Iași, December 13, 2024, in the V7 Startup Studio Palas – Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ) marks five years of activity, an impressive journey in which innovation and digitization have been put at the service of communities, companies and public administrations. This anniversary moment represents an opportunity to reflect on achievements, challenges and impact, but also to outline future directions.
Digital Innovation Zone was launched in 2019, at the initiative of the North-East Regional Development Agency, as a not for profit Association with the aim of supporting digital transformation and increasing the innovation potential of companies and public institutions in the North-East Region of Romania.
Less than a year later, DIZ managed to enter the catalog of Digital Innovation Hubs in the European network, as a Fully Operational Hub. The most important achievement was the international recognition as the European Digital Innovation Hub and the integration into the network of over 200 EDIHs, supported by the European Commission. Along with this recognition, he also received a funding of 3.8 million. EURO for the provision of digital transformation and innovation support services for SMEs and public institutions in the region.
An EDIH is a one-stop-shop, multi-partner, digitization-supporting structure that provides support to SMEs, public administrations and other organizations to accelerate the process of digital transformation and innovation, providing support services for training and development of digital skills, testing pre-investment, support for identifying and accessing suitable funding sources and access to the local and international digitization and innovation ecosystem.
These hubs play a crucial role in achieving the strategic objectives of increasing the level of digital and technological maturity in Europe, they actively contribute to the development of SMEs, the improvement of digital public services and the increase of economic competitiveness in the region, being bridges between advanced technologies and users.
EDIH-DIZ is a consortium of 10 partners coordinated by the Technical University Gheorghe Asachi Iași, in which the DIZ Association has the role of community outreach and orchestrator of the regional innovation and digitization ecosystem.
The sectoral focus is on the manufacturing and health industries, offering digital solutions based on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Virtual Reality, robotics and others.
5 years of DIZ in numbers
Attracted fundings:
- 4 public hospitals financed with 1 million euros/hospital
- 130 digital feasibility studies for SMEs to access €100,000 for digitization in collaboration with the Management Authority and the World Bank
- 5 Innovator SMEs financed with 150,000 euros each for the development of innovative ideas and preparation for market launch in the Vinnovate program.
From the community to the region
- 1 digital strategy for Iasi county
- 30 “Transformer” SMEs contracted with a complete service package of 50,000 euros
- 17 “Innovator” SMEs contracted with a complete service package of 150,000 euros
- 12 public institutions contracted with a complete service package of 100,000 euros
- More than 650 employees trained in digital skills
- Directory of digital solutions providers, with 100 providers listed and selected.
Team members
Today the team has reached more than 100 professionals in various fields who provide the specific services.
Projects carried out
DIZ is active in European projects such as EDIH DIZ, Health Innovation Zone, MERIT, PRECISEU and SustainX, contributing to innovation and digitization at international level. These initiatives allow us to bring advanced solutions and European impact to the Northeast region of Romania.
#NEdigitalizăm – DIZ collaboration with AM PR 2021-2027 and the World Bank
For the implementation of the funding call “Digital transformation of SMEs aimed at increasing digital intensity”, financed by the North-East Regional Program 2021-2027, the Digital Innovation Zone association had an important role in shaping the funding mechanism, in promoting the call within the caravan #We do not digitize, in the preparation of the Digital Feasibility Studies (SFD), a mandatory document in the preparation of the application for accessing financing and not least in the training of experts who could prepare SFDs thereby filling the high demand for services.
Events
The annual Digital Innovation Zone conference is a landmark event in the North-East region of Romania, dedicated to promoting innovative solutions for SMEs and public institutions, especially in the production and health sectors. The conference brings together experts, entrepreneurs and representatives of public administrations to discuss and facilitate digital transformation.
The first edition of the conference, Digital transformation for entrepreneurs held on March 23, 2023 in Iași, attracted over 300 participants and provided a conducive framework for communication and collaboration between regional actors interested in digitization. The event included presentations, panel discussions and an exhibition area where digital solution providers presented their innovations.
The second edition, entitled “Digital Transformation 2.0“, took place on March 28, 2024 at the Agora Event Center in Iasi. It brought together over 400 participants, 40 speakers and 14 exhibitors, offering 8 workshops and generating over 7,000 networking interactions. The event continued the tradition of bringing together demand and supply in the field of digitization, contributing to building a more digitized and innovative region through next year’s edition that will take place on March 20, 2025, also in Iași.
In the 5 years of activity, DIZ has organized over 50 webinars, 10 working groups and 20 meetings with stakeholders in the ecosystem.
Feedback from the business community and public administrations
At the Factory 4.0 Digital Excellence Awards & Gala, October 19, 2023, Digital Innovation Zone EDIH received the distinction of “Digital Ecosystem Excellence” for its contribution in supporting organizations in the North-East Region in their approach to digital transformation.
During the Tech Industry Awards Gala event, PIN Awards 2023, Digital Innovation Zone won the Award for impact in the community, this award representing a confirmation of the value and impact we bring together in the North-Eastern region of Romania and encourages us to continue to digitize the region and provide the necessary support to the manufacturing and health industries.
Cross-border collaboration with DIH of Moldova
For almost 3 years, Digital Innovation Zone has been providing technical assistance for the establishment and operationalization of the first DIH in the Republic of Moldova entitled DIH of Moldova, in collaboration with the government of the Republic of Moldova and the main key actors in the ecosystem.
Main challenges and lessons for SMEs and public administrations
- Digitizing the workforce – Resistance to change and lack of digital skills have been constant challenges. The solution was to provide training courses for over 1,000 people in various digital areas.
- Access to non-reimbursable funds – Bureaucracy and lack of technical knowledge have been overcome through personalized support services based on personalized mentoring and dedicated workshops.
- Lack of knowledge of digital solutions and their applicability – DIZ has developed a catalog of digital solutions for basic digital transformation and numerous showcases for different fields of activity.
Outlook for the coming years
As DIZ enters its sixth year of operation, priorities include:
- Developing initiatives in emerging fields such as AI and cyber security.
- Expanding the network of regional and international partners.
- Continue supporting SMEs in the digital transition.
About the Digital Innovation Zone at the national level
Digital Innovation Zone is one of the most active digital innovation hubs in Romania, dedicated to the digital transformation of SMEs, public administrations and local communities.
It is one of the 7 operational EDIHs at national level that collaborate and are organized in the Association of EDIHs in Romania – RODIH acting as a common voice.
In September 2024, the Government of Romania approved the National Strategy for the Development and Support of Digitization through Digital Innovation Centers (CID), marking a significant step in the country’s digital transformation. This strategy, developed by the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization (MCID), establishes the directions of action for the period 2024-2027, with the main objective of accelerating digitization in the private and public sectors.
Artificial Intelligence and the future of digitization in Romania
AI is one of the technologies with high potential for SMEs, but insufficiently explored. Advantages such as process automation and advanced data analysis can bring a significant competitive advantage.
