In the digital age, the concept of digital hub or digital innovation hub is gaining ground. This term is actually a keyword in industry 4.0 and embraces technologies related to big data, cloud computing, cybersecurity and the Internet of Things (IoT).
We will shortly discover the world of digital hubs, their role, functionalities and the benefits they can bring.
Table of contents
Digital hub: what it is
A digital hub has the task of stimulating and promoting the production system’s demand on innovation; it acts as a gateway to the world of industry 4.0 for companies and tends to strengthen the level of knowledge and awareness of the opportunities offered on a territorial basis (generally regional or interregional).
A DH, in cooperation with universities, competence centres, clusters, ICT research centres and local players, has the task of leading SMEs into the next industrial revolution.
Activities
The main activities of a digital hub are:
- offering support, business mentorship, loans and access to the market or to innovative high-tech projects;
- hosting cooperation activities, design, training courses and workstations for brainstorming and skills sharing;
- simplify administrative processes, complying with relevant regulations.
In addition, digital hubs carry out:
- awareness-raising and training through thematic workshops, training events, one to one meetings, etc.;
- assessing the degree of digital maturity of companies;
- mapping of innovation providers on the territory.
Benefits
The benefits you can achieve through a digital hub are many. Here are some examples:
- time and money savings;
- innovation and competitiveness;
- growth and visibility.
Goals
Objectives may vary according to context, but generally include:
- promoting digital innovation;
- creating new jobs;
- increasing the competitiveness of local businesses;
- improving the quality of life.
European Union and digital hubs
The European Commission, already in 2016, adopted the communication “Digitising European Industry” to promote digital transformation processes with a policy focused on boosting innovative investments and the creation of innovation ecosystems.
The plan has:
- used an investment of 500 million euros (from the Horizon 2020 programme) to test new technologies;
- launched a European platform bringing together national digitisation initiatives;
- proposed measures in favour of the free circulation of data in the EU.
- proposto misure in favore della libera circolazione dei dati in UE.
European Digital Innovation Hubs
Another interesting initiative are the European Digital Innovation Hubs, which offer support to public administration (PA) to answer digital challenges.
These hubs provide financial advisory services, training and digital skills development. EDIHs combine the benefits of a regional presence with the opportunities of a pan-European network, thus enabling the exchange of best practices between digital hubs in different countries and regions of Europe.
The EDIHs are also part of the Digital Europe programme that supports business development and provides EU funds to private and public entities.
National Coordination of Confindustria
In June 2018, the National Coordination of Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) was established and Confindustria assumed its representation.
The National Coordination, and thus the network, puts the digital hubs in a position to perform their functions as mentors and technology brokers, so supporting digital transformation.
Confindustria, for its part, is fully aware that its representative role enables it to achieve a key goal: to make use of the know-how, as well as the exchange of skills and experience, coming from the coordination of the current 20 Italian digital hubs.
JO Education | Innovation Hub Catania
The Innovation Hub Catania (IHCT), managed by the NGO JO Education, which is part of the JO Group cluster of companies, encourages and promotes digital transformation and has a vision: to make Catania a smart city.
To achieve this, it wants to network with stakeholders, local authorities, journalists and innovators. If you want to be part of it, please contact us by filling in the contact form or call us on +39 0957463250.
JO Education: #becomesmart