The increasing importance of sustainability confronts manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with new challenges: the documentation of CO2 emissions and resource consumption, digital documentation obligations and the search for sustainable and efficient solutions. The effort required to convert this data into a digitalized form opens up an economically attractive opportunity to use the information obtained for the targeted optimization of the company's resource consumption.
For this reason, the HOREMA innovation network aims to give medium-sized IT companies the opportunity to develop new technologies. Building on this, the aim is to create coherent and data-driven business strategies to increase sustainability and energy efficiency for SMEs in the manufacturing industry.
To this end, an ecosystem of medium-sized IT companies and production companies is planned, which will jointly develop an innovative platform strategy for sustainable production. At the heart of the network is holistic multi-agent optimization under the motto “Holistic Resource Management in the Manufacturing Industry (HOREMA)”, which opens up completely new possibilities for achieving fundamental sustainability and opening up new business areas.
Advantages for SMEs
- Technological leadership
Access to the latest technologies and findings from renowned research partners (TUM, fortiss, University of Augsburg, Fraunhofer). - Innovation
Support in initiating new research and development projects for the business areas of the future. - Expert mentoring
Support from Prof. Klaus Diepold (TUM) and Prof. Bernhard Bauer (University of Augsburg) at the network meetings. - Support and coaching
Coordination of the network by fortiss and advice on further funding opportunities. - Synergy effects
Exchange and cooperation with partners from the IT sector and the manufacturing industry.
Overview
Time frame
- Expected project start: Spring 2025
- Duration of the first phase: 12 months
Funding
- 90% of the network management costs for SMEs
- Low own contribution per company
- Funding through the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM)
Number of participants
- Target number: 9 –15 companies
- Precise calculation before application
Role and expectations of SMEs in the network
Active participation
- in workshops and network meetings with experience reports and keynote speeches (approx. twice a quarter).
Participation
- in the development of a common approach to holistic resource management.
Generating ideas
- for digital business models and sharing own experiences and visions.
Commitment
- in the initiation of research and development projects.
