CONSULTORES DE AUTOMATIZACION Y ROBOTICA SA

Their core work

CARSA is a Basque Country-based innovation consultancy specializing in Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) and the digital transformation of European manufacturing SMEs. They design and operate support ecosystems that connect SMEs with digital technologies — from AI and big data to smart farming tools — through open calls, innovation experiments, and competence centers. Their core business is helping regions and companies navigate digitalization by building networks, federating DIHs, and aligning them with regional smart specialization strategies.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

CARSA began its H2020 journey in manufacturing technology — laser micromachining (ADALAM) and ICT for manufacturing SMEs (I4MS-Growth) between 2015-2018. From 2018 onward, they pivoted decisively toward Digital Innovation Hub orchestration, participating in or coordinating projects that build, federate, and scale DIH networks across sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, and data ecosystems. By 2020, every new project centered on DIH infrastructure, signaling a full transition from technology participant to ecosystem architect.

CARSA is consolidating its position as a DIH ecosystem architect, increasingly focused on AI adoption for manufacturing SMEs and cross-sector data federation — expect them in future projects connecting regional innovation policy with digital infrastructure.

How they like to work

CARSA predominantly joins large consortia as a participant (6 of 7 projects), contributing ecosystem-building and SME engagement expertise rather than deep technical research. With 274 unique partners across 30 countries, they operate as a highly connected hub — their network breadth is exceptional for an SME, reflecting their role as a bridge organization that links technology providers, regions, and end-user SMEs. Their single coordinator role (DIH-World) shows they can lead when the topic aligns with their core DIH expertise.

Remarkably broad network for an SME: 274 unique consortium partners across 30 countries, reflecting their role as a connector within large-scale DIH and I4MS ecosystem projects. Their reach spans nearly all EU member states and associated countries.

What sets them apart

CARSA occupies a rare niche as an SME-sized consultancy with pan-European DIH orchestration experience — they understand both the policy framework (smart specialization, I4MS) and the practical mechanics of running open calls and innovation experiments for SMEs. Their Basque Country base gives them strong connections to the Vanguard Initiative and industrial regions. For consortium builders, CARSA brings the "how to actually reach and support SMEs" capability that many technical projects need but struggle to deliver.

Highlights from their portfolio

• DIH-World
  Their only coordinator role (EUR 300K), focused on accelerating DIH deployment across Europe — represents CARSA's core identity as a DIH ecosystem builder.
• SmartAgriHubs
  Demonstrates CARSA's ability to apply DIH methodology beyond manufacturing into agri-food digital transformation, showing cross-sector versatility.
• AI REGIO
  Bridges AI adoption with regional policy through the Vanguard Initiative, positioning CARSA at the intersection of technology and smart specialization strategy.