Open innovation - when a flash of inspiration strikes from outside!
Reinhard Willfort
November 17, 2024
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European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) are key contact points that support companies with up to 3,000 employees and public sector organizations in actively tackling digital transformation. Their agenda includes new services, solutions, and business models, artificial intelligence, and other forward-looking technologies. The unique aspect of the four Austrian EDIHs is their service-oriented approach and the ability to start very quickly without having to write a grant application yourself!
It sounds like a fairy tale at first glance, but EU funding from "Horizon Europe" and national funding from the BMAW have already been organized by the four Austrian EDIHs through a very extensive application process. Each of the 151 EDIHs in the European Digital Innovation Hubs Network has a base funding of 1 to 2 million euros per year to provide innovation services. The initiative began just under 1.5 years ago, in early 2023. By the end of June, many EDIHs had reached the halfway point of the initially 3-year program. However, all EDIHs still have resources for an additional 18 months.
EDIHs support companies in improving business and production processes as well as in developing products or services in the context of digital technologies. With the four Austrian EDIHs: INNOVATE – European Digital Innovation Hub, EDIH Applied CPS, EDIH AI5production and EDIH Crowd in Motion, there is comprehensive geographic coverage and provision of EDIH services across Austria. Especially target groups from the sectors of agriculture and food production, energy, mobility, as well as tourism and sports can benefit from the EDIHs and accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies.
Depending on your industry or project content, please contact a national EDIH (feel free to reach out to me as well). All EDIHs also have the task of connecting suitable project partners if expertise is not available within Austria. The respective contact person will assess the feasibility and handle the approval of the project within the consortium. After that, a digital assessment will be conducted to determine the company’s digitalization status. Then you can get started! The funding falls under the de minimis rule, so please check within your company what amount is still available. De minimis aid must not exceed €300,000 over a three-year period.
Support in Developing Advanced Digital Competence
Connecting companies needing new technological solutions with providers who have market-ready solutions, and building innovation communities
Providing technological expertise and services, including testing and experimentation facilities, and finding initial pilot customers
Support for companies, especially SMEs, such as through crowdfunding, and connecting with financing partners
Crowd in Motion EDIH focuses on a unique combination of artificial intelligence and human crowd intelligence to enhance the innovation capacity and willingness to change of SMEs and public organizations. Several digital idea and innovation platforms have been established for this purpose. The central innovation platform of the EDIH can be found at crowdinmotion.innovation.at. Currently, there is an idea challenge on the topic “Digital Social Communities – Your Ideas for the Future of Regional Collaboration.” This allows for requirements to be discussed with customers in advance and for tests to be conducted.
Take advantage of the EDIHs to keep your business on track and establish digital tools and business models!
I look forward to your feedback and wish you a restful and creative Sunday!
Reinhard Willfort, Innovation Doctor, www.willfort.at
Let’s innovate together!
I am happy to offer further support for innovation projects as an Innovationdoc, sparring partner and thought collaborator.
The “Laufend-kreativ” format is based on the ideas from this newsletter and provides an opportunity to reflect on your own positioning or tackle specific tasks with me personally in nature. Book your free innovation consultation now!
