FTDIH members have many years of experience in the target markets (agriculture, food industry, engineering, energy, medicine, lasers, optics, aerospace, publishing), conduct market research, cooperate with economic sector administrations, economic and business entities, therefore know the target markets, market issues, development prospects and the need for digitization in specific areas. This knowledge covers not only the needs of large businesses, but also the SME sector, where digitization is less rapid. This contributes to a better understanding of the challenges faced by economic operators and businesses, following a bottom-up approach, and to proposing the best possible solutions by combining need with opportunity.

The members of FTDIH cooperate with the organizations developing and managing innovation, with the scientific institutions and ensure that the latest knowledge is available to the members of the DIH and external organizations. The analysis of innovations is performed not only on a regional scale, but also in international markets, through joint R&D&I projects, in cooperation with foreign research institutions and innovators, and representatives of digital business. It is important not only to know the needs of the market well, but also to constantly update the knowledge and learn from successful technological solutions.

The FTDIH cooperation model enables, based on equality and non-discrimination, the latest achievements of the science and technology sector to be used by representatives of various economic and business sectors. In order to increase the diffusion of innovation, it is important that SMEs (which have not traditionally been close to digital) have access to the latest innovations and thus increase their competitiveness in dynamic markets. It is also important that technologies are created and developed, so DIH ensures the exchange of innovations at different levels of TRL, from idea to prototype commercialization. Mediation takes place at different levels, at the DIH level between the members of the center and at the market level with external actors, as well as with other DIHs at the regional and global level, thus creating a wide network of cooperation.

One of the most important aspects of DIHs for the future is the ability to provide access to innovative digital technologies that may not have been tested in this area yet. Despite the abundance of digital innovations, businesses are reluctant to implement solutions in their day-to-day operations that have not been properly tested in real conditions, partly due to mistrust and inertia, partly due to the risk of not getting a proper return on investment. DIHs play an important role in commercializing digital solutions, providing R&D&I services and building the infrastructure needed to develop, test and validate digital technologies in real conditions.

The role of the FTDIH is to find ways to connect its members with the appropriate private funding instruments available to them. In addition to public funding sources (international, EU, state support projects, programs, initiatives), there are funding mechanisms arising from the private sector. Various private financing schemes are available, such as: investments from private companies interested in developing specific ideas and products; individual investors (business angels) or venture capital funds that provide the necessary funds for ambitious start-ups; incubating an innovative idea (often the first step towards its transformation into a commercial product). DIH also acts as a business incubator, facilitating the establishment and growth of new innovative companies by providing (encouraging) the support they need.

FTDIH’s international cooperation gives the center competitiveness and operational sustainability. One of the goals is the exchange of innovations and knowledge, where examples of good practice from other regional and international DIHs are used to apply (replicate) them in the local market, and innovations created with the help of DIHs are commercialized in international markets. Another goal is to strengthen FTDIH competencies, accumulate knowledge, expand the geography of the market, thus ensuring business continuity. The third goal is to become a member of the European networks of digital innovation centers, thus ensuring long-term cooperation and support.