A support network for the digital transformation of Portuguese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Public Administration. These hubs demystify concepts, share knowledge, develop skills, demonstrate solutions, assist in obtaining funding, facilitate partnerships, and support entrepreneurship.

 

What are Digital Innovation Hubs?

Investing in digital solutions before knowing whether they are suitable or add value to your business always carries risks. Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) are spaces designed to help SMEs and Public Administration adopt digital technologies, providing five core services:

1 | Test before investing

Experiment with digital solutions and validate their applicability to your business. Allow SMEs and Public Administration to invest only after confirming that the solutions make them more competitive.

2 | Digital training

Learn about digital technologies and develop specific skills. Empower both leadership and staff of SMEs and Public Administration to ensure successful digital transformation at all levels.

3 | Foster partnerships

Provide a network of partners and contacts, nationally and internationally. Offer SMEs and Public Administration new opportunities to innovate and strengthen or expand their business.

4 | Support funding

Facilitate the identification of incentives and funding sources and support their acquisition. Help SMEs and Public Administration secure the investments necessary for their digital transformation.

5 | Support incubation

Provide conditions for entrepreneurial acceleration. Host startups and support their incubation and growth.

Additional information

Each hub may also offer complementary services related to its specific focus areas, including support in assessing digital maturity and certification of digital maturity (Digital Maturity Seals).

 

Benefits

• Knowledge of digital solutions: “know what exists and what applies to me”
• Risk minimization and investment prioritization: “invest in what/where and do so safely”
• Digital skills acquisition: “know how to do it”
• Access to new opportunities and synergies: “learn from others and make myself known”
• Funding acquisition: “be able to invest”
• Foundation for growth: “create and grow my idea/business”

 

National Network of Digital Innovation Hubs

Portugal has 17 hubs with various sectoral, technological, and regional focuses, covering the mainland, Madeira, and the Azores.

Hubs are organized as consortia encompassing multiple entities, from collaborative laboratories (CoLAB) to clusters, Technology Interface Centers (CIT), universities, polytechnic institutes, associations, and public and private entities. They bring together experience, diverse expertise, infrastructure, laboratories, and equipment available to SMEs and Public Administration.

Beyond the three priority technologies identified by the European Commission – cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and high-performance computing – Portuguese hubs cover the following areas:

• Industry/Manufacturing
• Tourism
• Mobility
• Maritime Economy
• Construction
• Cybersecurity
• Regional Focus
• Defense
• Telecoms and ICT
• Agrifood
• Urban Sustainability
• Health
• AI and Data Science