5 HELIX - Digital Future Hub
A university-driven innovation hub where technologies, startups, and ideas are tested, validated, and commercialized through digital transformation and smart specialization.
Ecosystem for Innovation Support:
5 HELIX DIGITAL FUTURE HUB
Ideas | Challenges | Open Innovation | Validation
We transform real territorial and organizational challenges into validated innovation concepts.
- Challenge-driven innovation (public & private sector)
- Open calls, hackathons & ideation programs
- Idea scouting from academia, startups and citizens
- Applied research & early-stage validation
- Mentorship for idea refinement and impact design
Networking | Resources | Funding
We connect people, organizations and resources to enable digital transformation.
- Access to funding, infrastructure & technologies
- Legal, financial & IP support
- B2B, B2G & Academia–Industry matchmaking
- Multi-stakeholder ecosystem (5 Helix model)
- Networking events, demo days & meetups
MVP | Pilots | Proof of Concept
We validate ideas in real-life environments before market launch.
- Living Labs & real-use environments
- Rapid prototyping & MVP development
- User feedback & iteration loops
- Technology testing & integration
- Pilot implementation & PoC validation
Acceleration | Scaling | Investment
We support startups and innovators to enter and scale in the market.
- Incubation & acceleration programs
- Business modeling & go-to-market strategies
- Investor access & blended finance instruments
- Commercialization support
- Regional & international scaling
Training | Certification | Lifelong Learning
We empower individuals and organizations with future-ready skills.
- Digital & entrepreneurial training
- Talent development for SMEs & startups
- Skills testing & certification
- Micro-credentials & professional programs
- Lifelong learning pathways
Where Ideas, Technology and People Shape the Future
SANDBOX
Our Sandbox is a controlled testbed environment where organizations, startups, SMEs, public institutions and innovators can experiment, test and validate digital tools, technologies and solutions before real-world deployment.
We reduce risk, accelerate innovation and support evidence-based decision-making.
- Identification of local business & public sector challenges
- AI pilots & experimentation (Living Labs / Sandboxes)
- Data collection & preparation for AI models
- Local professional upskilling
- SME & startup connection to experts and investors
- Physical infrastructure (labs, co-working spaces, pilot environments)
- Digital infrastructure (cloud systems, data access, testing platforms)
- Academic and technical expertise
- Mentoring and business coaching
- Access to networks (SMEs, public institutions, investors, EIT ecosystems)
- Legal and regulatory support
- Access to real users for validation
- Links to national and European funding programs
- High-performance computing
- Large-scale data environments
- Advanced software tools
- Expert multidisciplinary teams
- Integration with Testing & Experimentation Facilities
- Public–Private partnerships in AI ecosystem development
- Access to advanced AI models and high-performance computing
- Support for generative AI training with ethical compliance guidance
- Collaboration with European Digital Innovation Hubs
- Alignment with large-scale European AI infrastructure initiatives
SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST
5 HELIX - DIGITAL FUTURE LAB
A Quintuple Helix platform aligned with Smart Specialization (S3), enabling cross-sectoral collaboration for co-creation, experimentation, and scaling of digital and industrial innovation. The Lab connects Academia, Industry, Government, Civil Society, and Innovation Enablers to accelerate green and digital transformation through applied research, pilot testing, and market-driven solutions.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION & NEW TECHNOLOGIES
A real-life experimentation and co-creation environment where businesses, public institutions, researchers, and citizens collaborate to design, test, and validate innovative solutions in operational conditions.
- Co-creation with end-users and stakeholders
- Pilot testing in real operational environments
- Validation & impact assessment
- Regulatory sandbox & public-private experimentation
- Market readiness & scaling pathways
Work with us
We capture real-world challenges and transform them into scalable AI solutions, products, or startups.
- Challenge Identification & Strategic Intelligence
- Startup & Technology Scouting & Ecosystem Activation
- SME Innovation & Business Development
- Prototyping, AI Pilots & Experimentation
- Data Collection & AI Readiness
- Talent Development & Innovation Scaling
Test with us
An integrated environment for applied research, prototyping, validation, and commercialization of emerging technologies:
- AI & Data Intelligence
- Cloud & Digital Infrastructure
- IoT & Smart Systems
- Cybersecurity & Digital Resilience
- Advanced Manufacturing & Prototyping
- Immersive & Distributed Technologies
SECTORS
A Quintuple Helix platform aligned with Smart Specialization (S3), fostering cross-sectoral collaboration for the co-creation, testing, and scaling of digital and industrial solutions.
Driving digital adoption and innovation by connecting startups, academia, industry, and public institutions, enabling data-driven economies and scalable tech solutions.
Advancing applied research, technology transfer, and Industry 4.0 to strengthen priority sectors, boost competitiveness, and develop resilient regional value chains.
Accelerating renewable energy, energy efficiency, circular economy models, and climate tech to support decarbonization and the transition to net-zero systems.
Developing intelligent urban systems, sustainable mobility solutions, and modern infrastructure to enhance livability, resilience, and regional integration.
Promoting sustainable management of ecosystems, biodiversity, and water resources, while transforming agri-food systems toward greener and more resilient models.
Strengthening digital governance, cybersecurity, and institutional resilience, while advancing healthcare innovation, wellbeing, and inclusive social development.
Startups & Spinoffs
We connect industry, academia, government, society, and the environment to transform real-world challenges into scalable solutions.
Best Practices
STEAM FAB LAB
REEHUB + Energy Efficiency
SMART CITY FORUM
LET'S BUILD THE FUTURE TOGETHER
OUR PARTNERS
