Digital Innovation Hub of Catalonia

On Tuesday, April 30^th, ICFO hosted a visit from the ASCEF (Associació Catalana de l’Empresa Familiar) who came to learn more about the institute and the up and coming technologies that ICFO researchers are facilitating through our research and facilities. The visit focused on ICFO's efforts to bring new technologies from the lab to society through our own knowledge and  tech transfer initiatives as well as through the local and international initiatives with whom ICFO collaborates that are devoted to catalyzing the uptake of advanced technologies by companies and industry in general: DIH4CAT and PhotonHub Europe.  

The Catalonia Digital Innovation Hub (DIH4CAT), is a regional non-profit innovation ecosystem, formed by the main support agents for the digitalization of Catalonia, with the goal of promoting the technological transformation of small and medium enterprises (with a special focus on the industrial sector and technology suppliers), technological start-ups and public entities. It aims to meet the challenges of industry through the testing of advanced technology as a step prior to implementation. ICFO participates in DIH4CAT as the leader of the photonics node on behalf of PHOTONCAT, the Catalan photonics hub, in which ICFO partners with CD6-UPC and Secpho. Thanks to the complementary capabilities of its members, PHOTONCAT aims to add value to companies at different levels: specific advice and training, development and prototyping, access to infrastructure and new technologies, and links with the local fabric of photonics based companies and solution providers.

ICFO Director Lluis Torner and Manager M. Dolor Mateu, as well as Dr Sergi Ferrando, member of ICFO’s KTT team and PHOTONCAT manager, welcomed ASCEF members to ICFO. “Tech Transfer is an important pillar of our institute, whether that be through our strategic patent portfolio, collaborations with industries to develop and implement new technologies, providing access to our facilities, or the incubation of deep-tech companies like the 11 spin-offs which we have launched to date based on ICFO IP,” remarked Ferrando. “We are eager to be part of solutions for companies in Catalonia, helping increase their competitiveness and their connection with the local and European innovation ecosystem's through technological and digital transformation. This is an investment that is vital for society and therefore an important priority for ICFO.”