EPICENTRE Project: Successful Event Showcases European Innovation: Vitum, IamHero, and Frizbit lead the way

Submitted by Joan Puate Puy on 26 September 2024

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On Thursday, September 19, the Social Hub at the Bofill Foundation in Barcelona hosted “Innovative Solutions: Advancement of the European Program EPICENTRE”, a key event that highlighted the latest breakthroughs in European innovation. The event, which marked the conclusion of the Sustain phase of the EPICENTRE program, was hailed as a success, with Vitum Technologies, IamHero, and Frizbit emerging as the standout projects, advancing to the final phase of the program.

EPICENTRE: Empowering SMEs and Startups Across Europe

The EPICENTRE program, funded by the European Union and coordinated by Clúster Digital in collaboration with Campania Bioscience (Italy) and LitMEA (Lithuania), aims to accelerate the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in key sectors such as health, agri-food, fintech, and digital technology. 

The program's first call in July 2023 attracted 80 innovative projects, 25 of which were selected to enter the Launch phase. Over the next four months, these companies worked to develop their solutions, with 12 advancing to the Sustain phase, a nine-month period of intensive training, mentorship, and project development. The event in Barcelona marked the culmination of this phase, offering participants a platform to present their solutions to an influential audience of investors, corporations, and innovation leaders.

Event Highlights: Panel Discussions and Collaboration

The event was opened with a welcome introduction by Joan Puaté, Manager of Clúster Digital, followed by an inspiring speech from Valentino Izzo, Project Manager at the European Commission. Isabel Botey, Project Manager of EPICENTRE at Clúster Digital, highlighted the financial support available to participants, with grants of up to €42,400 for project development, alongside €6,850 for training and mentorship from the EPICENTRE Academy.

Throughout the day, various panel discussions offered deeper insights into the challenges and opportunities in key sectors. These sessions underscored the collaborative nature of the program, where companies not only gain funding but also strategic guidance to refine their ideas and build valuable connections.

  • Panel 1 focused on Digital-Fintech Challenges and Solutions, moderated by Isabel Botey, and included presentations from GRECA Finance GmbH, Frizbit Technology S.L., and Qpick Z.O.O.
  • Panel 2, moderated by Laura Uturyte from LitMEA, explored Innovation in the Agri-food Sector, featuring participants ENISMARO, Soluzioni Tirinnanzi Srl, Vitum Technologies SL, FOODOC SRL, and UAB REDIGA.
  • Panel 3 addressed Health Sector Challenges and Solutions, moderated by Roberta Lauro from CBIOS, with contributions from IamHero Srl, MB Skaitmeninis, MB Socialines inovaziosos, and MB Augaliniai vaillai.



Celebrating the Winning Projects: Vitum, IamHero, and Frizbit

The event culminated with the announcement of the three standout companies selected to move on to the final phase of the program (Drive). An expert evaluation committee, composed of corporate representatives, assessed each project based on its innovation, scalability, and readiness to collaborate with large organizations.

  • IamHero captivated the audience with its gamified platform for training professionals in the digital sector. Combining education with technology, IamHero offers a unique, engaging approach to workforce development in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
  • Frizbit, a company specializing in AI-driven automated marketing, impressed the jury with its ability to personalize customer communication and enhance digital engagement. Their innovative approach has the potential to transform how businesses connect with clients in real-time.
  • Vitum Technologies  showcased a cutting-edge IoT and data analysis solution for asset management in the agricultural sector. Vitum’s project promises to optimize resource use and improve efficiency in farming, a critical sector for the European economy.

These three companies will now advance to the Drive phase, where they will have the opportunity to conduct pilot projects with large European corporations and test their technologies in real-world scenarios.

A Platform for Future Innovation

The success of the Innovative Solutions: Advancement of the European Program EPICENTRE event highlighted the strength and creativity of European startups and SMEs. In addition to the panel discussions and project presentations, attendees had ample opportunity to network and build partnerships during the coffee break and lunch, fostering connections that could lead to future collaborations.

The event solidified the role of EPICENTRE as a vital accelerator of innovation in Europe. By bringing together small and medium-sized businesses with large corporations, EPICENTRE enables the development of groundbreaking solutions that address some of the most pressing challenges in health, agri-food, fintech, and digital sectors.

As the program enters its final phase, all eyes will be on Vitum, IamHero, and Frizbit as they continue their journey toward realizing their innovative visions and contributing to the future of European technology.

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