There is a lot going on at the JKU Open Innovation Center and would like to take the opportunity to introduce some of the companies and partners based at the LIT.
What motivated the Economic Chamber to move to the LIT Open Innovation Center?
Mag. Doris Hummer: When it comes to our local businesses and companies, technology & innovation are a major location advantage. The Economic Chamber supports an active partnership with science and academic - the JKU - and that is why we are also represented at the Open Innovation Center. The lively - but especially practical exchange in an "open space area" - between academia/science and business is very important to us.
In a few words, can you describe what makes your company unique?
Mag. Doris Hummer: The Economic Chamber of Upper Austria - as a lobby group and a professional as well as emotional home for companies in Upper Austrian - offers a wide range of services for all entrepreneurs and companies, especially in important areas such as innovation and technology/digitization. Our employees in the field of innovation are a first point of contact when it comes to "matching up" of science/academia and business.
Be honest - which of your projects is currently your favorite and why?
Mag. Doris Hummer: Data at companies acquires a whole new meaning when it comes to digitization. This kind of information is normally critical to a company and this means that IT security is very important. We want to make sure that business leaders become more aware about taking a closer look at data and IT security as this will be a decisive business factor in the future. The Johannes Kepler University has top researchers on site. Together, we show managers and executives at Upper Austrian companies various practical business applications, take a timely look into the future of their own industry or company when it comes to digitalization/IT security - but we also look other subject areas, such as innovative materials, energy, mobility, logistics, automation, robotics, Industry 4.0, just to name a few.
As the LIT Open Innovation Center is a co-working space, new forms of work and collaboration opportunities are being introduced at JKU. What opportunities do you see for research?
Mag. Doris Hummer: The Open Innovation Center is at the interface of high-end research and business - and it is precisely here that we, as an economic chamber of commerce, see a very special added value. We can take the latest research findings to companies and support cooperation between research and companies (especially small and medium-sized companies).
