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Brokerage Events

What is a brokerage event?

Brokerage events are one of the most favored forms of partner search and consortium building in Horizon Europe. A matchmaking event is a quick and easy way to meet potential cooperation partners. Ahead of the meeting, participants upload profiles, expertise offers and cooperation ideas. Based on these, participants book meetings with each other. At the event, participants meet at high speed, in brief 15-20 minute meetings. 

When and where are brokerage events?

The largest brokerage events take place at the European Commission's major Horizon Europe events. At each of these events, Ideal-ist, as a network of national contact points, works in collaboration with the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) to organise a brokerage with Face2Face meetings for participants.

Each year the European Commission (EC) Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content & Technology (DG CONNECT) organises a major event for the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) research, development and innovation community. For each event Ideal-ist works closely with the European Commission to design and offer a set of National Contact Point (NCP) activities that are of value to the participants. 

There are multiple types of EC events:

  • ICT conference: these are large events attracting 4000-6000 participants. Such conferences and networking event are typically the main events on Horizon 2020 in the years of work programme launches. They target a variety of participants – including policy makers, researchers, industry, and venture capitalists, thus including a multitude of activities, such as a policy conference, work programme sessions, extensive networking sessions, a large exhibition, and a variety of side events.
  • Proposers’ Days: are typically smaller (without the multitude of activities of ICT events of alternate years, such as a policy conference, work programme sessions, extensive networking sessions and a large exhibition), and dedicated to proposers, thus including work programme networking sessions, a small number of information sessions, and a smaller exhibition. 
  • Marathon online information days: since the COVID pubic events related to the launch of the work programmes/calls have also moved online. These events are also typically accompanied by brokerage events that allow online Face2Face meetings per work programme area. They attract around 2000 participants in Digital. Also, Ideal-ist tries to ensure that participants can continue booking online meetings beyond the event date and up to the call deadlines - this is referred to as long-term networking
  • Thematic brokerage events: Ideal-ist supports on-site and on-line information days offering brokerage facilities, along with project idea checks and  Horizon Europe consultation.

Where can I find information about these brokerage events?

How can I support my community?

Tell your participants to be visible! At the Face2Face brokerage events, they can publicize their expertise and and project ideas, and meet with others to set up future Horizon 2020 cooperation. You can advise them on Horizon 2020 call requirements and help them build attractive profiles.

Read our Brokerage Event Guideline (updated for each event)