Martel Innovate

Name

Martel Innovate

Legal name

Martel GmbH

Website

https://martel-innovate.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Martel Innovate is a Swiss digital innovation consultancy that helps research institutions, SMEs, large enterprises, and public bodies secure EU funding and execute ICT research, policy, and strategic communication projects across Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubendorf

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. EU Funding Consulting Services: Proposal writing, project management, and consortium coordination services for European Commission-funded projects including Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, H2020, EIC, and CEF programmes. Revenue is generated through professional service engagements supporting clients from proposal stage through project execution.
2. Communication and Media Services: Strategic communication, branding, video production, website development, and event management services for technology companies, research institutions, and public organizations. Production packages include interview packages, event coverage, animated explainer videos, brand development, and corporate videos.
3. Research and Innovation Lab Services: Digital transformation consulting, technology roadmapping, prototyping, cloud migration, data analytics, and open-source governance services. Technical R&D activities including custom development, IoT prototyping, and technical assessments.
4. Training Programmes: Specialized training on European funding rules, science and technology communication, and advanced ICT topics. Includes Horizon Europe training packages, proposal writing workshops, EU project management courses, and communication training.
5. Policy Services: Policy analysis, regulatory monitoring, legislative intelligence, and policy-aligned proposal development. Services include monitoring EU priorities, providing regulatory insights, building policy tools, and policy PR support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Martel Innovate is a digital innovation consultancy that helps research institutions, SMEs, large enterprises, and public sector clients secure EU funding and manage collaborative ICT research and innovation projects. The firm delivers an integrated portfolio spanning EU funding proposal support and project coordination, strategic communication and media services, in-house ICT research and prototyping through Martel Lab, policy analysis and open-source governance consulting, and tailored training programs.

Product overview

Martel Innovate is a digital innovation agency offering a comprehensive suite of consulting services rather than a single product. The company operates across multiple service lines: Martel Consulting (EU Funding, Policy, Digital Sustainability), Martel Media (Strategic Communication, Branding, Video Production, Websites, Events), and Martel Lab (Custom R&D, Cloud-IoT Prototyping, Open Source Solutions). Services are modular and tailored to client needs, combining expertise from consulting, media and lab divisions. The company also developed Orchestra Cities, an open smart city services platform, and participates in numerous EU-funded research projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EU Funding Consulting End-to-end support for clients to identify, apply for, and manage EU funding opportunities (e.g., Horizon Europe). Includes proposal drafting, consortium building, partner search, and project management office (PMO) services during execution. Targeted at research institutions, SMEs, large enterprises, and public sector organizations across Europe.
• Strategic Communication Services Integrated communication offering covering branding and visual identity, video/multimedia production, websites and SEO, events and community building, and media outreach and visibility. Designed to help clients disseminate project outcomes, build brand presence, and engage target audiences.
• Martel Lab Research and Innovation In-house ICT research and innovation lab delivering custom R&D, prototype development, and open-source strategy and governance consulting. Areas of expertise include 5G/6G, AI, IoT, cloud and edge computing, microservices, container orchestration, and big data analytics.
• Policy Analysis Services Evidence-based policy research, foresight, and analysis delivered to European institutions, governmental bodies, and public sector clients. Supports policy design, regulatory development, and stakeholder engagement.
• Training Programs Tailored training programs and capacity-building courses on EU funding, digital transformation, open-source governance, and related topics. Delivered to research institutions, SMEs, public administrations, and large enterprises.
• Science Communication as a Service Multi-format content production combining communication strategy, content calendar, social media management, and multimedia content creation. Targeted at scientific and research organizations needing structured dissemination support.
• Orchestra Cities Open platform for Smart City Services developed by Martel Innovate, enabling sustainable urban development through digital technology. Aggregates smart-city capabilities for cities and municipalities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% average success rate for EU funding proposals
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, supporting and strategic.

• FIWARE FoundationcoreOthersActive member of FIWARE Foundation, which develops the open-source FIWARE platform for smart solutions. Martel uses FIWARE as a core technology in IoT projects and contributes to the ecosystem.
• BDVA (Big Data Value Association)coreOthersActive member of BDVA, the European industry-driven Big Data Value association. Collaboration on data-driven AI and big data innovation initiatives.
• Digital for PlanetflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMartel founded Digital for Planet (D4P), a non-profit association mobilising research, innovation and policy efforts for human-centred technologies supporting planetary sustainability. Martel and D4P collaborate on projects and white papers including the EU Cyber Resilience Act publication.
• 6G-IA (6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association)coreOthersActive member of 6G-IA, leading the European 6G research ecosystem. Martel participates in 6G SNS OPS project and contributes to 6G standards development.
• one6GsupportingOthersMember of one6G, an initiative focused on next-generation mobile communications standards and research coordination.
• NEM (Networked Energy for a Smarter World)supportingOthersMember of NEM, an initiative supporting smart grid and energy management technologies through ICT innovation.
• European Digital SME AlliancecoreOthersMember of European Digital SME Alliance, representing digital SMEs in European policy discussions and promoting digital transformation.
• ADRA (AI, Data and Robotics Association)supportingOthersMember of ADRA, the European association for AI, Data and Robotics stakeholders shaping the ECSO ecosystem.
• Eclipse FoundationstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerEclipse Foundation Europe GmbH works with Martel on EU-funded R&D projects. The collaboration combines professionalism, in-depth knowledge of EU-funded research, and proactive attitude for smooth project execution.
• European CommissionflagshipOthersLong-standing partnership with the European Commission through Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, H2020, and other EC programmes. Martel coordinates and participates in EC-funded projects and contributes to policy development.
• OpenForum EuropestrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpenForum Europe considers Martel one of their most trusted and professional partners, with expertise in managing and delivering EU-funded R&D projects of consistently high quality.
• Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)supportingOthersSwiss SERI co-funds certain projects alongside the EU, such as the AIXPERT project (€7.5M initiative co-funded by EU and SERI).

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Capgemini Engineering: Large global IT/engineering consultancy with established EU public-sector and innovation funding advisory practices - overlapping with Martel on EU funding consulting and ICT R&D services, but operating at vastly greater scale and breadth.
• ICF International: Global consultancy with significant EU public-sector, policy research, and innovation funding practices - comparable to Martel's policy and EU advisory services but at much larger scale and across broader geographies.
• Netcompany-Intrasoft: European IT services firm with major EU institutional and funding programme delivery contracts - comparable to Martel on EC project delivery but with much larger scale and broader portfolio.
• PwC EU Public Sector: Global Big 4 firm with a dedicated EU grants, innovation and public-sector advisory practice - comparable to Martel on EU funding strategy but at significantly greater scale and pricing power.

Direct peers

• European Dynamics: Greek IT consultancy with a substantial EU institutional practice including project management of EC-funded programmes - directly comparable to Martel on EU project coordination and IT consulting services, though larger in scale.
• accelopment AG: Switzerland-based EU project management and grants consultancy serving research institutions, SMEs, and industry partners - directly overlapping Martel's core EU funding consulting niche, with similar size and European footprint.
• Trust-IT Services: Italian consultancy and tech firm providing EU-funded project coordination, ICT consulting, and communications support - overlapping with Martel on EU funding consulting, ICT R&D, and strategic communication services.
• ttopstart: Netherlands-based consultancy focused on EU grants, scientific writing and project management for research-driven organisations - directly comparable to Martel on EU funding services, geographic market, and customer segments.
• TIMELEX (Time.lex): Belgian law and policy consultancy specialised in EU digital, tech-regulation and data-policy advisory - directly comparable to Martel's Policy Services division and EU regulatory monitoring work.

Emerging players

• BABLE GmbH: Germany-based smart cities innovation and EU funding consultancy - comparable niche to Martel's smart cities projects (Orchestra Cities, FIWARE) but smaller scale and narrower thematic focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/martel_innovate
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPQ6OgjTFG4deMO2YM7641g
• Facebookfacebook.com/martelinnovate
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/martel-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Martel Innovate