---
title: Open SPARK Challenge
url: "https://www.systra.com/en/open-spark-challenge/"
type: page
date_published: 2026-02-16
date_modified: 2026-07-02
schema:
  @type: WebPage
language: en-US
word_count: 440
reading_time: 3 min
canonical: "https://www.systra.com/en/open-spark-challenge/"
featured_image: "https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/header-site-web-scaled.png"
---

# Open SPARK Challenge

![Open SPARK Challenge](https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/header-site-web-scaled.png)

Open SPARK Challenge is **SYSTRA’s open innovation programme**, designed for
start-ups that want to make an impact in infrastructure and mobility. For the
2026 edition, the startup sourcing phase has now been completed, and SYSTRA
teams are currently working to identify the most relevant use cases for the
selected solutions.

## A practical, results-oriented experience

The Open SPARK Challenge allows the selected startups to
**maximise the commercial impact of their solution **and adapt it to SYSTRA’s
professions. They will receive end-to-end support: exploring use cases with our
teams, promoting their solution within our networks, and enhanced visibility for
winning projects to accelerate adoption.

## Topics sought

**The call for applications for the 2026 edition is now closed. **The identified
solutions cover the following themes:

### Sustainable solutions & environment

- Biodiversity
- Water management
- Carbon footprint
- Materials

### Digital & AI for engineering

- Automation
- Data intelligence & data analyses
- Streamlined data collection

### Smart maintenance & asset intelligence

- Predictive models
- Digital twins
- Data capture
- Anomaly detection
- Mobility engineering

### Innovative products for mobility engineering

- Innovative products
- New market needs

![mockup doc Open Spark (1)](https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mockup-doc-open-spark-1-1024x576.png)

**For more information on these topics, please refer to the document:**

[More details about the topics](https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/open-spark-2026-topics.pdf)

In return, the startups will benefit from **visibility** within the SYSTRA
Group, **support **in identifying use cases with our business lines,
**commercial development support **– access to our networks, business
sponsorship, customer feedback – and **integration **into our internal platform
to promote your solutions and activities.

But also:

- **Mentoring by SYSTRA experts** (technical, business, innovation)
- **Access to testing grounds and data** (depending on use case)
- **Rapid iterations **to validate hypotheses and facilitate scaling up

## The stages of the process

![SPARK_externe_en (1)](https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/spark_externe_en-1-1024x577.png)

**[Open image in full size](https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/spark_externe_en-1.png)**

## next steps?

Assessment of use cases and preparation for future collaborations with the
selected solutions.

\*Data processed by our partner
[Artefact](https://www.systra.com/en/open-spark-challenge/#artefact)

![jovana-kovacevic](https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/jovana-kovacevic.jpg)

### Any questions?

Contact
**[Jovana KOVACEVIC](https://www.systra.com/en/open-spark-challenge/spark@systra.com)**
, Open SPARK Challenge Manager

[Contact](https://www.systra.com/en/open-spark-challenge/spark@systra.com)

### Partnership with ARTEFACT for the Open SPARK Challenge

For this edition, SYSTRA has decided to join forces with Artefact as a partner
for the organisation, sourcing and deployment of the Open Spark programme, an
initiative that forms part of SYSTRA’s innovation programme.