Danube-INCO.NET project is promoting Research and Innovation Support Initiatives and encourages their possible establishment.  One of the objectives within the “Promoting Innovative and Inclusive Danube Societies” (WP5) is to support capacities in technology transfer through creation and support of Danube Technology Transfer Centres Network. Hereinafter you can find some information on the DTC Cluj-Napoca as a success story.

Started in 2012 as a project based initiative in the framework of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region, DTC Cluj-Napoca is one of the first pilot centers of the Danube Innovation and Technology Transfer (DTC) Network, coordinated by Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum, and counting at the present 9 units spread over the countries of this region.

DTC Cluj-Napoca is hosted by the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca but, organizationally, it functions as an open regional network of offices established in 6 universities and research institutions from the Northern and Western parts of Romania that share their mission and strategic coordination, but are independent entities, integrated with their host organizations.Clusters such as Transylvanian furniture cluster, regional governing bodies and development agencies, as well as important companies and SMEs are completing this regional eco-system. DTC Cluj-Napoca has been part of several consortia for proposals (e.g. Reflective-6-2015) and projects (e.g. NoGAP) in FP7 and H2020. Besides, the DTC cooperates with several companies, e.g. by connecting them to relevant R&D organizations or by developing together new products.

For supporting the DTC Network activity, DTC Cluj-Napoca has developed the TIN Portal(http://www.muri.utcluj.ro/dtc/tin-portal/), which allows the mapping of both RDI capabilities of universities and research organizations as well as the needs for knowledge and innovation in organizations from the socio-economic environment of the EU Danube macro-region. After its validation and implementation, the TIN Portal will become a strong instrument to connect people and organizations for opening the cross-border knowledge cooperation and facilitating its conversion into innovative solutions for economic and social prosperity.

For further information, check DTC Cluj-Napoca’s website