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Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH)
Published on 27 January 2021
Austria
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
In order to support SMEs with digitization, several digital innovation hubs (DIH) were created in Austria. Each serves as a network of existing facilities (so-called "digital centers") that use their expertise and infrastructure to facilitate digital transformation process of SMEs. The national DIH program pursues the following goals with new interventions or by linking to existing measures:
• Mobilizing Austrian SMEs to actively participate in digital change in order to leverage productivity, innovation and value creation potential and to strengthen competitiveness
• Providing institutionalized access for SMEs to expertise and know-how on digitization as well as knowledge transfer to companies via further training measures
• Supporting digitization innovations in SMEs through access to infrastructure, opening up new business models, collaborative R&D and development of prototypes for digitization applications
• Improved integration of Austrian experts in European networks
Operational objectives:
• Large regional coverage. The majority of Austrian SMEs shall have a hub as the first point of contact in their direct surroundings
• Matching the content of the offer to regional needs. Consortia that focus on their offerings in one of the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, data science, blockchain and 3D printing are particularly addressed
• Preparation of Austrian stakeholders for participation in corresponding European innovation hub initiatives
• Mobilizing Austrian SMEs to actively participate in digital change in order to leverage productivity, innovation and value creation potential and to strengthen competitiveness
• Providing institutionalized access for SMEs to expertise and know-how on digitization as well as knowledge transfer to companies via further training measures
• Supporting digitization innovations in SMEs through access to infrastructure, opening up new business models, collaborative R&D and development of prototypes for digitization applications
• Improved integration of Austrian experts in European networks
Operational objectives:
• Large regional coverage. The majority of Austrian SMEs shall have a hub as the first point of contact in their direct surroundings
• Matching the content of the offer to regional needs. Consortia that focus on their offerings in one of the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, data science, blockchain and 3D printing are particularly addressed
• Preparation of Austrian stakeholders for participation in corresponding European innovation hub initiatives
Resources needed
Funding for 1st call (2018/2019): EUR 3 Mio. (2 persons within FFG responsible for implementation of call)
For 2nd call (2020): EUR 4 Mio. (2 persons within FFG responsible for implementation of call)
For 3rd call (end of 2020): EUR 1 Mio. (funding for expansion of already existing hubs)
For 2nd call (2020): EUR 4 Mio. (2 persons within FFG responsible for implementation of call)
For 3rd call (end of 2020): EUR 1 Mio. (funding for expansion of already existing hubs)
Evidence of success
3 out of the submitted 8 projects were recommended for funding in May 2019:
- DIH-Eastern Austria (Digital Innovation Hub - Lower Austria, Vienna, Burgenland)
- DiMaHub ("Digital Makers Hub")
- DIH West (Digital Innovation Hub West)
Total funding commitments: EUR 2.6 million
All hubs are currently in the construction phase.
In the meantime, the federal province of Carinthia has started its own “DIH South” (without federal funding), due to the success of the already funded DIHs.
- DIH-Eastern Austria (Digital Innovation Hub - Lower Austria, Vienna, Burgenland)
- DiMaHub ("Digital Makers Hub")
- DIH West (Digital Innovation Hub West)
Total funding commitments: EUR 2.6 million
All hubs are currently in the construction phase.
In the meantime, the federal province of Carinthia has started its own “DIH South” (without federal funding), due to the success of the already funded DIHs.
Potential for learning or transfer
A key success factor of the DIH program is the consideration of and collaboration with the federal provinces (regions). They know the needs of the SMEs in the region and collaborate with the regional higher education & research institutions. As a consequence, the submissions are well coordinated and tailored to the needs of the region(s).
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
Austria
Wien
Contact
Head of