EDIH Saxony

Germany: Saxony

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Leipzig is home to many well-known SMEs, big corporates, startups and research institutes in the fields of energy, smart city and ehealth. Therefore, the German government acknowledged that this region will shape the digitalization of these sectors as Smart Infrastructure Hub Leipzig. There are many good reasons for innovators in these sectors to come and stay in Leipzig, e.g.: A likeminded community of established innovators from SMEs, big corporates, dynamic startups and recognized researchers (find examples below) A comprehensive innovation strategy with numerous different projects supported by the EU, the German State, the Free State of Saxony as well as the City of Leipzig A vibrant, affordable and lovely city that belongs to the fastest growing regions in Europe only one hour south of Berlin   The Smart Infrastructure Hub is a brand that links many players and projects in the fields of energy, smart city, ehealth and cross-sectional technologies. A regional hub agency links and moderates between those actors, building a strong network that is open for new partners and projects as well. The Hub includes cluster organizations, an accelerator, investors, corporates, different events and many more The hub is located in the 1700 m² space of SpinLab - The HHL Accelerator at Leipzigs Old Cotton Mill. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

EDI.it - Digital Innovation Ecosystem

Italy: Lazio

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

EDI is the Digital Innovation Hub of Confcommercio Imprese per l'Italia, a non-profit organization founded in 1945 which is the largest national trade association with more than 690.000 SMEs member companies, 6000 employees and a broad network of offices spread throughout Italy.
 

EDI is part of the Digital Innovation Hub national strategy launched by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development within the "Piano Nazionale Impresa 4.0" (the national “Enterprises Strategy 4.0”) which specifically provided for the creation of Digital Innovation Hubs of national strategic interest promoted by the most representative national trade associations. 

 

The main purpose of EDI is to carry out a structured program of activities with a not-for-profit objectives to help the broad adoption of advanced digital technologies by businesses - especially start-ups, SMEs and mid-caps - and serve as access points to innovative technologies and latest digital capacities (e.g. artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, blockchain, internet of things, etc.) through raise-awareness, specialized training and innovative services which are needed for a successful digital transformation.

 

In order to better intercept SMEs and maximize the impact at local level, EDI has a network of local structures throughout the national territory - the so called Spin - and develops an innovation ecosystem at national and local level with universities, research centre, large companies businesses, public administrations and other innovation actors. The nature of EDI let it operate as a Digital Innovation Hub at a national and local level, also being a point of contact for innovation-oriented actions from other European regions.

  Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

EDI DIH

Latvia: Latvia

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

EDI in Riga, Latvia is a non-profit public research institute founded in 1960. Currently, EDI is specializing in the development of Smart Embedded Cooperative Systems in fields of: health, mobility, space, production, social challenges, safety and security. EDI has more than 80 researchers working on innovative technologies in electronics and computer science. At the moment, main fields of competence includes signal and image processing (incl. AI), development of cyber-physical and embedded systems, intelligent transport systems (incl. connected and automated driving), hardware and software prototyping, system integration, wireless sensor networks (incl. IoT), intelligent devices, development of sensors, radars, biometrics, wearables, precise timing, robotics, etc.

EDI has an unique state-of-the-art infrastructure to support local and international SMEs. For example, EDI has a 100+ node heterogeneous sensor network and wireless network testbed distributed around 7-floor building for validation and research in sensor network protocols & wireless network protocols. Additionally 50 mobile nodes are available on site for on site deplyments (e.g. in customers factory). Besides, EDI has WSN hardware prototyping test bench EDImote developed with flexibility of prototyping, performance monitoring and hardware and software debug assistance in mind (enabling fast prototyping for virtually any hardware). Also, high performance workstations for computation, signal processing, visualization and design (Matlab, Simulink, Labview, Quartus, Tanner Tools Pro, etc.) are available for use. PCB designing and simulation tools Altium Designer and fast prototyping systems (LPKF ProtoMat-S62, LPKF MiniContac-RS, Xytronic-IR620 Preheater, Unox thermal equipment) for multilayer PCB design. Laboratory equipment: Spectrum analyzers up to 20GHz (e.g. ROHDE&SCHWARZ-FSU8), Arbitrary waveform signal generators (e.g. Agilent-N6031A), Digital oscilloscopes up to 50GHz (e.g. 25GSPS Tektronix DPO70604). Mixed signal oscilloscopes (e.g. Tektronix MSO4104, Tektronix MSO4032). Portable spectrum analyzers and oscilloscopes, etc. Last but not least, EDI has High Performance Computer (HPC) with dozens of Nvidia GPUs; Vibration and shock test platform, climate test chamber, Professional IR/Thermal camera, Professional 3D printer, automated-driving car platform, etc.

EDI has implemented several national projects with local industries (incl. SMEs) thus supporting companies (e.g. KEPP EU, HansaMatrix, Square Audio, Squalio, Lattelecom, etc.) to digitaize their industry. 

On January 1st, 2019 EDI started H2020 IA project called TRINITY which aim to create a network of multidisciplinary and synergistic local digital innovation hubs (DIHs) composed of research centers, companies, and university groups that cover a wide range of topics that can contribute to agile production: advanced robotics as the driving force and digital tools, data privacy and cyber security technologies to support the introduction of advanced robotic systems in the production processes. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

Ecipa Nordest Hub

Italy: Veneto

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The Digital Innovation Hub Veneto is managed by Ecipa Scarl- a non profit organisation - on behalf of CNA (Confederazione Nazionale Artigiani e piccole e medie imprese) Veneto.

Ecipa, as a service provider of CNA for the North East regions in Italy has been designated in October 2017 as the Management organisation (with a specific department: Ecipa Nordest Hub) that provides support to SMEs in their digital transformation acting as a spider in the ecosystem that facilitate the digital innovation od SMES.

Ecipa Nordest Hub services are addressed to companies (mainly small and micro enterprises) of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige.

Mainly focused on IoT, cloud computing, 3D printing, the Hub deals with:

Awareness workshop about the potential of the digital transformation
Demonstration activities to practically approach digital technologies (eg: prototyping),
Education, trainings for SMEs who want to approach digital transformation,
Consulting services on how to introduce digital optimization or innovation (support to move from TRL1 to TRL6)
Support in funding opportunities for digital innovation
Networking among relevant stakeholders

It is part of the DIH.net community (Funding box community) with the S3HUbsinCE project, which connects different DIH in Central Europe in order to enhance S3 strategies in order to keep them as closest to the market as possible.

Ecipa Nordest Hub supports companies following three steps:

First contact: we meet companies, providers and experts during events or workshops and they ask for a support or further details about our skilled services
Interviews and plans: we carry out a “company screening” (digital assessment included) and then we define together the strategies and the main changes to be adopted, in cooperation with the experts needed for the specific case
“On air” transformation: we start to implement the changes through tailored actions in cooperation with actors of our eco-systems in order to achieve the best performances.

  Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

E-Secure Transactions Cluster - TES

France: Normandy

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

A cluster that supports digital innovation

Normandy's Digital Competitive Cluster was created in 2005. Its aim is to become the reference in terms of innovation concerning high digital technology in the fields of Health, Tourism, Administration and Agriculture.

The mission of TES is to imagine and co-conceive the future ways of using technology in these fields. It identifies the needs and key challenges in order to develop innovation programmes that lead to improvements in terms of use, turnover, employment and region promotion.

Security and reliability

Drawing on its network of members and partners, the TES Cluster supports innovative and collaborative projects from the idea stage to product launch. Its priority is the security, interoperability and reliability of its innovations, thus rallying the New Industrial France programme for Data economy, Smart objects and Digital Trust.

The TES Cluster adapts to its markets, its environment and its members. It reveals technological innovations in fast-growing industries with strong national significance. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

Dinapsis DIH

Spain: Valencia

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Dinapsis DIH Mision:

New technological space to operate, develop and show the most advanced solutions for sustainable territorial management, with the main objective of offering digital solutions that improve the quality of life of people and cities.

Dinapsis DIH vision:

To develop the digital economy, technology and knowledge-based industries of the future, helping to develop digital solutions at companies that improve the quality of life of the people who live and visit the cities in the province of Alicante.

Dinapsis DIH focus:

Digital transformation SMEs in the province of Alicante (99% of all companies), with the aim of improving the quality of life of cities and allow the growth of SMEs. To this end, Dinapsis DIH will establish a work plan with all the territorial stakeholders that are already part of DIH (Competence Centers, Business Associations, Chamber of Commerce, Regional Entities, Reference Companies)

Three areas of activity:

• An operational Hub capable of managing, in real time, services and assets of the integrated water cycle managed by Hidraqua;

• An open and collaborative 'Lab' of innovation, an space where universities, start-ups and entrepreneurs can test their products in collaboration with institutions (mainly Cities), citizens and the private sector.

• Resulting in all this being a technological showcase of the city and the province where to project all the innovative initiatives.

These areas are focused on three main fields of action: 'Smart water' for the development of solutions with real-time response capability of service management; 'Smart environment' to provide security, continuity and quality in supply; And 'Smart Cities' for the promotion of cities that develop innovative initiatives.

We promote artificial intelligence solutions for cities, the first programme in Europe devoted to AI for Cities (AI4Cities).

We are a non-for-profit organization. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

DIHV

Italy: Lazio

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

In January 2018 the "Virtual Digital Innovation Hub" was set up by SI-IES Ltd in the wake of the national "Piano Industria 4.0" presented by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development. The DIHV is a non-profit organization (Fiscal Code 96446580589) represented by high profile professionals able to provide 360 degrees support to companies, especially SMEs.

The Virtual Digital Innovation Hub meets on a monthly basis, with the involvement of established or emerging players in the business field, in order to identify the areas of common interest on which to intervene to facilitate the process of Digital Transformation. Since the onset of the activities, meetings have been held, among these, with the tlc, health, education, financing, insurance and banking sectors, with company, enterprise, and SMEs, with the academic sector, with public administration and with innovative startups in the fields of ICT,  Digital Innovation, Cybersecurity and Distributed Ledger Technology, defining a solid network of contacts that allows to operate on the entire supply chain of the business consulting process integrating skills from a variety of qualified subjects. Monitoring of digital transformation on regional, national and international scale and the access to specialist expertise is also ensured thanks to the involvement of a set of experts from industry and academia (among which twelve participants who regularly attends the initiatives and five thematic experts).

One of the objectives of the DIHV, in preparation phase, is to create a synergistic workplace for professionals involved, so to enable them to communicate with the territory and with SMEs, training institutions, technopoles and digital startups, taking into consideration employment issues. The intent is to feed and improve corporate communication and strategic planning, always trying to complete horizontal and vertical paths and achieve innovative and competitive processes, products and services.

Also, DIHV intends to contribute to the construction of competences for the growth of human capital, providing access to advanced and strategic training and to the development of skills necessary for the new profiles of Enterprise 4.0.Overall, DIHV intends to operate as a catalyst for digital ecosystems able to support companies with challenging and competitive elements, consistent with Digitisation of European Industry.

Services and support activities for local SMEs:

business dissemination 4.0
innovation strategies
business planning 4.0
funding sources
legal advice
marketing and communication
Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

DIHOST - Digital Innovation Hub OST

Austria: Lower Austria

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

DIHOST provides non-profit support for the digital transformation of SMEs in the Eastern part of Austria.

It offers access to digital know-how and test infrastructure of 5 knowledge providers and involves business & innovation support organisations (Chamber of Commerce, clusters, etc.) to reach out to SMEs in four regions in Austria (Lower Austria, Burgenland, Vienna, Upper Austria). The consortium is coordinated by the Lower Austrian business agency ecoplus.

Aiming to counteract identified deficits of regional SMEs in digital transformation, the approach of DIHOST is based on the dissemination of good practice and exchange of experience and a multifaceted and demand-oriented upskilling programme which empowers regional SMEs to start their first digitalisation pilot projects in cooperation with digitalisation experts from RTD and innovation support institutions.

DIHOST focuses on the following key technological areas:

Internet of Things (IoT), sensors & connectivity
Blockchain technologies & IT security
Additive Manufacturing / 3D printing

These three key technology fields are complemented by selected topics referring to data processing & visualisation, virtual & augmented reality as a cross-cutting fields of digital innovation.

Within the above mentioned key technology fields, DIHOST target groups, i.e. mainly regional SMEs, can choose individual service packages starting from from a low-threshold entry level up to support in developing individual digital innovation projects and/or strategic support for mastering digital transformation of the whole enterprise. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

DIHNAMIC - Digital Innovation Hub for Nouvelle-Aquitaine Manufacturing Industry Community

France: New Aquitaine

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

DIHNAMIC - Digital Innovation Hub for Nouvelle-Aquitaine Manufacturing Industry Community

DIHNAMIC supports Nouvelle-Aquitaine region’s industrial companies, notably SMEs in their production and business processes modernisation in line with the digital and organisational transformation policies and the Factory of the Future programme both driven by the regional council of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. DIHNAMIC is a non-profit multi-stakeholders regional cooperation, coordinated by Aerospace Valley, already gathering more 25 partners.

The core consortium of the DIHNAMIC is composed of the following actors:

Clusters:

Aerospace Valley cluster (coordinator)

Aerospace Valley is the biggest European competitiveness cluster dedicated to aeronautics, space and embedded systems gathering more than 840 members from industry and research including amongst others 500 SMEs as well as large corporate groups and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), the major aerospace research establishments, engineering schools and local authorities.
The purpose of Aerospace Valley is to leverage the competitiveness and visibility of its members, both on the national and international scene. The core expertise of Aerospace Valley is based on three services: networking, R&D and innovation, and companies business and resources development.

Alpha RLH cluster

Alpha RLH is the Photonics and Microwaves Competitiveness Cluster in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It gathers 253 members and is working with companies and laboratories in setting-up, evaluating and funding innovative projects. The cluster addresses focal areas of the Factory of the Future such as the role of humans in factories, cobots, virtual reality or digitalization.

Aquitaine Robotics cluster

Aquitaine Robotics structures the regional robotics sector, supports collaborative R&D projects and develops skills in scientific research and training. Created in July 2013 by the Regional Council of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Development and Innovation Agency of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and the Bordeaux Polytechnic Institute, it brings together more than 100 members, mainly companies, research and training organizations, and users.

European Ceramic Cluster

The European Ceramic Cluster is the unique competitiveness cluster dedicated to ceramics since 2005. Based in Limoges, the cluster is recognized as a reference expert in France in the field of ceramics. It unites 140 members around ceramic activities: Luxe and Creation, Health-Environment-Housing, Transport and Energy, and Electronics and Photonics

Technology paltformes:

ALPhANOV

Founded in 2007, ALPhANOV is the center of the Lasers & Microwaves French Cluster ALPHA-RLH, located in Bordeaux, France. ALPhANOV aims to boost innovation through collaboration between research and industry. It offers multiple modes of action which enable it to act all along the value chain: collaborative projects, feasibility studies, access to shared technical facilities, dedicated resources for companies and laboratories, technical support of entrepreneurship. It contributes to the creation and development of companies by providing innovative solutions that meet their expectations. It offers an array of services and products in optics and lasers with 4 fields of expertise: laser processes and micro-machining, laser sources and fiber components, laser and optical systems, photonics and health.

CATIE

CATIE (Center of Information Technologies and Electronic of Aquitaine) is a non-profit organization with a mission to speed-up maturation integration and transfer of ICT Technologies to SMEs. The technologies of CATIE range from human factor and cognition to IoT sensors gateway and platforms through big data, artificial intelligence and block chain, all keys to achieve efficient robotics and agile production solutions.

CANOE

CANOE is a R&T center focused onto polymer materials formulation, composite manufacturing and recycling process and characterization. CANOE has a specific expertise in terms of materials/robotics development such as polymer pellet formulation for robotized additive manufacturing by fused deposition modelling (FDM) and high temperature thermoplastic polymer or UV-curable resin formulation for filament winding process by automated tape placement (ATP).

CEA Tech

CEA Tech is the French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energy Commission technology research unit. This collaborative robotics platform is thus the meeting point between the CEA and its industrial partners for joint research and development on systems like cobots and exoskeletons which aims at making manual tasks easier, improving operator precision, and increasing productivity. The systems developed are either stationary, mobile, or remotely-operated for use in hostile environments.

CETIM

The Technical Center for Mechanical Industry was established in France in 1965 in order to improve companies’ competitiveness through mechanical engineering, transfer of innovations and advanced manufacturing solutions. It is a founding member of the Alliance Industry of the Future.

Compositadour

COMPOSITADOUR is a technical platform specialized in robotic processes for the implementation of composite materials. COMPOSITADOUR offers state-of-the-art equipment and mobilizes its network of skills, experts and researchers from laboratories, SMEs and major industrial groups to develop innovative projects.

Metallicadour

Metallicadour is a Technology Transfert Center in the area of production: high performance machining, robotization of processes and robotic welding solutions. Metallicadour provides companies with a shared resource center equipped with robotic solutions, to contribute on the economic development of the region by adding an efficient tool. It proposes high-tech ressources with top-level skills to support SME and mid-size companies, to increase added value of the production, to foster development of new industrial techniques and to reinforce the link between industry and research laboratories.

CTTC

The Center for Technology Transfers in Ceramics is an independent technological center based in Limoges (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) working on ceramics materials and their processing. It was created in 1984 and is labelled by the French Research Ministry. It aims at developing products and technologies dedicated to industry from different sectors including aerospace, energy, health, and electronics.

TECNALIA RESEARCH & INNOVATION

Tecnalia research & innovation is a private, independent, non-profit applied research center of international excellence. Legally a Foundation, Tecnalia is the leading private and independent research and technology organisation in Spain and one of the largest in Europe, employing around 1,445 people (225 PhDs) and with income of 108 Million € in 2018. TECNALIA is committed to generate major impacts in economic terms, by means of innovation and technological development, addressed by 6 business divisions covering the economic sectors of Energy, Environment, Industry, Transport, Construction, Health and ICT. TECNALIA has been granted 396 patents and promoted more than 30 spin-off companies.

Research and education:

Bordeaux INP

Bordeaux INP is an institute for research and higher education composed of 8 graduate schools of engineering (ENSC, ENSCBP, ENSEGID, ENSEIRB-MATMECA, ENSTBB, ENSGTI, ENSI Poitiers, ISABTP) and supervising 11 research laboratories, covering among others ICT, transport, materials of the future, energy, etc. Bordeaux INP is part of National polytechnic institute group together with Grenoble, Toulouse and Lorraine.

ENSAM Arts et Métiers

ENSAM-Arts et Métiers ParisTech is a French engineering and research school. It is a general engineering school recognized for leading French higher education in the fields of mechanics and industrialization. Founded in 1780, it is among the oldest French institutions and is one of the most prestigious engineering schools in France. The school has trained 85,000 engineers since its foundation. Arts et Métiers ParisTech consists of eight Teaching and Research Centers (CER) and three institutes spread across the country. It is also a founding member of the Alliance Industry of the Future.

ESTIA

The ESTIA Institute of Technology is recognized as one of major players in engineering education, research and technology transfer in the field of mechanics and industrial robotics in Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

INRIA

The INRIA, French research institute for digital sciences, was created in 1967 and promotes scientific excellence and technology transfer to maximize its impact by working with many companies and having assisted in the creation of over 160 startups. It aims to meet the challenges of the digital transformation of science, society and the economy.

University of Bordeaux

The University of Bordeaux is a multidisciplinary university created more than half a century ago and is thus a well-known French institution. It welcomes 56,000 students from all over the world and 88 research centers in different domains. The College on Sciences and Technologies gathers about 7000 students.

Bordeaux University Foundation

The Bordeaux University Foundation is a foundation for scientific cooperation with mixed governance, bringing together large groups, mid-sized companies, institutions and academics with the aim of positioning Bordeaux and its region at the highest global level by supporting the university and hospital site in its missions of research, innovation and training for the benefit of growth and attractiveness of the territory.

Large companies:

Thales

Thales Group is a well-known French large company working on five key sectors which are aerospace, space, ground transportation, defence and securi

Sectors
Technology

DIHGIGAL - Digital Innovation Hub of Galician Industry

Spain: Galicia

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The Galician Automotive Cluster (CEAGA), the Galician Food Cluster (CLUSAGA), the Galician Naval Cluster (ACLUNAGA) and the Galician ICT Cluster have formed the Galician Digital Innovation Hub Industrial, DIHGIGAL, through a new non-profit association.

 

The Hub is constituted, with the support of the regional government, with the objective of promoting the digital transformation of the industry of Galicia. DIHGIGAL brings together 450 companies and organisations, employing nearly 52,000 people, with a joint turnover of 19.18 billion euros, which is equivalent to 30% of Galicia's GDP. Among the companies that support this initiative, we can highlight large entities such as: Altia, Astilleros Freire, Conservas Calvo, GKN Driveline Vigo, Groupe PSA, Jealsa Rianxeira, Navantia, Nueva Pescanova, R, etc.

The Galician Industrial Digital Innovation Hub was created with a clear vocation for integration and transversality to promote collaboration, innovation and digital transformation of the entire Galician industry. DIHGIGAL is aligned with the regional RIS3.

 

SOME OF THE MEMBER ENTITIES:
- Large Companies or Tractors: Calvo, Clavo Food, Clun, Cupa, Denso, Ence, Freire, GKN Driveline Vigo, Groupe PSA, Grupo Cablerías, Grupo Robert Bosch, Hijos de Rivera, Navantia, Nueva Pescanova, Optare, R, Sociedad Textil Lonia, Televés.
- Clusters: CEAGA, ACLUNAGA, CLUSAGA, Cluster TIC
- Technological centres: AIMEN, ANFACO, CESGA, CITIC, CTAG, GRADIANT, ITG, ITMATI
- University system: University of Vigo, University of Santiago and University of Coruña.

 

VISION OF THE DIH:
To place the companies that make up Galicia's industrial system in a position of competitive leadership at a global level, through the promotion and encouragement of digital transformation.

 

DIH OBJECTIVES:
- To provide industrial companies and SMEs with the capabilities to face the challenges of the Factory of the Future.
- Promote the transfer of knowledge from technology and competence centres to companies.
- Promoting the collaboration and connection of the different actors and stakeholders that make up DIH.
- Align the Galician industry through a common framework and the use of shared resources.
- Promote education and practical training in the identified gaps.
- Connect IHL with other HUBs, regional, European and global ecosystems.
- Advise the Public Administration on policies related to the industrial and technological digital ecosystem.

 

DIH will have a set of activities and services oriented to the digital transformation of SMEs:

- Cooperation projects
- Using FabLabs
- Mentors
- Training
- Benchmarking
- Encouraging entrepreneurship and the creation of new businesses
- Calls for proposals on the technological challenges identified
- Sharing good practices
- Diagnosis
- Access to experts Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology