Tech Innovation
Fostering deep-tech innovation through collaborative ecosystems and Living Lab methodologies.
Innovation Zone
An Innovation Zone is a focused ecosystem, often geographically concentrated, designed to foster innovation and accelerate startup growth by connecting institutional bodies, research centres, companies, startups, labs, and funding entities such as venture capital, incubators, and accelerators (see for instance HighTechXL – Eindhoven). These zones provide both infrastructure and an innovation-driven culture, integrating academia, industry, and entrepreneurs in a collaborative environment. Their primary role is to support deep-tech startups, building on the Living Lab concept.
A Living Lab is an open innovation environment where users, researchers, businesses, and public actors co-create, test, and validate solutions in real-life settings. Its methodology combines participatory design, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback to ensure relevance and impact. The infrastructure spans physical spaces, digital platforms, data ecosystems, and stakeholder networks, enabling experimentation, scaling, and sustainable adoption of innovations.
The Innovation Zone Department of ITD.AI pursues three strategic objectives:
Research & Innovation Projects
Key projects underway
NutriWell
Nutrition AI for Well-being and Social Inclusion
Knowledge City AI Enabled Solutions
Advanced AI solutions for smart city development and urban innovation
LawMindedAI
Automating EU AI Act compliance for responsible AI
INNOBIZ Innovation Ecosystem
Cross-border innovation ecosystem (BG-CH-LI)
Long/Post Covid AI Enabled Clinical Studies
AI-powered research for long COVID understanding and treatment
Other Projects
Erasmus+ DigiLead Project
The Erasmus+ DigiLead Project aims to empower higher education and vocational institutions with digital leadership skills to drive innovation, inclusion, and resilience in the digital era. DigiLead develops frameworks, training programmes, and tools to strengthen the capacity of academic and institutional leaders in managing digital transformation. It promotes collaboration across Europe, fostering best practices and sustainable impact. More at Erasmus+ and DigiLead Project.
ITSM4SME
ITSM4SME (IT Service Management for SMEs in the Danube Region) was a Leonardo da Vinci Programme project designed to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises through tailored training in IT Service Management (ITSM). The project developed methodologies, curricula, and practical tools enabling SMEs to adopt ITSM best practices, improve service quality, and enhance innovation capacity across the Danube region.
iWell
iWell (Enhancing the Digital and Social Well-being in Schools) is an Erasmus+ KA2 project focused on promoting digital well-being, social inclusion, and healthy online practices in education. It develops innovative tools, training, and best practices to support teachers, students, and schools in fostering safe and balanced digital lifestyles. More at Erasmus+ and iWell Project.
DIGITRANS
DIGITRANS – Digital Transformation in the Danube Region was an Interreg Danube Transnational Programme project supporting SMEs in adopting digital business models. It provided training, tools, and a methodology to foster innovation and competitiveness in the digital economy. The project strengthened regional cooperation and knowledge transfer across the Danube Region. More at Interreg Danube and DIGITRANS Project.
DIGIPW4SME
DIGIPW4SME – Empowering Underdeveloped Marginal Communities through Digital Transformation of SMEs is an Interreg Danube Transnational Programme project. It aims to boost competitiveness and inclusion by helping SMEs in marginalised regions adopt digital tools, skills, and business models. The project fosters innovation, resilience, and cross-border cooperation. More at Interreg Danube.
SMART CULTURE
SMART CULTURE was an FP7-Regions “Capacities – Regions of Knowledge” project aimed at promoting digital innovation in cultural heritage by fostering collaboration between ICT enterprises, creative and cultural industries (especially SMEs), and research stakeholders across Europe. It developed immersive digital experiences to transform passive audiences into active cultural practitioners and promoted cross-sector knowledge transfer. ITD.AI collaborated locally with CIST & SDA. More details at CORDIS.
EURAXESS TOP II
EURAXESS TOP II – Enhancing the Outreach and Effectiveness of the EURAXESS Network Partners was an FP7-PEOPLE project aimed at strengthening the pan-European EURAXESS Services Network. It enhanced support for researchers’ mobility and career development by improving service quality, expanding outreach to research organisations and industry, and fostering cooperation among EURAXESS partners across Europe.
OpenScout
OpenScout – Skill-based Scouting of Open User-generated and Community-improved Content for Management Education and Training was an eContentPlus project (2008, EDU 428016). It developed an open platform to discover, share, and reuse learning resources for management education, leveraging Web 2.0 communities and user-generated content. The project improved access to high-quality digital training materials.
NETT
NETT – Networked Entrepreneurship Training of Trainers was a project under the EC CIP Programme supporting the development of innovative training for entrepreneurship educators. It built a collaborative European network, offering digital tools and resources to strengthen entrepreneurial skills and teaching practices. More at CORDIS NETT.
TuCoDe
TuCoDe – Tutor Competence Development for Rural Internet Access Points Managers was a Leonardo da Vinci project enhancing the skills of tutors managing rural telecentres. It provided tailored training and competence frameworks to improve digital inclusion, ICT adoption, and community development.
PROMISE
PROMISE – Municipal Property Management in South-Eastern European Cities was a project under the South-East Europe Programme focused on improving governance, transparency, and efficiency in municipal property management. It developed methodologies, tools, and best practices to help cities optimise the use of public assets, support sustainable urban development, and strengthen local administrations.