EDIH Conference 2026
Sharing What Works: Best Practices from the EDIH Conference 2026
How European Digital Innovation Hubs are turning knowledge into real impact for SMEs and the public sector
A shared mission across Europe
On 21 April 2026, we had the pleasure of welcoming representatives from European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), the Enterprise Europe Network, and innovation leaders from nine European countries to our international EDIH Conference. Throughout the day, we shared a clear sense of purpose: a commitment to turning digital ambition into practical, accessible support for SMEs, startups, and public institutions across Europe. While each country brings its own context and challenges, the direction is the same—making digital innovation work in real life.
From ambition to real-world impact
The conference brought together a diverse range of use cases, offering both inspiration and practical insights. Across sectors such as public administration, healthcare, finance, and skills development, speakers demonstrated how EDIHs are helping turn ideas into measurable outcomes.
A standout example came from Prague, where Miky Škoda (EDIH CTU) introduced an AI Assistant already delivering tangible results for the Czech Ministry of Finance—saving hundreds of hours by streamlining compliance checks and simplifying access to information.
From Germany, Wilko Westphal (EDIH DInO) highlighted an equally important dimension of innovation in rural regions. His message was clear: “test before invest” is not only about technology—it’s about trust, collaboration, and working closely with local communities.
Healthcare innovation also took center stage, Anja Barešić (AI4Health.Cro) shared how AI-driven solutions are improving clinical workflows in Croatia while also contributing to a more positive public perception of artificial intelligence.
Meanwhile, Stelian Brad (DIH4Society) from Romania emphasized the importance of structured testing environments, showing how they help organizations move from uncertainty to confident, evidence-based decision-making.
Adding a strategic perspective, keynote speaker Libor Bešenyi (Xolution) explored the concept of autonomous enterprises. He challenged a common misconception: that implementing GenAI alone leads to autonomy. Instead, he underscored the need to align people, processes, and decision-making to truly unlock its potential.
Supporting startups and unlocking finance
Beyond technology, the conference also addressed the critical role of business support and financing in driving innovation.
Eva Šimeková (Hopero) presented how Slovak startups are being guided toward investment readiness, helping them navigate early-stage challenges and position themselves for growth. Complementing this, Vojtěch Kadlec (UNICO) introduced hybrid financial instruments as a way to bridge funding gaps—offering more flexible solutions where traditional financing models often fall short.
Making digital skills accessible
Digital skills and accessibility were also a strong theme. Returning to this topic, Anja Barešić presented AI4Health.Cro’s comprehensive education programme for MedTech SMEs and healthcare professionals. A particularly effective initiative involved collaboration with the Croatian Medical Chamber, allowing these courses to count toward doctors’ mandatory lifelong learning credits—significantly boosting participation. Building on this, Patrik Ruman (Techband) demonstrated how AI-powered tools are lowering barriers to entry, enabling non-technical users to learn coding and actively participate in digital creation. The message was simple but powerful: digital transformation must be accessible to everyone, not just specialists.
Strengthening connections across ecosystems
Finally, Stanislav Kuznetsov (EXPERTS.AI) introduced a new cross-country SME.support platform designed to simplify access to EDIH services across nine European ecosystems. This tool makes it easier for businesses and public organizations to find the right support, reinforcing the idea that innovation thrives when ecosystems are connected.
Looking ahead
As the conference concluded, one message stood out above all: collaboration is not just beneficial—it is essential.
By sharing best practices, lessons learned, and real-world results, EDIHs are collectively accelerating Europe’s digital transformation. Events like this serve as a reminder that progress happens fastest when knowledge flows freely across regions and sectors.
A sincere thank you to all speakers and participants for their expertise, openness, and energy.
If you missed the conference, you can watch the full recording on Youtube.
The conference was organized under the Interreg Danube project CapTTict.
