General details
EDIHs involved
Challenges
The primary goal of Panorama was to address a gap in Austria, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the agriculture, timber, forestry, circular economy and energy industry, where there was a lack of access and information regarding newly developed digital tools and technologies.
In agriculture, traditional crop monitoring involved manual inspection, delaying responses to pests and diseases. Inefficient irrigation systems led to water wastage. In forestry and timber industries, manual tree inventory processes and traditional harvesting methods were time-consuming and error-prone. Similarly, the circular economy and energy sectors faced challenges in waste management and energy consumption monitoring, lacking digital tools for real-time data and insights.
To bridge this gap, Innovate organised a three-day festival, Panorama 2023, at the GRAND GARAGE in the Tabakfabrik Linz. This event provided SMEs with workshops, innovator circles, trend radars, company visits, and one-to-one talks, focusing on practical applications and direct engagement with digital technologies.
New technologies have the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency of resource-intensive and time-consuming activities within these companies. The goal was to empower businesses in these sectors to enhance efficiency, overcome challenges, and unlock new opportunities in the rapidly evolving digital era. Through targeted sessions, workshops, and presentations, the Panorama festival sought to facilitate a dynamic exchange of knowledge, foster collaboration, and pave the way for the widespread integration of digital technologies, thereby contributing to the long-term growth and resilience of SMEs in Austria.
The festival empowered SMEs through hands-on experiences, leading to streamlined operations and synergies. Notably, Josephinum Research's reforestation project with foresters underscored the event's impact.
Solutions
To bridge this gap, EDIH Innovate organised a 3-day festival that took place from November 22nd to 24th. The festival venue was the GRAND GARAGE, located at the Tabakfabrik Linz, serving as a creative hub. During this event, SMEs had the opportunity to participate in various activities such as workshops, innovator circles, trend radars, company visits, and one-to-one talks.
The solution adopted by EDIH Innovate met the digital transformation needs of the customer—SMEs in resource-intensive industries. By focusing on practical applications and fostering direct engagement with technologies, the Panorama Festival empowered businesses to overcome challenges and unlock new opportunities in the digital era. The emphasis on networking and collaboration was a key component of the solution, addressing the lack of connections between companies within and across sectors. This collaborative environment facilitated knowledge sharing, enabling SMEs to learn from each other and explore potential synergies.
Day 1:
The festival opened with Werner Gruber's keynote on synthetic intelligence. Sessions covered flexibility markets, digital circular economy tools, and AI in sustainable forestry. SMEs showcased their innovations during the "KMU-Spotlight." The day ended with a brewery tour for networking.
Day 2:
Sessions included digital helpers, additive manufacturing, and big data in climate protection. Startups presented in the "Spotlight," followed by discussions on AI in agriculture and virtual reality planning.
Day 3:
The day featured Florian Klenk’s case study on journalism and agriculture, sessions on investment facilitation, energy trends, and drone technology in disaster prevention. The festival ended with future project discussions and networking. Throughout, attendees enjoyed ample opportunities for networking, lunch breaks, and exploring exhibitor booths.
Results and Benefits
The Panorama Festival served as a centralised hub for businesses, fostering the exchange of information and providing access to a diverse range of new technologies. This event offered one-on-one conversations, hands-on workshops, and practical demonstrations of various technologies, showcasing their effective integration into different business operations. Notable presentations included a grape-harvesting robot by Josephinum Research for wine production, SBA Research's Air X Big drone for detecting natural disaster-prone areas, and Qapture's 3D terrestrial laser scanner dog for building information.
Over three days, participants engaged in networking activities, establishing connections with stakeholders and gaining valuable insights into digitalisation strategies. The festival provided a platform for SMEs to connect with funding agencies, featuring a "Spotlight session" where investors engaged with start-ups.
One tangible outcome from the festival was the collaboration between Josephinum Research and two foresters in a mechanical reforestation project. Utilising RTK accurate programming, the project ensures optimal tree spacing during planting, promoting even distribution for enhanced forest health. This project materialised as a direct result of the discussions and knowledge-sharing that took place during the festival, demonstrating the real-world impact and collaborative spirit fostered by Panorama.
SMEs, now well-connected within their industries, experienced increased collaboration potential. SMEs gained measurable improvements in their digital capacities through hands-on experiences and practical insights gained from workshops and innovator circles. This newfound digital proficiency enables SMEs to streamline operations and navigate the digital landscape more effectively.
The development and delivery of Panorama involved a combined public/private investment. Public funding played a crucial role in establishing an inclusive framework, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of SMEs. Private funding enriched the festival's content and impact with expertise, cutting-edge technologies, and resources.
The return-on-investment for both the customer and EDIH is evident in the successful outcomes and benefits achieved. The tangible follow-up projects, increased collaboration, and enhanced digital capacities among SMEs represent a return on the initial investment. The financial benefits extend beyond the immediate festival timeline, with SMEs likely to experience long-term gains through increased efficiency, new opportunities, and potential funding secured as a result of improved networking and digital capacities.
Perceived social/economic impact
The Panorama 2023 digitalisation festival, being cost-free, removed financial barriers, ensuring a diverse group of participants. With a three-day duration, the festival attracted a significant number of participants, fostering extensive networking opportunities.
Beyond networking, the Panorama served as a platform for connecting companies with funding agencies, offering insights into available funding programmes. A notable highlight was the "Spotlight" session, providing start-ups with a platform to showcase their businesses while investors were present. This spotlight session not only granted valuable exposure but also facilitated connections that could result in social and economic growth. It also facilitated a series of follow-up projects. These projects, born out of the festival's discussions, reflect a commitment to action and collaboration, which is a testament to the festivals proactive and hands-on approach.
One of the festival's notable achievements was its role in elevating discussions surrounding ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and circular economy principles, effectively bringing these critical topics to the forefront of the community, helping raise awareness. The festival's impact extended beyond immediate topics, encompassing a broader initiative of awareness-building. This initiative not only served to enlighten participants about relevant issues but also heightened awareness about the festival itself, reinforcing its position as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.
The presence of Dr. Heidi Cigan from the European Commission added a distinctive layer to the festival, accentuating the importance of EDIH. This involvement underscored the festival's ability to attract key stakeholders and influencers, reinforcing its significance on a larger stage. Furthermore, the participation of all Austrian EDIHs during the event, engaging in "test-before-invest" demonstrations, not only raised awareness about the EDIH.
Measurable data
Expansion of attendees networks as a result of the event:
We have not measured the attendees networks before and after the Panorama Festival, therefore we unfortunately have no data for this. However, as networking was a large part of our event, we expect that attendees have expanded their network.
Number of follow up projects created as a result of the event:
As networking was a large part of the Panorama festival, the possibility of more follow up projects within the attendees is high, however, we are aware 2 follow up projects within the EDIH. The Josephinum Research and two foresters in a mechanical reforestation project, as well as a workshop between Building Innovation Cluster, FH Wiener Neustadt and Eviden regarding AI and the sustainability of furniture.
Increased awareness of digital matters:
We asked attendees to answer a short questionnaire after participating in the event. On the question: “On a scale from 1-10, do you feel like you were able to acquire new knowledge and learn about new technologies?” 38.5% answered 10, 15,4% answered 9, 30.8% answered 8, 7.7% answered 7 and 7.7% answered 6.
High level of satisfaction with the event among attendees:
We asked attendees to answer a short questionnaire after participating in the event. On the question: “How satisfied were you with the organisation of the event?” 46,2% answered 10, 15,4% answered 9, 15,4% answered 8, 15,4% answered 7 and 7,7% answered 6.
Lessons learned
Drawing insights from the Panorama Festival, several valuable lessons can be learned.
In its debut edition, the Panorama festival not only successfully heightened awareness about the event itself but also effectively disseminated information on the diverse topics featured in the programme. Participants expressed satisfaction with the comprehensive offerings, including a wide range of formats, engaging speakers, effective organisation, and valuable networking opportunities. This positive feedback underscores the success of the inaugural event in meeting the expectations and preferences of its participants.
Participants emphasised a preference for practical and hands-on formats, particularly favoring workshops characterised by smaller, more intimate groups that offered a more immersive learning experience.
The flexibility in formats allowed participants to choose topics aligned with their interests, which was well received by participants. However, prioritising making the programme easily navigable for participants so they have a thorough overview of the full programme is important. Furthermore, an essential lesson learned is the significance of allocating dedicated time for networking between programme sessions. While there was allotted time between formats and opportunities to network during lunch and dinner, some participants expressed a desire for more time. This intentional approach significantly contributes to enhancing the overall participant experience and fostering meaningful connections.
The purpose of hosting a three-day festival was to provide participants with the opportunity to acquire extensive knowledge and establish connections with various companies.
However, the intensity of a three- day festival, with its abundance of information and diverse formats, might be overwhelming for some attendees.
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