Periodic Reporting for period 1 - INFIMO (INTERCONNECTED AND INCLUSIVE INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS FOCUSED ON ICT AND MOBILITY)
Reporting period: 2023-06-01 to 2024-05-31
The INFIMO project unites three clusters: Estonian ICT Cluster as coordinator, MOBINOV automotive cluster from Portugal and Georgian ICT Cluster. The consortium also includes Baltic Innovation Agency (Estonia), an experienced innovation management company. Together the partners will act as a driving force to build strategic collaboration between their ecosystems and encourage the involvement of more diverse innovation stakeholders (with a specific focus on stronger involvement of woman entrepreneurs) as well as building contacts with innovation ecosystems from other countries.
The main objectives of the project are:
1. Building a strategic partnership that engages more diverse innovation actors from Estonia, Portugal and Georgia to jointly develop their innovation capacities and facilitate the deployment and scale-up of innovative solutions.
2. Development of two collaboration models supporting the digital and green twin transition in various economic sectors with the help of ICT:
a. A generic collaboration model for supporting digitalisation and sustainability in a variety of economic sectors via the use of ICT. The model will be tested in at least 3 'clientˈ sectors;
b. An advanced collaboration model facilitating the twin transition and higher competitiveness in the mobility sector, including joint RD&I pilots and an open innovation competition where startups/SMEs propose solutions to the challenges of large companies.
3. Supporting science-based product and service development and setting up RD&I pilots between innovation stakeholders in the INFIMO ecosystems focused on the field of mobility.
4. Facilitating stronger involvement of women innovators and increasing gender-responsiveness of services offered by the partners.
5. Supporting the exchange of best practices, skills and knowledge development and mutual learning by the involved networks and various innovation actors.
6. Building contacts and paving the way for collaboration with relevant networks and innovation ecosystems in the EU and associated countries.
The INFIMO project works towards 2 main outcomes:
• Increased inclusiveness of the INFIMO ecosystems.
• Reduced innovation divide in the INFIMO countries.
The main objectives of the project are:
1. Building a strategic partnership that engages more diverse innovation actors from Estonia, Portugal and Georgia to jointly develop their innovation capacities and facilitate the deployment and scale-up of innovative solutions.
2. Development of two collaboration models supporting the digital and green twin transition in various economic sectors with the help of ICT:
a. A generic collaboration model for supporting digitalisation and sustainability in a variety of economic sectors via the use of ICT. The model will be tested in at least 3 'clientˈ sectors;
b. An advanced collaboration model facilitating the twin transition and higher competitiveness in the mobility sector, including joint RD&I pilots and an open innovation competition where startups/SMEs propose solutions to the challenges of large companies.
3. Supporting science-based product and service development and setting up RD&I pilots between innovation stakeholders in the INFIMO ecosystems focused on the field of mobility.
4. Facilitating stronger involvement of women innovators and increasing gender-responsiveness of services offered by the partners.
5. Supporting the exchange of best practices, skills and knowledge development and mutual learning by the involved networks and various innovation actors.
6. Building contacts and paving the way for collaboration with relevant networks and innovation ecosystems in the EU and associated countries.
The INFIMO project works towards 2 main outcomes:
• Increased inclusiveness of the INFIMO ecosystems.
• Reduced innovation divide in the INFIMO countries.
The INFIMO project is currently in the phase of initiating all the planned activities. During the period 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2024, the following main achievements should be highlighted:
• WP1 Management structure was set up (D1.1) regular internal communication is maintained (three major Steering Committee meetings in Tallinn (June 2023), Tbilisi (October 2023), and Porto (March 2024)), data management protocols have been established (D1.2).
• D2.1 “Roadmap of the startup ecosystem in Georgia” & D2.2 “Roadmap of the startup ecosystem in Portugal” completed (M5). The aim was to map up the status of the innovation ecosystem based on the experience of more experienced innovation actor from Estonia (ITL/ITS) to enable further identification of needs tailored for each innovation cluster.
• Stakeholder needs in INFIMO innovation ecosystems identified (D2.3). This was further used as input for developing the strategy and action plan for the INFIMO project.
• INFIMO collaboration strategy and action plan in place (D2.4).
• Women in Tech coordination groups (D3.1) are in place in all of the three clusters.
• The methodology for the generic collaboration model (T4.1) is being developed, waiting to be tested in client sectors starting fall 2024.
• The advanced collaboration model (T4.2) is being developed, R&D pilots and open innovation challenges are being developed.
• 3 study visits (T5.1) have been organised (Estonia, Georgia, Portugal). The focus on the study visits was to learn from each cluster’s best practices and also illustrate innovative solutions of their members.
• Joint training programme (T5.2) is currently under development. So far, 3 trainings have been held that have been shared with all the project partners.
• WP1 Management structure was set up (D1.1) regular internal communication is maintained (three major Steering Committee meetings in Tallinn (June 2023), Tbilisi (October 2023), and Porto (March 2024)), data management protocols have been established (D1.2).
• D2.1 “Roadmap of the startup ecosystem in Georgia” & D2.2 “Roadmap of the startup ecosystem in Portugal” completed (M5). The aim was to map up the status of the innovation ecosystem based on the experience of more experienced innovation actor from Estonia (ITL/ITS) to enable further identification of needs tailored for each innovation cluster.
• Stakeholder needs in INFIMO innovation ecosystems identified (D2.3). This was further used as input for developing the strategy and action plan for the INFIMO project.
• INFIMO collaboration strategy and action plan in place (D2.4).
• Women in Tech coordination groups (D3.1) are in place in all of the three clusters.
• The methodology for the generic collaboration model (T4.1) is being developed, waiting to be tested in client sectors starting fall 2024.
• The advanced collaboration model (T4.2) is being developed, R&D pilots and open innovation challenges are being developed.
• 3 study visits (T5.1) have been organised (Estonia, Georgia, Portugal). The focus on the study visits was to learn from each cluster’s best practices and also illustrate innovative solutions of their members.
• Joint training programme (T5.2) is currently under development. So far, 3 trainings have been held that have been shared with all the project partners.
Together the 4 partners of the INFIMO project will act as a driving force to build strategic collaboration between the ecosystems that they are representing. The project will focus on reducing the innovation divide in the partnering countries, facilitating stronger involvement and linkages between different innovation actors such as companies of different sizes, RD&I actors, public authorities, investors, social innovators, civil society and non-governmental organisations.
The INFIMO project has advanced significantly toward achieving its scientific objectives by developing innovative collaboration models that integrate digitalization and sustainability practices across various economic sectors. The formulation and preliminary testing of these models have contributed to the enhancement of sectoral research methodologies and the integration of ICT in mobility and other sectors.
Economically, the project is poised to influence the operational efficiencies of SMEs and startups by embedding advanced digital tools and sustainable practices into their core operations. The strategic partnerships formed under the project are expected to stimulate market expansion and enhance the competitiveness of involved entities, directly contributing to the economic vitality of the regions involved.
Societally, INFIMO has made strides in promoting inclusivity within the innovation ecosystem. The establishment of Women in Tech coordination groups and the customization of services to be more gender-responsive underscore the project’s commitment to social impact. These initiatives aim to create a more equitable environment within the tech industry, encouraging greater participation of women.
In terms of industrial production, the project's development of two collaboration models is expected to streamline production processes and foster innovation in product development, particularly within the mobility sector and the three targeted sectors within the Georgian context (agriculture, finance and construction). These models facilitate the sharing of best practices and technologies, which could lead to more sustainable and efficient production methods.
The INFIMO project has advanced significantly toward achieving its scientific objectives by developing innovative collaboration models that integrate digitalization and sustainability practices across various economic sectors. The formulation and preliminary testing of these models have contributed to the enhancement of sectoral research methodologies and the integration of ICT in mobility and other sectors.
Economically, the project is poised to influence the operational efficiencies of SMEs and startups by embedding advanced digital tools and sustainable practices into their core operations. The strategic partnerships formed under the project are expected to stimulate market expansion and enhance the competitiveness of involved entities, directly contributing to the economic vitality of the regions involved.
Societally, INFIMO has made strides in promoting inclusivity within the innovation ecosystem. The establishment of Women in Tech coordination groups and the customization of services to be more gender-responsive underscore the project’s commitment to social impact. These initiatives aim to create a more equitable environment within the tech industry, encouraging greater participation of women.
In terms of industrial production, the project's development of two collaboration models is expected to streamline production processes and foster innovation in product development, particularly within the mobility sector and the three targeted sectors within the Georgian context (agriculture, finance and construction). These models facilitate the sharing of best practices and technologies, which could lead to more sustainable and efficient production methods.