Galileo DIH is the non-profit Digital Innovation Hub of Padua, whose aim is to facilitate and promote research, technology transfer and innovation among companies. A Digital Innovation Hub involves and connects the main local areas of innovation. Galileo DIH represents a hub that:

offers all the Galileo services (R&D, Education, Incubator, etc...),
collaborates with local stakeholders in terms of innovation and industry 4.0 (chamber of commerce, university, living lab, competence centre, etc...),
addresses local companies to the right development direction.

In addition, Galileo DIH accompanies SMEs in the definition and knowledge of their values, providing the necessary tools for strengthening and evolution within the competitive context to which they belong, sensitize them in the planification of new and strategic actions for the digital development.

On July 2018, Galileo Visionary District, the first company in Veneto Region and one of the first five in Italy, has obtained the certification of Technology Transfer Centre Industry 4.0 (Decreto Direttoriale MISE 22 dicembre 2017).

The Technology Transfer Centres carry out training and technical consulting activities, as well as technology transfer services to enterprises that works on specific settings/environments/operative fields.

In particular, the certified operative fields for Galileo are:

A - Solutions for advanced manufacturing

B - Additive manufacturing

C - Augmented reality and virtual reality

D - Simulation of product and / or production and / or logistic systems

F - Industrial Internet, Internet of Things and / or Internet of Machines

J - E-commerce systems

M - Geolocation

P - RFID, barcode, tracking & tracing systems

Q - System integrator applied to process automation.

The connected activities to the above-mentioned fields and certified for Galileo are:

2.1 - Technological training

2.4 - Training and consultancy on organizational and / or business, technical and industrial models

2.5 - Design and planning of implementation interventions for Industry 4.0 technologies

2.6 - Industrial research and experimental development including virtual prototyping

2.9 - Analysis, monitoring and technological brokerage services.

The GVD projects are multiple and fit on different industries, refer to companies operating in traditional sectors (Agrifood, Furniture, Mechanics, Fashion, Eyewear, Sportsystem, Carousel production, etc.), or in innovative areas as the Sustainable Packaging, or Biomedical for digital Health, working with high-tech companies and Digital startups. Galileo's modus operandi in supporting companies follows a standard that consists of:

At a strategic level: the company is accompanied in a process of strategy reviewing in a digital and industry 4.0 perspective, using tools such as design thinking, the lean start-up machine, the killer idea, etc. to support it in understanding its needs and identifying the correct pattern of innovative development;
At a tactical level: an operational program is drawn up that originates from the strategic plan at the previous point;
At the operational level: SMEs are accompanied on the 4.0 innovation path identified in the strategic plan.

The IoT Cube was set up at the Start Cube Incubator, with a permanent corner for experiential training, which gives the opportunity to design products concretely able to communicate with each other within the Industry 4.0 paradigm.

At the headquarters of Scuola Italiana Design, Galileo has the availability of some demonstration spaces on the subjects of additive printing and digital prototyping, for the orientation, and accompaniment towards these technologies, as for example “digital gym” equipped with 3D printers where it is possible to "touch" the potential of these systems, testing their effectiveness; or equipped with 60 workstations with state-of-the-art hardware and software, through which students can comprehend the usefulness of digital tools.
The aim of creating these spaces is to provide companies with a practical example on the issues linked to the Industry 4.0 paradigms, seen as a fundamental element for relaunching competitiveness, not only approaching and informing potential users of these technologies, but also showing them use. Digital technologies.

The mission of our Hub is to help the Galician manufacturing industry and specifically the SMEs in their digital transformation to realise an intelligent manufacturing environment. Support provided comprises different services from R&D to market uptake and business development, including training and access to intelligent and reconfigurable manufacturing facilities including Fab Labs, pilot lines and test beds where technologies are showcased and companies can experiment, test and validate intelligent manufacturing technologies. This ecosystem also enables the interaction between users and suppliers of the technologies, as well as between technologies experts and companies. Besides, GALACTICA will provide the necessary support to finance and nurture the technological developments to a level that the company can become more competitive. This will include access to finance, training and mentoring services, start-up support and innovation scout. The Hub will act as a one-stop-shop assembling all these services, required to face the Industry 4.0 challenges, and more specifically those that concern intelligent manufacturing paradigm.

The structure of the DIH for Intelligent manufacturing comprises competence centres with expertise in advanced manufacturing and digital technologies, combining photonics (sensors, laser-based manufacturing), simulation and modelling, cyber-physical systems, IoT, robotics, data analytics, machine learning, cloud computing and artificial intelligence for end-to-end digital manufacturing. Industry is also involved in the Hub, start-ups and SMEs as technology suppliers and mid-caps and large enterprises to lead the digital transformation and collaborate in test-beds. The involvement of industry associations, university and innovation agencies in the region bring into the Hub key services like incubator/accelerator schemes, access to finance and investors, training and mentoring programmes. The commitment of the regional government, both through the regional agencies and directly supporting the Hub truss the sustainability of this initiative.

The business model of GALACTICA DIH is based on a blended financing strategy combining public (European, national, regional grants) and private sources of financing (fees, in-kind contributions, own resources, sponsoring, etc.) to generate a sustainable and scalable structure accounting the operating and structure costs and the services providing costs. Therefore, any funds or income is dedicated to maintain and upgrade the DIH structure, as well as to support service providing with special focus on SMEs and mid-caps. Moreover, members of GALACTICA providing the structural resources (R&D&I facilities, mentoring and training programmes, access to finance schemes,..) for service providing are non-profit entities or public interest bodies that is the case of the involved competence centres, regional government agencies, industrial associations, etc. Digital technologies.

The FZI Research Center for Information Technology at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology is a non-profit institution for applied research in information technology and technology transfer. Its task is to provide businesses and public institutions with the latest research findings in information technology. It also qualifies young researchers for their career in academics or business as well as self-employment. Digital technologies.

Futures of Innovation and Technology Digital Innovation Hub is created by the community, for the community, having a non-profit purpose. The DIH represents a partnership formed by different entities from the non-profit, public, private, but also from the academic field, all serving the same common goal: to develop and implement a complex process in order to facilitate the digital transformation of SMEs, organizations and public administrations in the Central Region of Romania, with the purpose of increasing the economic, social and administrative competitiveness of the region at European level.

The non-profit objective of FIT DIH is important in this regard and could encourage local companies to improve the overall impact of the local economy. When it is possible not to find the right local partners, the digital innovation hub can connect to the network with other DIHs to find a partner that fits elsewhere in Europe.

A true catalyst for innovation and digitalization, covering a wide range of services, FIT aligns with the four main types of services specific to a DIH. Through these, the hub brings together the entire ecosystem under a common mission, that of accelerated progress towards digitalization and the adoption of emerging technologies, serving both companies with tradition and start-ups and innovators. Our hub's activities towards supporting the local SMEs with their digital transformation are the following:

The “Test before invest” component aims to raise awareness and ensure access to expertise, know-how and digital transformation services, including testing and experimentation facilities.

A living lab is a research concept that can be defined as an open, iterative and user-centered innovation ecosystem, operated at the territorial level (Central Region), integrating research, development and innovation processes in a public-private-people partnership. An excellent way to identify and solve the problems facing society, the living lab allows innovators access to real data and the ability to test proposed solutions in a real-world setting. The smart specialization areas for which we develop the living lab infrastructure are Industry 4.0 and E-health.

Digital competences

Through training, coaching and e-learning programs, we accelerate the rate of adoption of advanced digital skills among SMEs in the Central Region of Romania. In addition to educational programs, a special contribution is the package of modular microservices for the digitalization of companies - FIT Digital Booster. Through modularity and replicability, microservices can be adapted to all industries. The first initiatives in this direction are addressed to SMEs in the fields of Health and HORECA.

Access to investments and financing

Innovation, good ideas and steps forward need resources. Therefore, the FIT Digital Innovation Hub provides support for companies, especially SMEs and start-ups, through services such as: access to financial institutions and investors, supporting the use of InvestEU and other relevant financing mechanisms. As a pilot initiative, we are developing a disruptive start-up identification service to be introduced in an extensive mentoring, acceleration and funding process. In support of SMEs, we are preparing a simplified digital application methodology for public funding.

The DIH’s partners aim to capitalize on existing skills in digital technologies (such as AI, Big Data, AR / VR, robotics, IoT) but also in the emerging ones (Blockchain, 5G, CPS, HPC, cybersecurity) in order to meet the needs of 4 key application areas: 1. Smart cities & digital administration; 2. Industry 4.0 and digitalization industry; 3. E-health and 4. Tourism 4.0.

By implementing good practices regarding the management of Digital Innovation Centers transferred through the participation of the FIT team in the technical assistance projects Smart Factories in New EU Member States and DIHELP, but also by implementing the conclusions drawn from the pilot project dedicated to DIHs - DigitaliseSME, we aim to sustainably develop a series of value chains of digital transformation at the level of the region involving the centers of competence, consultants and designers, technology suppliers and integrators, innovators and startups, beneficiaries and users.

Expertise in digital technologies with which Futures of Innovation and Technology Digital Innovation Hub will operate is owned on the one hand by the University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology "George Emil Palade" in Targu Mures, and on the other hand by the Cluster for Innovation and Technology, among its members are Transilvania University of Brasov and more than 40 technology companies active in the Central Region.

The Futures of Innovation and Technology Digital Innovation Hub is taking part, either directly or through founding partners, of a series of European DIH networks, such as: AgROBOfood, DIH World, DigitaliseSME or DIHNET.eu. Digital technologies.

Future Technologies Digital Innovation Hub (FTDIH) was established as a not-for-profit organization to achieve a common goal and synergy effect, combining the high competencies and expertise of Visorių DIH and AgriFood Lithuania DIH members in various market verticals, mobilizing technical, social and financial capital.

Objectives of establishing FTDIH:

To accumulate cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary knowledge in one system;
Strengthen the R&D&I infrastructure by combining hardware and software;
Diversify services to cover more sectors of the economy;
Grow the ecosystem by involving more participants and partners;
Expand the geography of activities, strengthening international cooperation.

FTDIH is a multifaceted entity providing a wide range of services, bringing together digital technology solution makers and developers to provide their services and products to operators in a variety of fields: agriculture, food, photonics, laser and optical technology, aerospace, engineering, medicine, energy, publishing, science and other fields.

The mission of FTDIH is to promote the digitization of the Lithuanian economy by combining cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary knowledge, to find and offer the most suitable digital solutions and its implementation methods.

The vision of FTDIH is to become a strong cross-sectoral DIH in North-Eastern Europe, promoting the digitization of the economy, combining cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary knowledge, finding and proposing the most appropriate solutions and their implementations.

  Digital technologies.

Future Position X is a Non-profit Network Organization founded in 2006 when regional actor (Gävle Municpality, Region of Gävleborg and The Swedish land Survey authority) and local enterpricers like Esri, Sandvik, Goematikk, gathered in an initiative, with the mission to take position as a well established Geospatial Information Cluster.
Today, Future Position X is a Policy-driven Gold Label Cluster, a Vinnväxt Initiative and member of iHubs Sweden and a evolving Digital Innovation Hub. Future Position X also manage Gävle Innovation Arena, a platform for SME´s and enterprices that provide tools for digital innovation. 

We focus on Health and Well-being in the Smart, Sustainable, Viable City and Community,  connecting our actions to Agenda 2030 (The Global Goals for Sustainable Development).

We are a key stakeholder in empowering SME and society for a sustainable growth in the Region of Gävleborg and beyond.

We help companies:

Understand the digital context in which they work
Investigate future customer requirements
Set new goals
Develop road maps for meeting those goals
Receive the support and guidance they need                                                                                                  All this in connection to the digital transformation facing SME´s and enterprices.
Digital technologies.

We are Future Cities Catapult. Our mission is to advance urban innovation, to grow UK companies, to make cities better.
We bring together businesses, universities and city leaders so that they can work with each other to solve the problems that cities face.From our Urban Innovation Centre in London, we provide world-class facilities and expertise to support the development of new products and services, as well as opportunities to collaborate with others, test ideas and develop business models.

We help innovators turn ingenious ideas into working prototypes that can be tested in real urban settings. Then, once they’re proven, we help spread them to cities across the world to improve quality of life, strengthen economies and protect the environment. Digital technologies.

The department “Robot and Assistive Systems” is concerned with the development of robot systems and automation solutions for industry and also for the services sector. The department develops and implements key technologies in innovative industrial robots, service robots and intelligent machines.

With 40 years of experience in robotics and automation, multi-disciplinary teams, an unparalleled network, a wealth of expertise and superbly-equipped laboratories and workshops, we are able to offer a wide range of services in robot technology and application:

System design
Feasibility studies
Simulation of robot systems and components
Material flow simulation
Prototype development
Drafting of requirements and technical specifications
Measurement of robots and systems
Optimization of existing systems
Digital technologies.

The Future Work Lab is an innovation lab for work, people and technology, located in Stuttgart as an active and widely recognized competence center. Furthermore, Future Work Lab functions as an interactive show room and idea center for sustainable human-centered workplace design in the fields of manufacturing, research and development. Future Work Lab is based on pilot-run and applicable solutions for digitization and automation (Industry 4.0) to actively shape industrial work of the future in Germany and Europe, relying on close collaboration with (inter-) national partners and related institutions. Digital technologies.

The Frankfurt School Blockchain Center (FSBC) at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management gGmbH (FS) is a think tank, and research center which investigates implications of blockchain technology for start-ups/SMEs as well as companies and their business models. Amongst others, FSBC's competences and digital innovation activities are the following:

Research on blockchain: FSBC analyzes current developments with respect to blockchain technology and investigates the economic implications for companies and their stakeholders and as a Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) also provides new research impulses. Further, FSBC assesses the interconnection of blockchain technology to other innovative technologies, such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Education and trainings: FSBC serves as a regional Digital Innovation Hub for managers, start-ups/SMEs, researchers, technology and industry experts to provide eductation and share knowledge and best practices. As part of one of the best-ranked European business schools, the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, education is provided to students, but also for companies, researchers and other interested parties. Recently, FSBC has developed an online video learning platform, Blockchain Academy, for young people, entrepreneurs and young professionals to built knowledge about blockchain technology and crypto assets.
Community, events and networking: FSBC hosts various events on a regular basis for participants across all knowledge levels, such as the Crypto Assets Conference (CAC), one of the landmark crypto and blockchain conferences in Germany. Besides, FSBC is part of various blockchain associations and crypto think tanks, such as the German Blockchain Association (Bundesblock), the European Union Blockchain Observatory and INATBA.
Consulting, prototypes and incubation: FSBC is supporting and cooperating with startups on
blockchain- and DLT-related topics. Amongst others, FSBC develops DLT-based prototypes, e.g., in the field of mobility and finance (see section "service examples"). Thus, FSBC has already experience in testing blockchain/DLT applications and evaluating various DLT use cases across different industries. Furthermore, FSBC is attending numerous meetups across the globe and connected with many startups and major industry players.

 

Due to Frankfurt School's status as (one of Europe's best-ranked) a private university, FSBC acts as an academic institution under the non-profit regime. The Hub focuses on blockchain-based initiatives for digitising various industrial settings such as banking, mobility, “Industrie 4.0” and the energy sector. Further, FSBC aims to support start-ups and SMEs with blockchain-based IT expertise. 

FSBC is headed by Prof. Dr. Philipp Sandner. The expertise of Prof. Sandner in particular includes blockchain technology and its application in various industries but also concerns digitization, entrepreneurship and innovation management. Further, his core topics are corporate entrepreneurship, digital transformation, fintech startups and intellectual property rights. He was awarded with several scholarships and research prizes:

“Top 30” in the economists ranking of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ)
 "Top 40 under 40"; ranking of the German business magazine Capital

Prof. Sandner has published in international peer-reviewed journals such as Research Policy, the Journal of Marketing Research and the Journal of Business Venturing. Prof. Sandner is also working group member of the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum and of the FinTechRat (FinTech Council) of the German Federal Ministry of Finance.  Digital technologies.