DIGITAL HUB MANAGEMENT GMBH

Their core work

Digital Hub Management operates as a Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) orchestrator based in Dortmund, Germany, helping SMEs adopt digital technologies like robotics, IoT, and agile production methods. They manage and coordinate networks of innovation hubs across Europe and Africa, facilitating technology transfer and go-to-market support for small businesses. During the COVID-19 crisis, they contributed to manufacturing repurposing efforts for vital medical supplies, demonstrating their ability to mobilize digital manufacturing capabilities under pressure. Their core business is bridging the gap between digital technology providers and SMEs that need practical, deployable solutions.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their early H2020 involvement (2019–2020) focused squarely on helping European SMEs adopt robotics, IoT, and agile production through Digital Innovation Hub networks. By 2020–2021, their scope expanded significantly: they moved into crisis-response manufacturing (Eur3ka, COVID-19 supply chain resilience) and intercontinental DIH networks connecting Europe and Africa (DIGILOGIC). The shift shows a clear trajectory from purely European SME digitalization toward broader geographic reach and more ambitious technology transfer missions.

They are moving from European DIH participation toward leading international innovation hub networks, particularly targeting EU-Africa technology corridors and resilience-driven manufacturing.

How they like to work

Primarily a participant (3 of 4 projects), but their one coordinated project — DIGILOGIC — was their largest by far (EUR 462K of EUR 658K total funding), suggesting they are building toward a leadership role. With 102 unique partners across 34 countries, they operate as a network hub rather than a deep bilateral collaborator. Working with them likely means access to a broad ecosystem of DIHs and SMEs across multiple geographies.

Remarkably broad network for their size: 102 unique partners across 34 countries, reflecting their role as a DIH network orchestrator rather than a traditional research participant. Their geographic spread likely extends well into Africa given the DIGILOGIC project's Pan-European-African scope.

What sets them apart

Their differentiator is operating at the intersection of DIH network management and practical SME digitalization — they don't just research digital transformation, they run the infrastructure that delivers it to small companies. The DIGILOGIC project makes them one of very few German organizations with hands-on experience building EU-Africa digital innovation bridges. For consortium builders, they bring both a vast partner network (102 organizations, 34 countries) and practical experience in making digital technologies accessible to non-technical SMEs.

Highlights from their portfolio

• DIGILOGIC
  Their only coordinated project and largest funding share (EUR 462K); built the first Pan-European-African Digital Innovation Hub — a rare EU-Africa technology bridge.
• Eur3ka
  COVID-19 emergency response project repurposing manufacturing for medical supplies — demonstrates ability to pivot digital manufacturing capabilities for crisis situations.
• DIH²
  Pan-European robotics DIH network for agile production — positions them within the core I4MS (ICT Innovation for Manufacturing SMEs) ecosystem.