One of the key activities of the EU in the next programming period 2021-2027 is the support of digitization across sectors and industries, which will be implemented by the Digital Europe program. The planned budget of EUR 9.2 billion will thus help with the digital transformation of European society and economy, in particular by investing in supercomputers, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced digital skills. One of the specific tools to meet these goals and how to really help businesses is through the so-called Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH). But what exactly is a DIH?

Digital innovation hubs are one-stop-shops that help companies become more competitive with their business / manufacturing processes, products or services using digital technologies. They are based on technology infrastructure (mostly on infrastructure of Competence Centres) and provide access to the latest knowledge, experience and technology to support their customers by piloting, testing and experimenting with digital innovation. DIHs also provide business and financial support to implement these innovations.

In West Bohemian region we also feel the need to help companies in theirs digital transformation, which is why we have created a consortium of partners from renowned institutions who are offering their business support services for many years, not only in the field of digitization. The founding members of West Bohemian DIH HIVE are:

• University of West Bohemia in Pilsen
• COMTES FHT, JSC.
• Regional Development Agency of the Pilsen region
• Business Development Agency of Karlovy Vary region
• Business Innovation Centre Pilsen, Inc.
• Information Technology Administration of the City of Pilsen