Challenge

Take up of digital technologies by companies in the new EU member states in Central and Eastern Europe falls dramatically short of those in Western Europe. Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) represent a vehicle to enable companies regardless of industry or size take advantage of the opportunities that digital technologies represent and access to apply these technologies to their products and business models.

Approach

For this project, funded by the European Commission, Oxentia partnered with Price Waterhouse Coopers to design and deliver a programme of expert training, mentoring and support in the development of DIHs in 13 countries. Oxentia designed the methodology to select the most promising applicants and developed a blended learning training and mentoring programme to enable the development of market-led business plans for 34 DIHs over an eight-month period. Digital delivery of eight modules of training was paired with face to face in-country support so the DIH management teams could access expert support, cost-effectively.

Impact

The project has developed a network of 34 DIHs who are implementing new business models in support of the companies in their regions, and supporting each other through peer to peer learning. The project has also enabled good practice in the establishment of DIHs in emerging economies to be better understood.