Digitalization offers great opportunities, especially for SMEs. Through digital processes, they can respond quickly to market changes or customer needs, while automation saves time, money, and energy costs. E-commerce solutions can strengthen customer loyalty, and new digital business models open up new markets and target groups. In addition, SMEs can position themselves as attractive employers by offering a modern and digital working environment. In all these areas, there is still a strong need for information and further training, and this is exactly where DIH SÜD provides support with its offerings, such as AI potential analyses, robotics workshops, penetration testing trainings, or simply by answering the question: “Where to start with digitalization?”
The Digital Innovation Hub Süd (DIH SÜD) is a strong competence center that supports small and medium-sized enterprises on their path to digital transformation. Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular face major challenges! New technologies are complex, often involve high investments, and require additional qualifications. Many companies lack the time and expertise to realistically assess opportunities and risks. This is where DIH SÜD provides support by offering low-threshold access to consulting, training, infrastructure, and innovation programs. Backed by a consortium of leading research institutions and network partners from southern Austria, it provides hands-on expertise in areas such as production technology, artificial intelligence, digital business models, cybersecurity, and circular economy. DIH SÜD brings together the expertise of universities, research centres and incubators from Carinthia, Styria, East Tyrol and Burgenland. This strong partnership makes it possible to offer customised and future-oriented solutions for SMEs. Joint projects enhance competitiveness, productivity, and innovative capacity, while networking with research institutions and partners strengthens the regional innovation ecosystem. The high demand demonstrates the effectiveness of the offering: in the first four years, more than 5,750 SMEs have made use of DIH SÜD’s activities. Evaluations also confirm that DIH SÜD has established itself as a strong brand, whose services are well known and widely used in the region.
A central partner of this center is the build! Gründungszentrum Kärnten, which works closely with DIH SÜD. As part of build!up digital, workshops on digital business models are offered – free of charge – for SMEs and start-ups. Participants learn how to plan and develop their business models digitally. Modern tools for the virtual visualisation of business models are used to make processes, value creation and customer benefits transparent. The programme is aimed at anyone who wants to make their company fit for the digital future. Seize the opportunity and bring fresh impulses to your corporate strategy.
More information about the program of DIH SÜD can be found on the website: www.dih-sued.at.
