EDIH-GE

Fostering the digitalization of SMEs and Midcaps is a major objective of regional policies of Region Grand Est (S3, Regional scheme for economic development, innovation, and internationalization,), which is the third most industrialized French region. To do so, the regional authorities have defined a transformation pathway for companies and set up a digital cluster (GET Digital), managed by Grand E-Nov+, the regional innovation and attractiveness agency, that brings together the key public and private stakeholders. Furthermore, the GE territory hosts national and European renowned technology platforms regarding IA, cybersecurity, HPC, and immersive technologies. Nevertheless, these digital infrastructures and expertise have not sufficiently benefited regional companies, due to the poor connections and weak organized links between digital platforms and SMEs from key sectors. The objective of the EDIH GE is to create a one-stop-shop hub to foster the digitalization of industrial SMEs and midcaps (automotive, engineering, mechanics, textile,...), that require support regarding identification, testing, and integration (training, funding) of advanced technologies such as AI or cybersecurity, and HPC in industrial processes. With a budget of 3.8 ME, EDIH GE will deliver services (170 TBI, 500 Trainees, 16 networking events (320 participants), and 80 funding services) in three years to at least 300 companies. To deliver this strategy, GEN+ will coordinate a consortium of 11 partners that gathers 7 Universities and Engineering schools, two TTOs that manage 19 platforms and provides advanced training services, and the regional chamber of commerce that will be active to detect and qualify use cases in SMEs and mid-caps. The EDIH GE partners will be plugged into the DTA, with EEN (GEN+ and CCI GE are members) and with French and European EDIH all along its 770km of borders. EDIH GE will be co-funded by Region Grand Est (40%) and private resources (10%).