Partners :

  • Iniziativa Cube SRL (IT) (coordinateur)

  • Aerospace Valley (FR)

  • Corallia (EL)

  • AIMEN (ES)

  • ANFIA (IT)

  • CEAGA (ES)

  • CRN ISPC (IT)

  • Silicon Alps (AT), VSB (CZ)

Project cost : 2.5 M€

Project duration : 36 months (01.2024 – 12.2026)

Funding scheme : Horizon Europe, Cluster 4

Project description :
BRIDGESMEs aims to support European SMEs operating within the following five different ecosystems: mobility, transport and the automotive sector; aerospace and defence; electronics; culture and the creative industries; and tourism. The project aims to facilitate and forge alliances between manufacturing companies and technology solution providers, helping them to rethink their business models and operations in order to become more resilient, sustainable and people-centred.

FEEDBACK

 

Over the past year, Aerospace Valley organised the ‘BRIDGESMEs Hackathon’, the final round of which took place on 6 November 2025.

At this event, Safran Helicopter Engines presented one of its current technological challenges relating to the automated digitisation of engine logbooks; this challenge was taken up by a young start-up, which proposed a bespoke, operational AI-based solution to the major group. Discussions regarding a collaboration are currently underway between the two parties and are expected to be finalised in 2027.

Aerospace Valley also organised a pitch session on 23 March 2026, giving European solution providers the opportunity to present their technologies to manufacturing companies. Ten members of Aerospace Valley took part in this session, and two of them were able to present their solutions. This session led to six business matchmaking opportunities, three of which involved Aerospace Valley members.

Alongside these activities, Aerospace Valley took part in the First Peer Review Meeting entitled ‘From Awareness to Trust: Strategic Communication and Engagement Models for Industry 5.0’, held on 30 October 25, which highlighted the experience gained by Aerospace Valley during the SURE5.0 project.

Finally, BRIDGESMEs is continuing to provide technical support to the five Aerospace Valley members selected by the programme, namely: Agence Smart Industry, Akeros, PocPoc Tech, Ateliers Bigata and MecaBotix.