The European Commission is proposing to establish a network of Digital Innovation Hubs across Europe to help companies, especially SMEs and mid-caps, gain access to digital technologies and expertise. The Hubs will be based in different regions and complement existing competence centers. They will provide services like technology demonstrations, training, funding assistance, and collaboration opportunities to local companies. The Commission will support networking between Hubs, while regions and member states will help establish and reinforce Hubs based on local industry needs and strengths. The goal is to make advanced digital capabilities available throughout Europe to help all sectors benefit from digital innovation.

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
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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