An innovation partnership is a contract whose purpose is the research and development of innovative products, services or works and the subsequent acquisition of the resulting products, services or works that meet a need that cannot be satisfied by the acquisition of products, services or works already available on the market.
New or significantly improved works, supplies or services are considered to be innovative. The innovative nature may consist in the implementation of new production or construction processes, a new marketing method or a new organisational method in the practices, organisation of the workplace or external relations of the business.