As part of the implementation of the Digitising European Industrial Strategy a Digital Innovation Hubs Catalogue will be created containing comprehensive information on the digital innovation hubs in Europe to give any SME or industry access to the exact competence fitting its needs in order to digitize its products and services.

Comprehensive information on European DIHs is collected:

• with an online survey open for spontaneous applications: DIHs initiated under regional policy initiatives, as well as other initiatives are invited to apply to be included by providing information on their initiative. All submissions that meet the minimum conditions will be included in the catalogue.
• by the consortium partners using the national policy initiatives as a starting point to identify and assess potential DIHs;

During the first stage the emphasis will be on DIHs that meet the following three minimum conditions:

1.  Initiated under on a regional national or European policy initiatives to digitize the industry

2.  Receive governmental funding

3.  3 examples of services provided to clients (technology, business development and ecosystem development)

Digitising European Industrial Strategy

With the Digitising European Industrial Strategy the European Commission and the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology aims to ensure that any industry in Europe can fully benefit from digital innovations to upgrade its products, improves processes and adapts its business models to the digital change. The investment of €500 million in a pan-European network of Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) is a pivotal part of this strategy.

What are Digital Innovation Hubs?

Digital Innovation Hubs are one-stop-shops that help companies to become more competitive with regard to their business/production processes, products or services using digital technologies. They are based upon technology infrastructure (competence centre) and provide access to the latest knowledge, expertise and technology to support their customers with piloting, testing and experimenting with digital innovations. DIHs also provide business and financing support to implement these innovations, if needed across the value chain. As proximity is considered crucial, they act as a first regional point of contact, a doorway, and strengthen the innovation ecosystem. A DIH is a regional multi-partner cooperation (including organizations like RTOs, universities, industry associations, chambers of commerce, incubator/accelerators, regional development agencies and even governments) and can also have strong linkages with service providers outside of their region supporting companies with access to their services.

More information is available at the WG1 report.

A link to the dynamic map of the DIHs identified so far can be accessed here.