ICUK DIH

Digital Innovation HUB (DIH) operates as a part of Ústí Region Innovation Centre (ICUK). ICUK is a non-profit organisation, founded by Ústí Region Local Authority, University of Jan Evangelista Purkyně in Ústí nad Labem and Regional Chamber of Commerce of the Ústí Region,supports science, research and business environment in the Ústí Region.

ICUK DIH is involved in popularization, realization and research activities related to particular areas like Industry 4.0, SmartCity and Internet of Things, and provides complex know-how and tailor-made services solving needs of clients. The main aim of ICUK DIHis to provide services and necessary specific support to startups and SMEs in the area of digitalisation of manufacturing:

Transfer of technical knowledge, networking - connecting experts from universities as wellwith companies (SMEs, start ups).
Coaching and mentoring programme- combinating varioustools: webinars, regional workshops, on-site training, coaching and mentoring sessions.
Grantconsultancy - helping to find suitable financial resources, eg. innovation or assistance vouchers, national or ESI funds. Assistance with the processing of grant applications.
Technical assistance (expert advisory) - consisting of:
Current state analysis, company needs analysis
Setting clear objectives for digitalisation and providing a full understanding of what the end goal looks like
Defining necessary skills (human resources needs)
Own company to other companies comparison (konvergency of IT and operational technologies, innovative environment, partnership ecosystem, customer relationships and level of IoT experience)
Technical readiness assessment
Human resources within company readiness assessment
Establishing the business model advice - economic perspective (ROI)
Determining which devices, technologies and systems to connect
Cybersecurity issues (risk management, which data stored, where, how)
Strategy implementation
KPIs measurement and evaluation
ICUK DIH activities are fully complementary to:

ICUK PLATINN program, whichis a coaching program for the growth of business and innovation performance of technologically orientedSMEs from the Ústí Region. This program is based onindividual leadership by top experts.
Startup GO program, which is providing incubation support to startups.
Client basic characteristics:

SMEs
"Future" oriented companies with ambitions to innovate and grow (chemical and glass industry, energetics, mobility/automotive)
insufficient resources for own professional capacities
residency in Ústí region
2+ years on the market
10-250 employees
Technological oriented start ups(chemical and glass industry, energetics, mobility/automotive)
insufficient resources for own professional capacities
residency in Ústí region