The overall objective of the Photonics4Industry Partnership is to strengthen cluster management excellence, create exchange opportunities and build a sustainable pan-European strategic partnership of 5 photonics clusters in order to accelerate industrial modernisation, particularly enhancing the competitiveness of member small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The objective will be achieved by developing a joint partnership strategy, improving cluster excellence, developing new services for cluster members, promoting peer learning with ClusterXchange mobility scheme, while implementing joint business to business (B2B) and cluster to cluster (C2C) activities, including outreach to non-photonics Industry clusters, linking to EU and regional policies, including smart specialization, and increasing awareness of the new ecosystem and it’s digital platform.
The expected results are:
Photonics4Industry will deliver at least 100 cluster exchanges via ClusterXchange scheme in at least 5 European countries. At least 12 consortia staff members will enhance cluster management skills and at least 250 SMEs will benefit from at least 20 new individual and joint services developed during the project. Cooperation agreements will be signed with at least 2 external non-photonics Industry clusters and with at least 5 established innovation networks. 1000 SMEs will be reached by project communication.
More information at www.photonics4industry.eu
Networking, employee skills and recruitment and digital services were the topics focused on in the development of new cluster services within the Photonics4industry project.
Within the Photonics4Industry project, the participating clusters Photonics Austria, Photonics Bretagne, Photonics BW, Photonics Finland and Toolas (Lithuania) designed and implemented a range of new services to their members.
From a longlist of 20 possible services, addressing expressed members needs related to networking, employee skills and recruitment and digital services, the clusters implemented a select few.
Joint delegation trips
Most prominent and aided by travel grants through the ClusterXChange scheme were the joint delegation trips. Participants from all the consortiums clusters were invited to get to know Photonics Austria during the event held with regard to the International Day of Light from May 15-17, 2023. Workshops on quantum technologies, green photonics and Cooperative innovation & Funding opportunities attracted more than 50 participants.
The Optics and Photonics Days 2023 from 30th May to June 1st were seasoned by Photonics Finland with two days of company visits in the Joensuu area and also attracted more than 20 international participants.
Photonics BW offered a programme in connection to the Laser.World of Photonics trade show. Between June 26th and 30th, around 20 international visitors participated in this exclusive programme, starting with a welcome workshop with cluster and company presentations as well as networking. During the trade fair, the participants had the opportunity to meet several companies on thematic tours with specific technological focus dedicated to Machine Vision, Laser Sources, Biophotonics, Optical Metrology, Quantum Technology as well as Materials and components. Invitations to the consortium clusters’ pavilions offered select networking opportunities.
Recruitment and employee skills
To address the SMEs need for skilled workforce, an international job board was set up at the project’s digital platform www.photonics4industry.eu/jobs
Photonics Bretagne created the PhD Days, a three-day, fully English-speaking event, aiming to bring together PhD students, research centres and companies from the field of photonics, and to explore entrepreneurship. On the agenda: conferences, PhD pitches, PhD posters, “PhD to Startup” workshop, 1-to-1 appointments with CEOs, networking, and visits to industry and research facilities. After a successful start in January 2023, the 2nd edition is just about to begin.
To further train opical engineers, the Advanced Lens Seminar organised by Photonics BW was set up as fully English-speaking training in autumn 2023. Four days full of learning, in theory, practical examples and hands-on excercises.
Digital services
Within this scope, Photonics BW established a dedicated search engine among their member base to provide direct access to its members products and services. This can be used via www.photonicsbw.de.
The projects‘ digital platform did evolve not only to be the information hub on all the projects‘ acitivies, it is also the access point to an automated matchmaking tool, which allows members to specifically search for potential partners in Austria, Baden-Württemberg, Brittany, Finland and Lithuania. Try it for yourself at https://www.photonics4industry.eu/p4i-matchmaking-tool/
As part of the P4I ClusterXChange at LASER World of PHOTONICS in Munich, Photonics BW conducted various thematic tours on the key topics Laser Material Processing, Biophotonics, Quantum Technologies, Machine Vision, Optical Metrology and Optical Components. Numerous international participants gained insights into the latest technologies and products of the member companies and had the opportunity to establish new contacts.
The networking events at the booths of OptecNet Deutschland, Photonics Finland, Photonics Bretagne and the Lithuanian Pavilion offered additional opportunities for personal exchange and initiating cooperations.
We would like to thank the member companies for exciting insights:
Eva Kerwien (kerwien(at)photonicsbw.de)
Photonics4Industry is Co-funded by the COSME programme of the European Union under Grant Agreement No. 101037888
Project Duration: 01.02.2022 - 31.01.2024