VDTC of the Fraunhofer IFF

Germany: Saxony-Anhalt

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The mission of the VDTC is to explore and promote the role of human operators in an ever-increasing digitized and automated production and work environment. Following an approach coined as “Digital Engineering and Operation”, the VDTC postulates the consistent and consequent use of digital data throughout the life cycle of a production and/or work system. Being able to fully retain and exploit data from and within all steps in the life cycle, from design, to testing, documentation, factory planning, training, operation to dismantling, offers the opportunity to radically change human machine interaction. The VDTC offers solutions for embedding human operators in a digitized and automated environment by providing assistance systems, which fully benefit from a virtual knowledge base established through the approach of digital engineering and operation.
Within this mission, the VDTC offers its services to companies of varying sizes from SME and Mid-Caps to large companies and international corporations. The VDTC’s solutions, moreover, provide for different customized approaches addressing companies on different innovation stages, from awareness raising and maturity level identification for newcomers to digitization, to insular solutions and services for starter companies, to full systems solutions for advanced companies. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

Urban ICT Arena

Sweden: Stockholm

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

• The Electrum Foundation in Kista Sciene City realized the disruptive effect of digitization and decided to adapt and develop the collaboration by opening up and evolve from triple helix to quadruple helix by adding the individual/citizen/end-user. The result is an open testbed and co-creation arena where the possibilities of digitization can be developed, tested and show cased in an urban environment. • Fully equipped testbed with wired and wireless technologies - 5G, 4G, 3G, 2G, WiFI, 6LoWPAN, LoRa WAN, fiber - digital platforms for innovation – Bluemix, City Digital Platform, Urban Drone Platform, MediaSense - mentorspace, events, networks, projects, workshops, seminars. • Urban ICT Arena works like a huge potluck where everyone contributes with what they have and share it with the community. Together we form a great digital smorgasboard (buffe) where you can meet new partners, try new technologies and develop the future together. • A Project Owner can come with a Founding and Supporting partner and run a project free of charge. A project owner who comes alone must pay an administrative fee of 2 000 Euro per twelve months. • A project in Urban ICT Arena must be able to show how it contributes to one or more of our three overall aims; Sustainable cities, Secure future jobs, Strengthen innovation in the region. The project has to relate to the eight digital sustainable goals and give something suitable from the project to the community. (what need was solved)? • Urban ICT Arena can help to write project plan, give access IT Infrastructure provider of choice and relevant networks and also organize workshops. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

University of Valencia Science Park DIH

Spain: Valencia

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The University of Valencia Science Park DIH aims to create the best conditions to strive for the long-term business success of companies and organisations from the Valencian region by putting innovation and digital opportunities to good use.

To this end, the University of Valencia Science Park DIH places at companies and organisations’ disposal a set of services targeted to digitise their products, services and processes, as well as specially equipped premises for them to set up and perform their activity, consolidation and growth. The University of Valencia Science Park DIH services come in five areas:

Creating the ecosystem: information, training, networking and financing services, providing entrepreneurs with infrastructures, and support to identify and establish synergies among knowledge providers, companies and organisations, and to also back the Valencian innovative ecosystem
Digitising business processes: Consultancy and implementing software solutions for strategic business management (Business Intelligence, Balanced Scorecard), day-to-day management (ERP), document management and commercial management (CRM, eCommerce)
Automating production processes: Analysing the level of digitising and automation; accompanying the whole process; providing equipment for automation, sensors and other mechanisms to control processes.
Applying satellite data: Employing satellite data and other sources, with applications in areas like agriculture, forestry development and environmental conservation, and for fighting against climate change
Managing digital health: Application of Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, modelling, digital simulation and other technological tools in areas like functional nutrition, precise medical diagnosis and efficient health

In order to offer this wide range of services, the University of Valencia Science Park DIH is backed by the University of Valencia Science Park’s development and infrastructure, and by organisation and team of the University of Valencia Science Park Foundation (FPCUV), which is in charge of managing the Science Park’s business area.

The University of Valencia Science Park (PCUV) is an initiative that links university research and its scientific potential with the production system by encouraging innovation processes, and by generating and consolidating science/technology-based companies in the Valencian region.

The PCUV provides spaces and services to companies that derive from university research (spin-offs) and to external scientific technology-based companies that wish to enter a research, technological development and innovation setting. Its scientific area is made up of seven research institutes, two singular centres and major research infrastructure, as well as a business area covering a surface area of 26,700 m2, which represents 40% of the Science Park’s built area. It is divided into three building blocks (Building 1SC, Building BIOTEC and Building CUE) with offices and different sized labs that provide various services, one business incubator, and three coworking spaces (Business Incubators), one of which is located on the Tarongers campus. The business area currently hosts almost 100 companies, including different spin-offs. In this space they find a suitable ecosystem in which to generate and develop ideas and innovative projects. The most important sectors are Biotechnology and Information and Communication Technologies (ITC), and Energy, Nanotechnology and Advanced Services are also present.

The University of Valencia Science Park Foundation (FPCUV) works as a not-for-profit organisation that facilitates innovation for technology-based companies. This institution is in charge of managing the business area by providing services to those hosted there. It was created in 2009, and its founding sponsors were Fundación Bancaja, Banco Santander, the Valencian Chamber of Commerce and the Valencian Business Confederation, as well as the University of Valencia.

Some FPCUV objectives are to:

Promote technological development, knowledge transfer and industrial innovation.
Encourage research into matters of social importance locally, nationwide and internationally.
Establish cooperation between University of Valencia research groups and companies.
Create new innovative companies by facilitating alliances with strategic partners.
Encourage the transfer and diffusion of university research results.
Contribute to improve companies’ competitiveness and the Valencian Community’s development.

The FPCUV is a member of rePCV (Network of Valencian Science Parks), APTE (the Spanish National Association of Science and Technology Parks), RedEmprendia (the Ibero-American University Network of Business Incubators) and IASP (the International Association of Science Parks). It also has relations with different international parks.

  Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

Umbria Digital Innovation Hub

Italy: Umbria

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

UDIH is a no profit entity performing networking, matchmaking, brokerage and dissemination activities.

The aim of UDIH is to help companies to become more competitive by improving their business/production processes as well as products and services by means of digital technology.

DIH deals with the promotion of digital manufactoring trasformation towards Industrie 4.0 approach and the Value Chain processes overall.

In particular the main activities are:

Awareness Dissemination (Meeting, Workshop, etc.)

Supporting activities to industrial companies for Industry 4.0-based project implementation

Support access to tax breaks provided by Piano Industria 4.0

Supporting activities for assessing digital readiness

Supporting activities to facilitate manufacturing companies access to innovation regional ecosystem

Design and delivery of training initiatives

Coordination activities for implementing I4.0-based factories

Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

Tyndall National Institute, Tyndall

Ireland: Southern (Ireland)

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Established with a mission to support industry and academia in driving research to market, Tyndall National Institute is one of Europe’s leading research centres in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) research and development and the largest facility of its type in Ireland. Established in 2004 as a successor to the National Microelectronics Research Centre (NMRC founded in 1982) at University College Cork, the Institute employs over 460 researchers, engineers and support staff, with a full-time graduate cohort of 135 students generating over 230 peer-reviewed publications each year. Tyndall National Institute is leading in integrated ICT hardware and systems. Specialising in both electronics and photonics – materials, devices, circuits and systems – we are globally leading in our core research areas of: Smart sensors and systems Optical communication systems Mixed signal and analog circuit design Microelectronic and photonic integration Semiconductor wafer fabrication Nano materials and device processing Central to our mission is delivering economic impact through research excellence. We work with industry and academia to transform research into products in our core market areas of electronics, communications, energy, health, agri-food and the environment. We generate approximately €30m in income each year, with over 85% coming from competitively won contracts. With a network of over 200 industry partners and customers worldwide, we are focused on delivering real impact from our excellent research. Our ambitious 5-year strategic plan, developed in 2013, sets out a clear strategy to create employment and build critical mass within the Irish technology space. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

Trentino Digital Innovation Hub

Italy: Autonomous Province of Trento

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Trentino DIH was established by an agreement of cooperation signed by Confindustria Regionale Trentino-Alto Adige, Confindustria Trento, Assoimprenditori Alto Adige, Hub Innovazione Trentino (HIT) 

 

HIT is a consortium and non-lucrative company that promotes the results of research and innovation in the Trentino system in order to support the development of the local economy.

We ensure that Trentino and its companies can benefit with the innovation deriving from the results of scientific research and new entrepreneurship attractiveness of our members

Mission
Promoting the results of scientific research in Trentino through technology transfer activities to private companies and investors
Supporting stakeholders and Trentino companies in innovation processes and internationalisation in national and European networks (eg Cluster Technologies, KIC, Technology Platforms)
Stimulating integrated training, infrastructures, skills and services to accelerate innovative and highly technological businesses.

HIT Stakeholders

Fondazione Bruno Kessler is a research Institute with 2 scientific poles, 7 research centres and more than 400 researchers which aims for excellence in science and technology with particular regard to interdisciplinary approaches and application dimension.
Università degli Studi di Trento is the university of the Province of Trento, with more than 16,000 students, about 600 professors and researchers, 10 departments and 60 research laboratories that offer an ideal study and research environment.

Fondazione Edmund Mach conducts scientific research, education and training, experimentation, consulting and business services in the agricultural, agri-food and environmental branches.

Trentino Sviluppo is the Agency of the Autonomous Province of Trento devoted topromote the sustainable and innovative development of the territory, through actions and services aimed to support the growth of entrepreneurship and the ability to innovate. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

Transilvania Digital Innovation Hub - Transilvania DIH

Romania: North-West (Romania)

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Transilvania Digital Innovation Hub (TDIH) is a not-for-profit DIH which is a regional consortium of 14 organizations, 6 partners and 8 associated partners, created in 2017 by the main innovation actors from the North-Western region of Romania, with the mission of strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem and accelerating the digital transformation process and innovation of SMEs and public sector. Orchestrated by Transilvania IT Cluster, TDIH delivers value at regional, national, European, and international levels based on the synergies between its members: 8 clusters and/or professional associations representing the fields of IT&C (3), furniture manufacturing, new materials, energy, creative industries, and agro-food, the largest 3 universities in the region, Babeș-Bolyai University, the Technical University in Cluj-Napoca and the University of Medicine and Pharmaceutics, 1 national R&D institute (INCDTIM), 1 business support organization (OLI Hygia - Industry Liaison Office), and the municipality of Cluj-Napoca. Our primary specialisation is on AI, Big Data & HPC technologies applied primarily in the fields of Digital Health and Industry 4.0, correlated with priorities I.3 Health and II.2 Advanced Production Technologies from the region’s RIS3 strategy.

TDIH is based in the North-Western region (NUTS 2-RO11) of Romania, ranked among the “Emerging innovators” category in the 2021 Regional Innovation Scoreboard, with an increase in the innovation index from 26.8 points in 2014, to 36 in 2021, slightly higher than the national average (35). Also, according to the 2021 DESI, Romania is ranked 27th in the EU, with an aggregate score of 32.9%, whereas the EU27 average is 50.7%. Therefore, Transilvania DIH is one of the key instruments that supports the green and digital transition of the region’s industry and public sector, by offering digital and innovative business support and modelling, accelerating the uptake of digital technologies (AI, Big Data & HPC) in the provision of services and products, thus increasing the competitiveness of SMEs, the quality of public services and social well-being.

 

TDIH’s list of services is continuously developed and updated based on market needs, providing digital transformation and innovation of (i) business processes and models, and of (ii) services and products. Our main target group is represented by SMEs and the public sector, from the North-Western region of Romania, but also those in Europe interested in solutions that fall under our main specialisation areas. Our services are grouped into four categories, based on the main functionalities of TDIH:

Networking and ecosystem building – services provided primarily by Transilvania IT Cluster and Hygia Consult, consisting of (1.1) networking opportunities and active engagement among regional and European innovation and digital transformation actors, primarily SMEs and public sector; (1.2) matchmaking and brokering services between technology/solution providers and beneficiaries; (1.3) support services for regional SMEs and public sector for finding European solution providers (in areas other than our primary specialisation); (1.4) hackathons.

Test before invest – services provided primarily by TDIH’s technology organisations - UTCN, UBB, UMF, INCDTIM consisting of (2.1) digital audits and innovation scouting; (2.2) access to business and technology specialists expertise; and (2.3) access to testing, validation and rapid prototyping facilities (platforms, laboratories and infrastructure) and showcasing opportunities represented by digital transformation processes.

Skills and training – services provided by all TDIH partners on areas relevant to their expertise (business support - Transilvania IT and Hygia, digital skills and technologies - UBB, UTCN, UMF and INCDTIM) meant to build capacities for innovation and digitalization, by uplifting people’s skills; we provide trainings and skills development services covering the topics: advanced digital skills, technology, digitalization, business and management. 

Support to find investment – provided mainly by Hygia and Transilvania IT, include services for supporting SMEs and public sector in building their business cases and pitch decks for meetings with investors; identification of funding sources needed to implement digital solutions and other types of business support and financial instruments.

Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

TNO Holst Centre

Netherlands: North Brabant

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Holst Centre is an independent R&D center that develops technologies for wireless autonomous sensor technologies and flexible electronics, in an open innovation setting and in dedicated research trajectories. A key feature of Holst Centre is its partnership model with industry and academia based around roadmaps and programs. It is this kind of cross-fertilization that enables Holst Centre to tune its scientific strategy to industrial needs. Holst Centre was set up by imec and TNO and is supported by national and regional government. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

ThermoPlastic composites NL

Netherlands: Overijssel

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The DIH 'TPC-NL' is specialised in automated tape processing for TPC componenents and materials testing. TPC-NL enables enterprises to develop new materials with ground breaking properties (saving weight a.o.) by developing automated application of this new group of materials.

Focus areas are: Automation, Recycling, Insert Moulding. TPAC: Applied and industrial research for SME applications TPRC: Fundamental and precompetitive research.

  Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology

The KTH Innovation Hub of Digital Industrialization

Sweden: Stockholm

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The KTH Innovation Hub on Industrial Digitalization is hosted by the Mechatronics and Embedded Control Systems Division at KTH and we are also closely associated with the ICES Competence Center at KTH. The Stockholm based Innovation Hub is aiming to become an active core of the Sweden innovation ecosystem related to CPS and IIoT. We are located in the intersection between industry, academic research and education, as well as a multitude of innovation actors. As part of KTH we also have a large international network to leverage.

The Hub servces as a front desk providing an single entry point for a number of different services;

- Rapid Prototyping / Addative Manufacturing

- Testbeds

- Business Coaching and Funding altenatives

 

As part of the FED4SAE initiative, the HUB supports SME by coaching and funding Application Experiments. Digital technologies.

Sectors
Technology