nowEurope

Nowadays, there are awards in almost any kind of area. Ranking from very well known awards in the area of pop culture such as the Oscars or the World Music Awards to awards for young academics in various fields. Last week I was made aware of an award in the area of technology that is taking place in Vienna. In an effort to stimulate and advocate the innovative potential of the Viennese technology sector, the ZIT (Centre for Innovation and Technology), Vienna’s technology agency, organises the Content Award 09. Until October 30^th, participants can submit contributions in various fields such as computer games, short movies or videos with animated content. There is also a category for innovative concepts with the aim of bringing the city of Vienna closer to its citizens with the usage of broadband technology. The contest has an “Under 18” and a “Fempower” category in order to specifically get young people and women to participate.

Looking at that contest raised the question within me, whether or not such awards would make sense for the Centrope region as well?

Continue reading ‘Innovation awards for Centrope?’

In recent years, various cluster organisations in many different sectors have been created in Austria. Especially for Austrian SMEs, those clusters have been a great help and local businesses have profited from the exchange of knowledge, cooperation and opening to the international market. In my last post I talked about a bottom-up approach through which Austrian IT clusters formed a common network by their own initiative. Today I will take a look at an Austrian cluster platform that is organised by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth.

Clusterplatform Austria is an initiative to create a common platform for existing clusters and networks across all sectors in Austria. Its purpose is to bring together separated clusters, which often work relatively independently from each other. One of their activities consists of organising workgroups for various topics such as “clusters and their role in the Austrian innovation policy” or “Connecting the Austrian cluster policy to Europe”. The platform thereby aims to strengthen the innovation and international competitiveness of Austrian enterprises, especially SMEs. Another focus is establishing a connection with R&D institutions as well as increasing supra-regional cooperation of cluster initiatives and federal and provincial cooperation. The platform wants to contribute to the development and realisation of Austrian research-, technology and innovation policy as well as create a link to EU cluster activities.

Continue reading ‘Introducing Clusterplatform Austria’

I guess sometimes we tend to forget the ambitious goal the CITT project is aiming at. We are trying to find models and possibilities to provide a framework, which enables SMEs, universities and public bodies to cooperate within four neighbouring countries.

But even within one relatively homogeneous country like Austria, networks between clusters have to deal with various issues such as varying institutional settings  in the participating states, different approaches of the respective managements, differing regional economic structures and differing policies of federal countries. Also, even though network projects are often viewed positively by all parties, financial resources are limited.

Despite all these obstacles, the Austrian  initiative I would like to introduce to you has had a successful start. This example demonstrates on a smaller, national scale what relevance and remarkability the CITT project has being kind of a pioneer project on the international level.

Continue reading ‘Introducing Digital Network Austria’

A couple of weeks ago I met Charles Ward in London, who works at the IT network Intellect. Intellect offers similar services to Vienna IT Enterprises (VITE). However, Intellect is a privately run enterprise thus the member fees are a lot higher.

One of the most striking differences between the Austrian and the British market is their access to the Eastern European market. It is a well known fact that Eastern European business partners play an important role for the Austrian and especially Viennese IT sector. Furthermore, various international companies coordinate their CEE activities via Vienna. This is why Vienna is known as the third largest IT location in Europe, after London and Munich.

But the Eastern European IT market is not that important to enterprises in the UK, aside from some big players. Charles Ward could not explain why and found it rather astonishing. My advice would be to locate British enterprises in Vienna to benefit from their experience and strategies, especially from those of the CENTROPE region, and then expand to Eastern European countries. Charles Ward strongly supported my suggestion. If this is really going to be implemented cannot be foreseen. However it could be a new starting point for further and stronger cooperation between Austria and the United Kingdom.

I think that at least three different kinds of clusters exist but in most cases it is difficult to combine them:

1. Cluster 1 is a commercially oriented cluster. The core goal is to make as much profit as possible and as soon as possible. A cluster of this kind often does not consist of more than 20 – 25 partners who consequently have to pay high member fees. This cluster does not aim at strongly contributing to the sector or the region (no events, PR for the sector, workshops etc.). An example for this kind of cluster would be in my opinion BITERAP.
2. Cluster 2 focuses on public aspects: in this case a positive statement of a public authority is a prerequisite, also with respect to financial support. The number of members is significantly higher, member fees are lower. Furthermore, PR work to promote the sector and the region, political lobbying, events, workshops but also company cooperation and networking are of great importance. The main goal of this cluster is not immediate profit. An example of this cluster is Vienna IT Enterprises. (I am strongly convinced that a cluster of this kind can only function properly if supported by public co-financing because their cluster activities will also support the whole region.)
3. A combination of these two cluster forms could be as follows: A part of Cluster 2 builds a separate group corresponding to the interests of Cluster 1. This new group would still be integrated in the whole cluster, but would build a strong separate group with a stronger financial role. This would lead to further benefits, such as additional profit. An example for this kind of cluster would be the GoVITE activities (sales support) initiated by Vienna IT Enterprises. (Cluster 3 is a not directly planned or supported cluster like shopping malls, technology parks etc.)

What is your opinion? Do you know of further examples of these kinds of clusters?

I would like to inform you about a very interesting subsidy called “Koop pro Wien” granted by the Vienna Business Agency to support enterprises participating in a cooperation project.

A precondition to receive this subsidy (max. €50,000, max. 50% of costs) is the membership of the lead partner at one of the following clusters: Automative Cluster Vienna Region (ACVR), Vienna IT Enterprises (VITE) or Kunststoff (Plastics) Cluster (KC). Furthermore at least three enterprises need to participate in a project not lasting longer than two years. In Austria this subsidy has been very successful. The subsidy’s influence on international research is not enormously high as the financial framework is rather low. However, the advantages are unbureaucratic and simple procedures.

For further details: http://www.wwff.gv.at/wwff.aspx_param_target_is_358271.v.aspx

What do you think about subsidies of this kind? Do you know any other examples of other or your countries? Are you of the opinion that such subsidies support the cooperation and research development? I would be very pleased if you shared your opinions with me!

The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber in London has organised together with VITE a trip to visit the promising Internet World 2009, taking place from the 28th to the 30th of April in the capital of the United Kingdom (London). A one-day fact finding mission will complete the programme in England.

Most of you might know that London is by far the most important IT location in Europe, thus I think this is a very interesting event to find out more about this market, new trends, technologies etc.

As I will also be there as a representative of VITE, I wanted to ask whether someone has already been at this fair. I would appreciate if you shared your experiences and impressions with us! Or will anyone visit the fair this year as well? If yes, which expectations do you have?

In general: do you think that due to the current economic crisis we should more than ever concentrate on larger markets?

Some days ago I met a person who told me about a very interesting, time and money saving product. He has developed a software solution to support IT enterprises and their administrative processes. This solution enables you to fill in data into predefined documents like letters, reports, offers, bills etc. without further programming effort.

His problem: how to find partner, how to spread his product and idea, how to find partners? If you are interested in his product or know similar products please share your experiences with us! In case you would like to know more about this software solution, please find information under www.tdiwiz.com.

I would like to take a new brochure entitled „Vienna. The Digital City” as a starting point to discuss the meaning of Vienna as maybe “THE” IT location in the Centrope region with you. Not only this brochure but also other statistics and studies show the innovation process of Vienna as an IT location and its increasing significance for the Centrope region.

But what is the perspective of the neighbouring countries?

Of course the facts show the progress Vienna has already achieved: Vienna is apart from London and Munich the third most important IT location in Europe, along with Helsinki.

Continue reading ‘Vienna. The Digital City.’

Please note that on the 28th of January not only the IT’n’T fair (27th to 29th) but also the very interesting event “Visual Computing Trends 2009” takes place in Vienna.

Those who come to Vienna could take the chance and visit both events!

Would be nice to see you there, Participation is free.

Continue reading ‘Event: “Visual Computing Trends 2009″’