European cluster-led accelerator for digitisation of the circular economy across key emerging sectors

ended

Europe’s transition to a circular and climate-neutral economy is as much an environmental, economic and social necessity as it is an opportunity for European businesses and citizens. To meet the targets and ambition set out by EU Circular Economy policies and actualise circular value chains as a competitive advantage, DigiCirc will empower SMEs to leverage digital technology as a key enabler for innovative circular products/ services, processes and business models. To this end, DigiCirc will create and coordinate the DigiCirc innovation network, facilitated by an engagement campaign of 3 partner clusters, to bring together a wide-spectrum of ‘triple-helix’ stakeholders (local/ regional authorities, big industry actors, SMEs, RTOs, civil society, etc.). 3 strategic high-growth domains will be in scope (Circular Cities, Bioeconomy, Blue Economy), each represented by a leading cluster in the field. The Ecosystem will lay the foundation for a holistic, dynamic and cross-border/sector open space for innovation, implement through the DigiCirc accelerators (3 calls, one in each target domain). The accelerators will be run by innovation support experts to transform validated concepts into robust business models towards a commercial launch. This will involve (i) tailored business support: courses and coaching; (ii) identifying and establishing strategic partnerships (facilitated by a dedicated Matchmaking Tool) to create complementary consortia (thematic & SMEs with a LSD enabler partner, e.g. industry, local government); (iii) two circular data platforms to simplify data use and integration across complex value chains and environments thus boosting circular business plans and concepts. Finally, A DigiCirc Roadmap will be drafted to define the path for digital-enabled circular innovation in the 3 domains, the way-forward for each of the clusters to seize upon knowledge gained and identify/define concrete sustainability options for the DigiCirc innovation network.