The idea of Digital Innovation Hubs arose within the long-term development of the concept of smart specialization and policy development of a unified digital Europe. As a tool, it should enable institutions and SMEs in particular to respond to the rapid onset of digitization within Industry 4.0. Gradually, this concept expanded to the so-called SMART EVERYTHING. The Czech national strategy of the CfF also counts on DIHs.
DIH T4.0 is a non-profit entity that was established with the aim of applying digital technologies in the field of tourism and co-creating the strategy of Tourism 4.0. One of the goals of DIH T4.0 is to create smart alliances of professional institutions and companies, state administration and companies with special regard to SMEs, in order to get acquainted with new technologies, try them out in practice and then make informed decisions about their implementation.
Vision and mission
We want to enable new services and products using digital technologies to entities active in the tourism industry.
Basic DIH concept
The concept of Digital Innovation Hubs was developed as part of the policy development of the Digital Single Europe. They are part of the supporting infrastructure to promote the objectives of this policy by bringing the issue of digitization of transferring at national and regional levels directly to the institutional environment and, above all, to the corporate environment, with particular reference to the development of the digital competences of SMEs.
DIH, as an “Orchestrator” in the figure, helps businesses increase their competitiveness with respect to their business / manufacturing processes, products and services through the efficient use of digital technologies. DIHs also provide financial support and the introduction of these innovations when needed across the value chain.
The role of DIHs towards RIS (Regional Innovation Strategies) and smart specialization strategies is diverse. From a situation where DIH arises on the basis of a defined RIS in response to the identified needs of the region, to a variant where DIH carries the concept of a digital innovation concept (for example for a specific sector or sector).
In the Czech Republic, DIH is part of the concept of the Czech Republic program, The Country for the Future.
As such, DIH is not a business entity in order to generate profits for its founders. DIH is in principle a non-profit entity.
DIH activities can be divided into 4 main areas:
Test before Invest – Enable SMEs and institutions to test technology before deciding to invest in ready-made solutions. To support the development of knowledge about new technologies, to screen digital readiness of companies and institutions, to propose conceptual solutions.
Support to find investments – to help prepare financial models and to find financial resources for the implementation of pilot projects – cascade financing, EU financing or investor search.
Innovation ecosystem & networking – cooperation with other DIHs at national and European level, inspirational networking and technology brokering.
Skills and training – support for digital skills education
Our DIH concept for the tourism industry
DIH Tourism 4.0 is the kind of industry innovation hub that is based on the needs of actors in the tourism industry and addressing these needs and current challenges related to radical changes in the industry build on the introduction of new digital technologies, strategies and solutions.
The main objective of DIH T4.0 is to search for applications in the tourism industry for the following technologies:
- blockchain
- big data
- cybersecurity
- artificial intelligence