DIGEM – Digital Gateway Emerging Markets
Your contact at ICS
Lisa-Maria KATHOLNIG
Abigail GARCIA
Alexandra KOHRGRUBER
NEW: Emerging Markets Fit Check online!
Your gateway to emerging markets!
Styrian companies are under considerable pressure due to geopolitical tensions, high energy prices, a shortage of skilled workers and increasing regulation. Competitiveness vis-à-vis the USA and China is declining, but emerging markets offer new opportunities with high growth rates, a young population, their attractive role as a procurement market in the global supply chain system and technological innovation.
Through the Digital Gateway Emerging Markets (DiGEM) project, the ICS will accompany Styrian companies on their way into these promising future markets from 1 September 2025 to (initially) 31 August 2027. Co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the project aims to bundle key support in three areas of action:
1. Market diversification – internationalisation projects
- Market research, target group and competitor analyses
- Localisation consulting for products and services
- Feasibility studies for sustainable projects
- Establishment of resilient supply chains
2. Digitalisation in exports to emerging markets
- Promotion of AI implementations and process development
- Compliance and legal advice for new markets
- Training measures for employees
3. International recruitment of skilled workers
- Intercultural training and know-how development
- Support in developing sustainable skilled worker strategies
- Recruiting global talent
‘With DiGEM, we are making Styrian export businesses more crisis-proof and internationally competitive. Together, we are tapping into opportunities in the world’s most dynamic growth markets.’
MEASURES & SUPPORT FORMATS
- Emerging Markets Fit Check as an online self-assessment for your market readiness
- Initial personal consultations at ICS with external experts
- 75% direct funding for individual consulting services
- Emerging Markets Boot Camps with practical modules for sustainable knowledge building
- Economic missions to at least two selected emerging markets
TARGET GROUP
DiGEM is primarily aimed at SMEs, but also at large Styrian companies with internationalisation ambitions in emerging markets. In total, over 100 companies are expected to benefit from consulting, training and support measures.
DiGEM is co-financed by SFG Steirische Wirtschaftsförderung (Styrian Business Promotion Agency) with funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Further information on the IBW/ERDF & JTF programme can be found at www.efre.gv.at.
The project sponsor is the
Steirische Exportservice GmbH
Eine 100% Tochter der ICS Internationalisierungscenter Steiermark GmbH
Die Export Service Organisation der steirischen Wirtschaft
Lindweg 33, 8010 Graz
+43 316 601 400; office@ic-steiermark.at
www.ic-steiermark.at
