DIH Süd – Digital Innovation Hub Southern Austria

The DIH SÜD initiative was launched by institutions from the federal states of Styria, Carinthia, Burgenland and East Tyrol to provide the best possible support for SMEs in Austria’s southern region in the digital transformation taking place in the coming years. The cross-state and cross-industry consortium consists of five digital centers (JOANNEUM RESEARCH, Graz University of Technology, FH JOANNEUM, FH Kärnten, Alpen-Adria University Klagenfurt) and BABEG, which are central players in the regional research and innovation system. In addition to the digital centers, the consortium consists of numerous network partners, multipliers and third-party providers. A service package has been put together, which includes the thematic focal points of:

• (i) Production & manufacturing technologies,
• (ii) Security
• (iii) Data Science – knowledge from data
• (iv) Digital business models & processes
• (v) Logistics and the cross-cutting topic of
• (x) Human Resources & Young Talent.

The measures offered by DIH SÜD, based on the experience and competencies of the partners, range from the implementation of information events, innovation and technology consulting activities, implementation of qualification measures to support in the development of innovations. The direct effects of the digital transformation, the future needs and competencies and, above all, the opportunities are very often underestimated, especially among SMEs. This is also due to information and knowledge gaps – new, digital technologies are complex, in some cases require high investment costs and often require accompanying education and training measures. Risks, challenges and opportunities can often hardly be assessed objectively by SMEs. DIH SÜD closes a still existing gap in the development of DIHs in Austria and supports the SMEs of the Southern Austria region with know-how, networking and infrastructure in the coming years.