1.
1
Setting up a network of Digital Innovation
Hubs in Europe
• Anne-Marie Sassen, Deputy Head of Unit
DG CONNECT/A2 - European Commission
• anne-marie.sassen@ec.europa.eu
#DigitiseEU

2.
DIGITISING EUROPEAN INDUSTRY
European Commission proposal
• Measures that enable all sectors to
benefit from digital innovation
• Foreseen Activities:
• Mainstreaming digital innovations across
all sectors
• Strengthening leadership in digital
technologies
• Preparing people for the digital age
• Regulatory framework
• Coordination of various initiatives - MS,
regional, EU
• Pool resources, avoid fragmentation, support
DSM
What is this about?
http://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/digitising-european-
industry

3.
Level of digitisation differs according to size of
company, sector and region

4.
Mainstreaming digital innovations
across all sectors
Target: Access to digital technologies
and expertise
 within "working distance"
 for any industry in Europe
 with a focus on: SMEs, mid-caps, non-tech
How:
 A network of "Digital Innovation Hubs" across Europe :
• Provide industry with access to technology, expertise, testing,…
based on world-class specialised competence centre
• In line with smart specialisation strategy
• By complementing and further investing (5 B€) in the strengths
existing in the regions

5.
What is a Digital Innovation Hub?
• Awareness Creation around
Digital Technologies
• Innovation Scouting
• Digital Maturity Assessment.
• Visioning and Strategy
Development for Businesses:
• Brokering/matchmaking
• Access to Specialist Expertise
and Infrastructure
• Mentoring
• Training
• Access to Funding and Investor
Readiness Services
• Collaborative Research
A one-stop-shop providing services to
companies in the region through a multi-
partner cooperation:

6.
Building a network of DIHs - Who
does what?
Regions/MSs
 Establish/reinforce competence centres and DIHs
• Based on the strenghts of a region and needs of industry in that
region
• Implement relevant activities if needed (incentives, …)
 Collaborate with digital innovation hubs of other regions
• to fill gaps and facilitate specialisation and excellence
Commission
 Support pan-European networking of Digital Innovation Hubs
• Share best practices, success stories, training
• Develop catalogue of Hubs, competences, etc
• Support (some) highly innovative companies through H2020
projects
Industry
 Engage with DIHs, help set priorities,.. 6

7.
Digital Innovation Hubs:
Building on successful experiences, e.g.
European Factories
of the Future PPP
Netherlands Field Labs
…….
Netherlands Field Labs

8.
Regions/MSs
 Establish/reinforce competence centres and DIHs
• Based on the strenghts of a region and needs of industry in that
region
• Implement relevant activities if needed (incentives, …)
 Collaborate with digital innovation hubs of other regions
• to fill gaps and facilitate specialisation and excellence
Commission
 Support pan-European networking of Digital Innovation Hubs
• Share best practices, success stories, training
• Develop catalogue of Hubs, competences, etc
• Support (some) highly innovative companies through H2020
projects
Industry
 Engage with DIHs, help set priorities,.. 8

9.
How to participate?
Apply to open calls (Financial support to third parties) offered by
H2020 projects:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportu
nities/other/competitive.html
Upcoming calls foreseen for I4MS (www.i4ms.eu) and Smart
Anything Everywhere (www.smartanythingeverywhere.eu )
In the new H2020 workprogramme 2017-2020, focus area
"Digitising and transforming European industry and services"
• Photonics
• Robotics
• Smart Anything Everywhere
• I4MS (phase 4)
• 5G PPP – Network innovations
• Big Data innovation hubs
• Digital Innovation Hubs for Agriculture
• Open nanotechnology and advanced materials hubs
9

10.
More information
• Digital Innovation Hubs working group:
• http://ec.europa.eu/futurium/en/content/report-wg1-digital-
innovation-hubs-mainstreaming-digital-innovation-across-all-
sectors
• http://ec.europa.eu/futurium/en/content/stock-taking-
initiatives-supporting-development-digital-innovation-hubs-
lessons-learned-eu-2
• Digitising European Industry
• http://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/digitising-european-
industry
DRAFT 10