We are Future Cities Catapult. Our mission is to advance urban innovation, to grow UK companies, to make cities better.
We bring together businesses, universities and city leaders so that they can work with each other to solve the problems that cities face.From our Urban Innovation Centre in London, we provide world-class facilities and expertise to support the development of new products and services, as well as opportunities to collaborate with others, test ideas and develop business models.

We help innovators turn ingenious ideas into working prototypes that can be tested in real urban settings. Then, once they’re proven, we help spread them to cities across the world to improve quality of life, strengthen economies and protect the environment. Digital technologies.

The department “Robot and Assistive Systems” is concerned with the development of robot systems and automation solutions for industry and also for the services sector. The department develops and implements key technologies in innovative industrial robots, service robots and intelligent machines.

With 40 years of experience in robotics and automation, multi-disciplinary teams, an unparalleled network, a wealth of expertise and superbly-equipped laboratories and workshops, we are able to offer a wide range of services in robot technology and application:

System design
Feasibility studies
Simulation of robot systems and components
Material flow simulation
Prototype development
Drafting of requirements and technical specifications
Measurement of robots and systems
Optimization of existing systems
Digital technologies.

The Future Work Lab is an innovation lab for work, people and technology, located in Stuttgart as an active and widely recognized competence center. Furthermore, Future Work Lab functions as an interactive show room and idea center for sustainable human-centered workplace design in the fields of manufacturing, research and development. Future Work Lab is based on pilot-run and applicable solutions for digitization and automation (Industry 4.0) to actively shape industrial work of the future in Germany and Europe, relying on close collaboration with (inter-) national partners and related institutions. Digital technologies.

The Frankfurt School Blockchain Center (FSBC) at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management gGmbH (FS) is a think tank, and research center which investigates implications of blockchain technology for start-ups/SMEs as well as companies and their business models. Amongst others, FSBC's competences and digital innovation activities are the following:

Research on blockchain: FSBC analyzes current developments with respect to blockchain technology and investigates the economic implications for companies and their stakeholders and as a Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) also provides new research impulses. Further, FSBC assesses the interconnection of blockchain technology to other innovative technologies, such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Education and trainings: FSBC serves as a regional Digital Innovation Hub for managers, start-ups/SMEs, researchers, technology and industry experts to provide eductation and share knowledge and best practices. As part of one of the best-ranked European business schools, the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, education is provided to students, but also for companies, researchers and other interested parties. Recently, FSBC has developed an online video learning platform, Blockchain Academy, for young people, entrepreneurs and young professionals to built knowledge about blockchain technology and crypto assets.
Community, events and networking: FSBC hosts various events on a regular basis for participants across all knowledge levels, such as the Crypto Assets Conference (CAC), one of the landmark crypto and blockchain conferences in Germany. Besides, FSBC is part of various blockchain associations and crypto think tanks, such as the German Blockchain Association (Bundesblock), the European Union Blockchain Observatory and INATBA.
Consulting, prototypes and incubation: FSBC is supporting and cooperating with startups on
blockchain- and DLT-related topics. Amongst others, FSBC develops DLT-based prototypes, e.g., in the field of mobility and finance (see section "service examples"). Thus, FSBC has already experience in testing blockchain/DLT applications and evaluating various DLT use cases across different industries. Furthermore, FSBC is attending numerous meetups across the globe and connected with many startups and major industry players.

 

Due to Frankfurt School's status as (one of Europe's best-ranked) a private university, FSBC acts as an academic institution under the non-profit regime. The Hub focuses on blockchain-based initiatives for digitising various industrial settings such as banking, mobility, “Industrie 4.0” and the energy sector. Further, FSBC aims to support start-ups and SMEs with blockchain-based IT expertise. 

FSBC is headed by Prof. Dr. Philipp Sandner. The expertise of Prof. Sandner in particular includes blockchain technology and its application in various industries but also concerns digitization, entrepreneurship and innovation management. Further, his core topics are corporate entrepreneurship, digital transformation, fintech startups and intellectual property rights. He was awarded with several scholarships and research prizes:

“Top 30” in the economists ranking of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ)
 "Top 40 under 40"; ranking of the German business magazine Capital

Prof. Sandner has published in international peer-reviewed journals such as Research Policy, the Journal of Marketing Research and the Journal of Business Venturing. Prof. Sandner is also working group member of the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum and of the FinTechRat (FinTech Council) of the German Federal Ministry of Finance.  Digital technologies.

The Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), established in 1983, is one of the largest research centres in Greece with well - organized facilities and highly qualified personnel and consists of seven Research Institutes located throughout Greece: Heraklion, Rethymnon, Patras and Ioannina. The Foundation's headquarters are located in Heraklion, Crete. The research and technological directions of FORTH cover major areas of scientific, social, and economic interest, such as: Computer Sciences, Molecular Biology, Lasers, Telecommunications, Medical Engineering, Microelectronics, Robotics, Biotechnology, Materials, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Applied and Computational Mathematics, Biomedical Technologies, Bioinformatics as well as Historical and Cultural Studies. Over the years, FORTH has become one of the top European research centers, thanks to its high impact research results and its valuable socioeconomic contribution. 

PRAXI Network is the leading technology transfer and innovation support organization in Greece, bringing together 30 years of unique know-how in assisting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and research organisations throughout the country. It’s mission is to make Greek enterprises and research organisations more competitive via the linkage between research and industry, the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship as well as the transnational cooperation. In particular, PRAXI Network:

Functions as an administrative unit of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), the largest and most well organized, equipped and staffed research center in the country, with research successes that render it among the top in Europe.
Employs more than 30 executives with high academic backgrounds and professional experience within industrial, research and consulting fields
Has presence in 5 cities in the country: Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Volos, Patras.

SMEs which consider themselves innovative, dynamic and extrovert or start-ups which claim their share at the international market, turn to PRAXI Network for support. Depending on the request, the challenge varies: from mediation to find business or technology partners, to advisory support for identifying suitable funding tools and consulting regarding intellectual property management, licensing or spin-offs.

PRAXI Network started out in 1991 by the need to link industry with academia and was evolved to one of the major innovation and technology transfer support organizations at European level. Being the Technology Transfer Office of FORTH, it provides support to researchers regarding the commercial exploitation of research results and infrastructures. In this framework, PRAXI Network supports researchers to identify and assess the potential for innovation and further exploitation of their research results and infrastructures, advises on intellectual property rights and management issues and helps them to find funding through European and national programs, as well as industry partners to develop their ideas and acquire further technological readiness. It also evaluates mature cases of technology findings, helps networking with prospective investors or users, assists research teams to shape their presentation portfolio, prepares them for contacts with investment schemes and supports during the negotiations. PRAXI Network is also official member of the European Technology Transfer Offices (TTO) Circle, the Network of TTOs from the largest research organisations in Europe.

PRAXI Network is member of the Enterprise Europe Network, the largest network of integrated business support to SMEs, and coordinator of the Enterprise Europe Network – Hellas. In parallel, PRAXI Network acts as National Contact Point for the Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development and currently Horizon 2020.

Additionally, PRAXI Network has significant experience in supporting international R&D cooperation, both within and outside Europe, mainly in China and South Africa. In this context, it functions as the coordinator of the European node of ASEM – Cooperation Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation - CCSTI.

Finally, the PRAXI Network operates a Foresight Unit to systematically investigate future trends and promote innovative thinking and creativity for businesses, organizations and research institutions that strengthen their strategic position.

Taking advantage of its long experience, know-how and networking, it has consistently contributed to the design and implementation of national and regional policies, initiatives, mechanisms and tools which develop, support and finance innovation. Businesses, organizations and research institutions that strengthen the strategy position.

As a living and evolving organization, it systematically invests in staff training, development of new skills and usage of new tools. It evolved alongside SMEs needs and enriches its services, responding to the demands of modern entrepreneurship.

In annual basis, PRAXI Netork:

Mediates for the conclusion of 15-20 business, technology and research collaborations at international level.
Provides high added-value innovation support services to more than 350 companies.
Organizes or participates in more than 20 international technology transfer and business cooperation events, in which on average more than 100 participants engage in 300 bilateral meetings.

Counting three decades of continuous presence in the Greek business and research scene, PRAXI Network has contributed decisively to:

the conclusion of more than 500 business and technological cooperation agreements between Greek and foreign companies and organizations
the support of hundreds of Greek businesses and research laboratories during the preparation and submission of proposals for research and innovation programs of the European Commission as part of its role as National Contact Point
the establishment of 6 spin-off companies from Universities and Research Institutions in the country
the creation and operation of knowledge intensive clusters in various technological fields (Hellenic Bio Cluster, Hellenic Photonics Cluster, Innovation Greece).
Digital technologies.

The spearhead cluster agri-food focuses mainly on the economic growth of the Flemish food industry. Flanders’ FOOD will thereby mainly act as an enabler for innovation, and an integrator to create a trust zone of open innovation with all stakeholders in the agri-food business complex. The three economic drivers for growth are: (1) increasing local and international competitiveness, (2) focus on new business opportunities through system integration and (3) take up the social and societal responsibilities. To provide an answer to these three economic drivers, four strategic objectives are defined (Lead in knowledge, Lead to knowledge, Accelerate efficient & effective innovation and Create/cross value chains). They should increase knowledge and broaden the horizons of companies on one hand, and on the other enable them to validate and implement this new knowledge into new products, processes and concepts that drive their economic growth. Flanders’ FOOD is not defining the products, processes and services of the future, but will create enablers for companies to act quicker, better and more efficient in their innovation processes. The knowledge-driven strategic goals focus on three program lines: (1) World Class Food Production, (2) Resilient & Sustainable Agri-food Systems and (3) Personalized Food Products & Healthy Diets. A number of activities contribute to the realization of the strategic goals, such as: Development of dedicated roadmaps, creation of a (virtual) inspiration center, education of the target group, distribution of information beyond the target group, establishment of a scientific and technological advisory network, enable access to pilot infrastructure, support in workplace innovation, support in research implementation, guidance towards co-creation and co-development Flanders’ FOOD, in collaboration with the Institute for agricultural and fisheries research (ILVO), has set up a Food Pilot, this is a pilot plant filled with industrial process lines on a pilot scale, accessible to food companies for testing. Pilot tests on a semi-industrial scale allow companies to try out new concepts, processes and products. The past 5 years, the Food Pilot has become an important service provider with an integrated approach to collaborate with companies. Companies from various sectors found their way to the Food Pilot. (Website: http://www.foodpilot.be/en/) Flanders’ FOOD counts 310 member companies in 2017, spread over the ecosystem of the food industry: about two thirds of the members are companies in food production and ingredient suppliers, the other members are companies in machinery and technology, feed and retail. All cluster members, beingall actors in the triple helix including research and technology organizations (RTO’s), other cluster organizations and innovation actors work together to achieve common goals, as defined in the strategic objectives, but also make sure each partner involved benefits from these collaborations. Different types of stakeholders have different roles in the strategy and are more involved in some strategic domains than others. Flanders’ FOOD is leading partner for a smart specialization platform Agri-food http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/smart-electronic-systems To collaborate internationally Flanders’ FOOD is associated partner in several ERANETs (Cofund Facce Surplus, Susfood II and Marine Biotech) and interreg projects. The Food Pilot is European wide interesting for other SMEs. Today several customers from abroad already found their way to the pilot plant. The facilities are open for all EU companies at the same conditions as for Flemish companies. Digital technologies.

Flanders Make is the strategic research centre for the manufacturing industry. We are a non profit organisation and have establishments in Lommel and Leuven and work together in a structural way with research departments of the 5 Flemish universities. Our purpose: realising a top-level research network in Flanders that delivers full support to the innovation projects of manufacturing companies. This way, we want to contribute to new products and processes that help to realise the vehicles, machines and factories of the future.

SMEs form an important part of our local industrial ecosystem. We support the digital transformation of this target group by assessing the specific technological challenges and the needs of the companies. We measure the digital maturity and develop tailor made action plans to improve the digital maturity. Together with our eDIH partners we provide training services where needed and engage the SMEs in peer to peer learning as well as networking activities to enhance their digital ecosystem. For specific technological developments we set-up and manage bi-lateral or open innovation projects with the companies. Through our connections with private equity providers (e.g. LRM and PMV) we are also able to give support related to financing of different projects. Digital technologies.

As an independent not-for-profit platform, Flam3D exists for all stakeholders who are active in the domain of 3D-printing. We unite, represent and support companies, research institutions, governments and stakeholders.

Flam3D is looking to strengthen value chains, both inside and outside the organization. We are open for companies and organizations interested in 3D-printing and Additive Manufacturing applications. Digital technologies.

FIWARE ZONE is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Economy, Knowledge, Business and University of the Regional Government of Andalusia (Junta de Andalucía) and Telefónica to support and promote intelligent solutions in different sectors of the economy and development such as SmartCities, Industry 4.0. or Smartagrifood.
 

FIWARE Zone is constituted as the Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) of Andalusia to promote the digitization and transformation of companies through technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and artificial intelligence with FIWARE as connector of these. Due to its public-private character, FIWARE Zone is a non-profit initiative.
 

To achieve this, training actions in reference technologies are carried out, companies and entrepreneurs are provided with a development environment as well as testing and access to a data bank and help is given to promote FIWARE technology as a European standard, promoted by the European Commission and aligned with the Andalusia Smart 2020 strategy. FIWARE technology as a modular platform allows us to use different technologies such as Internet of Things, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, etc..
 

FIWARE Zone is based on the European FIWARE standard, promoted within the EU and aligned with the Andalusia Smart 2020 strategy. FIWARE technology as a modular platform allows us to use different technologies such as IoT, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, etc..
 

The Junta de Andalucía and Telefónica lead this initiative, belonging to it all those institutions, companies and individuals interested in knowing and participating in FIWARE Zone through integration programs and collaboration with universities, business clusters, technology parks, entrepreneurs, public administrations, etc..
 

FIWARE Zone, in addition to being a DIH, is also recognized as a FIWARE iHub by the FIWARE Foundation, which guarantees having the experience and resources necessary to develop the activities and services described below. Digital technologies.

FIWARE Space is the innovation center of the Provincial Council of Badajoz to bring the new technologies of IoT and Big Data to citizens.

This center is part of a global project called "Badajoz Es Más", which aims to develop municipalities with a better quality of life through sustainable development. The objective is clear: to turn the province of Badajoz into an Intelligent Territory or a "Smart Province".

FIWARE Space coordinates the activity related to the Provincial Platform for Smart Management of Public Services, which allows the integration of information from different services in one place, to facilitate the analysis and management of services that are the responsibility of the Provincial Council of Badajoz.

FIWARE Space is a non-profit innovation center that aims to make the technological knowledge and tools of the "Badajoz Es Más" project available to different entities, among which are:

- Public administrations
- Municipalities
- Small and medium enterprises
- The teaching and research staff of the university and other educational institutions
- The entrepreneurs
- The citizens

One of the main objectives of this center is to support our small and medium enterprises through the digital transformation of the province. For this, the center makes available to these entities:

- A 2-month mentoring program in which to deepen the underlying concepts of the smart province, to know first-hand the technological work that is being carried out. In these 2 months, it is intended that the company evolve its initial prototype to a solution with the ability to be operational and integrated into the Provincial Platform.

- Specialized consulting and technical support for the integration of solutions in FIWARE. We help the creation and adaptation of data models, knowledge of architecture and the possibilities of integrating into this European standard.

- Help in the certification of solutions in the FIWARE Marketplace portal of the FIWARE Foundation. We advise on how to apply with the solution developed to obtain the different certifications.

- Advice on acceleration programs. After the completion of the mentoring program, we try to find a suitable European acceleration program to take the project to the next level.

- Physical location for the development of integration in FIWARE. We have a physical space in which you can work to integrate the solution into FIWARE, with the tools and support of the technical office.

- Theoretical and practical training workshops. Every Friday of the year we conduct workshops to which people with technical training can go to learn more about how a smart city works.

- Visits to the innovation center. Interested persons or entities can visit the center once a week to see first hand the digital transformation that is taking place in the province.

FIWARE Space also carries out some unique activities throughout the year:

- Hackathons. Workday in which, by teams, a technological problem is solved.

- IoT challenge. Companies are presented to solve a real problem of the province through technology. Once the applications have been submitted, an evaluating court chooses the winner, who will receive an economic endowment to carry out his idea and put it into operation in the province.

- Design Thinking Workshop. Workshop that aims to foster creativity through innovative new methodologies that will allow us to deepen a specific challenge.

In addition to all this, FIWARE Space, in the hands of the Diputación de Badajoz, participates in different local, national and international events in which it provides visibility to the companies of the province so that they can develop their activity in other places and, thus, contribute to the expansion of companies in the region.

Finally, it should be noted that FIWARE Space is considered as a 2-star FIWARE iHub, cataloged by the FIWARE Foundation, thanks to the work and the number of activities carried out to bring new technologies to citizens. Digital technologies.