Data Space Accelerator helps SMEs join Catena-X with up to €30,000

With the Data Space Accelerator, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) has launched a study to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in joining the Catena-X data space in 2026. Depending on the selected use case(s), participating companies will receive financial remuneration of €15,000 or €30,000 net. Requirements include registration in the data space, proof of successful data exchange, and participation in an accompanying survey. The study is being implemented by the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA), the Catena-X Automotive Network e.V., and Cofinity-X.

Over the past few years, Catena-X has established itself as a data space for the secure and sovereign exchange of information along the automotive value chain. Companies that already participate benefit from more efficient processes, greater transparency, and closer collaboration across the supply chain. Major manufacturers such as Ford, BMW, the Volkswagen Group, and Mercedes-Benz are already exchanging data through Catena-X at high volume, as are numerous major suppliers. Many small and medium-sized enterprises, however, have so far hesitated because getting started initially involves effort and investment.

This is exactly where the Data Space Accelerator comes in: the study is designed to lower entry barriers by combining structured onboarding, a focus on key use cases, and results-based financial remuneration of up to €30,000 net.

The Data Space Accelerator is aimed at companies that:

• Plan to join Catena-X in 2026, in particular SMEs
• Organisations with limited data space experience
• Teams aiming to implement a concrete use case such as Company Certificate Management, Product Carbon Footprint, Traceability, Demand and Capacity Management, PURIS, and more

The study is intended to examine the economic benefits of data spaces using Catena-X as an example. Financial remuneration for participating companies is directly linked to practical implementation. Only those who complete the process in 2026 and demonstrate practical know-how will receive funding. The amount of remuneration depends on the selected Catena-X use-case path.

Getting started with Company Certificate Management

Company Certificate Management (CCM) is the mandatory first use case within the study. In practice, automotive companies today must repeatedly exchange and maintain identical certificates with each partner individually — for example, certificates relating to quality, safety, or sustainability such as ISO 9001 or IATF 16949. The effort involved is high, as is the error rate caused by extensive manual work. The Catena-X use case makes it possible to provide this information once in a standardized format and share it with relevant partners at the click of a button. It also includes automated notifications when certificates expire. This significantly reduces administrative effort while creating a reliable, up-to-date, and transparent data basis and, as a result, increases quality and diligence across the industry.

For companies, this use case offers a quick and tangible entry point into the data space. This first step is financially remunerated through the Data Space Accelerator with €15,000 net.

Extended use-case path

Companies receive a further €15,000 net if, in addition to CCM, they implement another use case. These include Product Carbon Footprint (PCF), Digital Product Passport, Traceability, Demand and Capacity Management, and others.

These use cases address key challenges in the automotive industry in the areas of sustainability, quality, and supply chain resilience. At the same time, Catena-X is positioning itself as an ideal solution for meeting current and future regulatory requirements for transparent, standardized, and trustworthy collaboration across the supply chain.

Blueprint for data spaces in other industries

The Data Space Accelerator is coordinated by the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA) in partnership with Catena-X e.V. and Cofinity-X. The results of the study are also intended to generate insights for the Manufacturing-X initiative, which is implementing data ecosystems modeled on Catena-X in other industries such as chemicals and electronics.

SMEs play a central role here: the full value potential of data spaces only unfolds when companies across the entire supply chain participate at scale, not just the major players.

Information about the Data Space Accelerator, as well as the application option, is available at www.data-space-accelerator.com