AMALTEA wants to hear from you.
Call open: 1 September 2025
Deadline: 7 November 2025 at 17:00 (Brussels Time)
Funding available:
- Up to €100,000 for software solutions
- Up to €200,000 for hardware solutions
(Max 70% funding for for-profits, 100% for non-profits)
Two Funding Instruments:
- 1st: Software Track: Up to 5 projects funded
- 2nd: Hardware Track: Up to 5 projects funded
However, the exact final number of proposals approved will be decided based on the overall quality of the proposals.
Why Apply?
AMALTEA offers a unique opportunity to bring your boldest innovations to life within the sustainable construction sector — with a particular focus on energy-efficient curtain-wall facades. As part of this cutting-edge EU initiative, selected startups and SMEs will benefit from:
- Up to €200,000 funding
- (Full funding available for non-profit organisations, 70% funding for for-profit SMEs);
- Access to three large-scale pilot sites across Europe, plus 1 digital pilot environment, to test and validate your solution in real-world conditions;
- Tailored technical and business mentoring from leading experts in construction, AI, and robotics;
- A structured 9 to 12-month acceleration programme (depending on your track: software or hardware);
- Integration into the AMALTEA digital ecosystem, supporting interoperability and scalability;
- Direct contribution to the EU Green Deal and help accelerate the digital transformation of the built environment.
Who can Apply?
Eligible applicants are individual SMEs and startups legally registered in EU Member States, Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
Applicants must:
- Be legally established prior to 30 October 2025
- Be independent entities (not part of the AMALTEA consortium)
- Meet the SME criteria defined by the European Commission
- Have innovative solutions aligned with one of the defined software or hardware challenges.
IMPORTANT! No consortia allowed for this call.
What kind of solutions is AMALTEA looking for?
To guide applicants, AMALTEA has outlined a set of eight challenges, each addressing a key obstacle or opportunity in the digital transformation of curtain-wall facade construction. Below are all the challenges, along with examples of the types of solutions that would align closely with the goals of the programme:
Challenge 1: Integrated Data Storage and Standardisation
1ST FUNDING INSTRUMENT: SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS FOR FACADE APPLICATIONS
Example: A cloud-based platform that enables architects, engineers, and construction teams to access and update facade system data in real-time—enhancing coordination and reducing information silos throughout the project lifecycle.
Challenge 2: Parametric Design for AI Training
1ST FUNDING INSTRUMENT: SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS FOR FACADE APPLICATIONS
Example: A parametric design tool—such as a Grasshopper script—that can automatically generate thousands of unique facade configurations, complete with physical attributes and energy performance simulations, to feed into AI models.
Challenge 3: Platform-Independent Web Interfaces
1ST FUNDING INSTRUMENT: SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS FOR FACADE APPLICATIONS
Example: A web-based graphical dashboard that provides instant visualisation of how different design geometries influence energy consumption, empowering decision-makers to choose the most sustainable options early in the design process.
Challenge 4: AI-Driven Quality Inspection in Robotics
2ND FUNDING INSTRUMENT: HARDWARE SOLUTIONS FOR FACADE APPLICATIONS
Example: A computer vision system embedded in robotic manufacturing cells to detect micro-defects—such as weld cracks—in real time, enabling faster and more reliable quality control during facade assembly.
Challenge 5: Adaptive Manufacturing Workflows
2ND FUNDING INSTRUMENT: HARDWARE SOLUTIONS FOR FACADE APPLICATIONS
Example: A smart control system that uses real-time sensor data to automatically recognise panel geometry and adjust robotic movements—eliminating the need for fixed templates or pre-programmed paths.
Challenge 6: Advanced sensor integration for precise positioning in mobile robot navigation and building operations
2ND FUNDING INSTRUMENT: HARDWARE SOLUTIONS FOR FACADE APPLICATIONS
Example: A mobile robotic platform equipped with 3D LiDAR, stereoscopic cameras, and total station integration that continuously merges sensor data into a high-resolution point cloud. This fused cloud enables the robot to detect supports, panels, and markers in real time, ensuring sub-centimetre accuracy during facade installation.
Challenge 7: Positioning and Navigation with Collision Detection
2ND FUNDING INSTRUMENT: HARDWARE SOLUTIONS FOR FACADE APPLICATIONS
Example: A ROS 2-based navigation software stack that combines AI-driven obstacle detection with real-time 3D mapping and path planning. The system provides two operating modes – automatic and assisted.
Challenge 8: Life cycle and cost assessment
1ST FUNDING INSTRUMENT: SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS FOR FACADE APPLICATIONS
Example: An AI-powered lifecycle analysis tool that integrates seamlessly with BIM platforms to automatically extract, enrich, and process fragmented environmental and cost data across the facade value chain. By combining predictive modelling with real-world data from manufacturing, installation, use, and end-of-life stages, the tool enables SMEs and manufacturers to perform fast, reliable LCA and LCC assessments.
Proposals must target one of the official challenges and demonstrate readiness to integrate with AMALTEA’s broader ecosystem and pilot environments.
Applicants should address one of the eight AMALTEA challenges and aim to advance technologies from TRL 3-5 to TRL 6-7.
How to Apply?
- Download the open call guidelines document from the official site.
- Read carefully all the applicable rules and pre-requisites.
- Identify the specific challenge in line with your expertise.
- Submit your application before Deadline – no later than 7 November 2025 at 17:00 Brussels Time.
IMPORTANT!
- Applications must be submitted via the AMALTEA OnePass application system;
- Only proposals in English are admitted;
- Each applicant can only be funded once.
If you have any technical problems or doubts when filling in the online Application Form, you can contact support@getonepass.eu or info@amaltea-project.eu.
Evaluation & Selection Process
Evaluation and Selection Process for AMALTEA Evaluation is structured in five phases, the last one of which would culminate in the Formal Check and Sub-grant Agreement signing:
- PHASE 1: Eligibility Check
- PHASE 2: In/Out of Scope Screening
- PHASE 3: External Evaluation by three experts (Criteria: Excellence, Impact, Implementation)
- PHASE 4: Consensus Meeting
- PHASE 5: Jury Day (Pitch session)
IMPORTANT!
To write a competitive proposal, get acquainted with the evaluation and selection process in detail via the open call guidelines document.
Thresholds:
- Minimum score of 3/5 per criterion
- Total score of at least 10/15
Important Dates:
- 1st InfoDay Session: 24 June 2025 (Watch the replay)
- Submission Deadline: 7 November 2025 at 17:00 (Brussels Time)
- Remote Interviews (Jury Day): TBD (after Consensus Meeting)
- Acceleration Programme: Software: 9 months | Hardware: 12 months
Final Thoughts
The AMALTEA 1st Open Call presents a valuable opportunity for European and associated countries´ innovators to bring their AI and robotics-driven solutions to real-world construction environments. With strong technical and business support, participation in AMALTEA will surely accelerate your commercial readiness and EU-wide impact.
More Information
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