L4MS launches its 2nd Open Call: 1.5M equity-free funding for logistics automation in manufacturing
Call for application submission for SMEs on intra-factory logistics automation projects (L4MS)
One of the key challenges for manufacturing companies is to grow effectiveness and productivity of internal processes. Europe is committed to address the challenge and further strengthen small-medium enterprises (SME) competitiveness on the global market through financial instruments to support SME quality transformation through robotic and automation solutions and implementation. A special project has been developed to foster SME access to finance to create and implement intra-factory logistics solutions.
Applications can be submitted by SME or mid-cap (company with less than €100 mln. Eur turnover and less than 500 employees) or technology providers (developers, system integrators, science and technology institutions). Obviously, solutions to the problem are complex and require engagement of numerous players in the field, accumulated competences, experience and knowledge. Therefore, all application participants shall be grouped into consortiums/teams (up to 3 entities) and the maximum level of financing per project/consortium is up to 250.000 Eur.
Deadline for submission is 30th November, 2019.
At this stage the open call is launched and SMEs and solutions developers are invited to submit their application. The key in the process lies with an SME which has to demonstrate its commitment and desire to start technological transformation of their processes in intra-factory logistics.
More information on the project L4MS and application submission: https://l4ms-registration.fundingbox.com/
Consultations:
Join our events in Kaunas and Vilnius, Lithuania on 3rd and 23rd October and hear about practical cases developed in Lithuania:
- Kaunas event (3rd October): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/robotu-diena-kaunas-registration-74072042473
- Vilnius event (23rd October): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/robotu-diena-vilnius-registration-74077904005
Consultancy support for writing a proposal is also available. Contact our partner sander.vandermolen@civitta.lt for more information.
Also please consult with LRA expert on any matters regarding L4MS call: Daumantas Simėnas (daumantas@ltrobotics.eu; +370 617 73339)
Official L4MS Press Release:
L4MS (Logistics for manufacturing SMEs) opens its second Open Call on September 1, 2019. Finnish Small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMEs), mid-caps, automation and robotics providers are invited to apply to the Acceleration program. The program aims at developing new intralogistics solutions with mobile robots and OPIL IoT platform.
The goal of L4MS is to provide manufacturing industry inexpensive way to deploy advanced technologies and automation to factory floor logistics. L4MS offers SMEs tools that can help reduce the installation cost and time of mobile robots significantly.
L4MS acceleration program has developed an Industrial IoT platform OPIL for logistics (Open Platform for Innovations in Logistics) to enhance communication between different factory floor elements. This turns an operation environment into a flexible and responsive logistic system. Introducing a 3D simulator (Visual Components) to the process enables virtual testing before final investment decision and highly cost-effective deployment of configurable human-robot logistics solutions.
Read more about OPIL here
How to apply to L4MS?
Manufacturing companies facing logistical challenges in their factories can apply together with a system integrator, automation provider, robot manufacturer, Research organisation or Digital Innovation Hub and submit their proposal as a consortium of 2-3 partners. The most promising Application Experiments with highest innovation potential will get access to:
Equity-free funding up to €250,000 per team, business and technology mentoring, access to state-of-the-art testing facilities, training to re-skill workers and finance for scaling up the new business model.
The selected experiments will take part in an extensive and personalised training programme and build their experiment relying on OPIL technology to completely virtualize intra-factory logistics automation and drastically accelerate the innovation process in this area. Acceleration program is divided into three stages and lasts 2-11 months.
“If companies are willing to dive headfirst to improve their logistics processes, this program is worth joining. L4MS is not just about bringing an AGV or a robot into the manufacturing unit: It’s about looking at the whole logistics process and thinking how, when and what kind of solutions are worth your time”, says COO Kristo Timberg from Estonian AS ChemiPharm, one of three companies that joined L4MS as pilot experiments.
Read more about 2018 Open Call winners
L4MS offers support in the matchmaking process
FundingBox offers matchmaking services to help companies find the right partners for the Application Experiments. Companies can also submit their interest individually. Submit your interest for matchmaking HERE.
If you are a manufacturer looking to boost your production capacity and improve your logistics system, L4MS acceleration program is for you!
APPLY to Open Call 1 Sep – 30 Nov 2019
Guide for Applicants, Frequently Asked Questions and Application form
If you have questions, please contact:
Kati Nikopensius, Open Call Manager, Fundingbox
helpdesk@l4ms.eu
Ali Muhammad, L4MS Project Coordinator, VTT
ali.muhammad(a)vtt.fi
Contact your nearest L4MS representative:
project.l4ms.eu/Digital-Innovation-Hubs
Project funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union, Grant Agreement No. 767642.
