Malta has long prided itself on its agility and innovation. Yet, for many aspiring entrepreneurs, the journey from a brilliant idea to a thriving business has often been a solitary and challenging one. Just ask any Maltese startup that has battled to scale up. It's a conversation as old as the Għar Dalam cave. We can't be certain whether Malta's earliest innovators worried about seed funding or hot-desking, but we can probably take a pretty good guess that access and support were always key. Now, a powerful force is emerging to bridge these gaps and supercharge our nation's startup scene: DiHubMT. It's not just a physical space; it's a dynamic hub that's rapidly reshaping how innovation flourishes in Malta.
As Malta aligns its national strategy with EU digital and innovation priorities, initiatives like DiHubMT are central to realising the goals set out in Malta Vision 2050 - fostering economic resilience, digital upskilling, and sustainable enterprise growth. This long-term vision sets out Malta's ambition to be a future-ready economy built on innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. DiHubMT represents a key milestone in this transformation, serving as a vehicle through which policy is translated into tangible outcomes, supporting our entrepreneurs, future-proofing our workforce, and enabling our economy to compete globally.
The Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise, and Strategic Projects spearheaded by Minister Silvio Schembri has played a pivotal role in enabling initiatives like DiHubMT, ensuring that Malta remains competitive, open to investment, and equipped with the infrastructure and policy support that modern enterprises demand. The Ministry's strategic oversight ensures that DiHubMT is not an isolated initiative, but an integral part of a broader vision to transition Malta to an innovation-driven country.The impact of DiHubMT since November 2024 has been nothing short of transformative. At its core is a rapidly growing community, now boasting over 160 active members. This isn't just a number; it represents a vibrant network where entrepreneurs, innovators, and experts connect, share knowledge, and collaborate. This sense of shared purpose is crucial for fostering an environment where ideas can truly take flight.
One of the most tangible benefits DiHubMT offers is its hot-desking service. With 26 start-ups already utilising this flexible workspace and another five awaiting approval, DiHubMT is directly addressing a fundamental need. This service not only helps reduce overheads for emerging businesses but also places them within a bustling hub of like-minded individuals, fostering organic networking and invaluable knowledge exchange.
DiHubMT's commitment to nurturing the ecosystem extends to its diverse and extensive event calendar. With over 25 events since the beginning of the year, attracting an average of 1,000 attendees, DiHubMT is a vital platform for discussion, learning, and connection. These events range from high-level strategic discussions, to empowering initiatives. Each event plays a crucial role in raising awareness, developing skills, and fostering a culture of innovation across all segments of our society.
Beyond events, DiHubMT is deeply invested in upskilling our workforce. The collaborations with the University of Malta, MCAST, and other educational institutions have led to eight targeted training programmes, aiming to reach 475 participants. Additionally, certified courses with AWS underscore our dedication to providing industry-relevant training that directly benefits our tech talent pool, ensuring Malta has the skilled professionals needed for future growth.
Looking ahead, DiHubMT is launching initiatives that promise to significantly accelerate the growth of our startup landscape. The imminent launch of a €2.5 million investment will provide startups with direct access to a network of mentors, advisors, and consultants across various sectors. This is a critical step in providing tailored, expert support to our promising ventures.
Furthermore, the planned pre-accelerator programme targeting 20-25 tech startups and a themed accelerator with a €140,000 investment are set to commercialize and scale innovative solutions, providing crucial support during the critical early stages of development.
DiHubMT's commitment to providing access to cutting-edge technology is also clear. The development of a High-Performance Computing (HPC) facility will democratise access to advanced computing resources, a vital component for modern research and development. The "Test Before Invest" scheme, which has already benefited over 30 companies and earned EU recognition, offers a pragmatic approach to innovation, allowing businesses to validate technologies before significant capital outlay. This is further complemented by a suite of cutting-edge resources, including 3D printers, Rendering High Tech Work Stations, an engineering lab, and a podcast studio.
Finally, DiHubMT's proactive outlook in conducting digital maturity assessments for over 139 companies, also receiving EU recognition, is vital. This helps Maltese businesses benchmark their digital strategies and identify areas for improvement, aligning our local industry with broader European digital transformation standards.
DiHubMT has rapidly established itself as an indispensable pillar of Malta's digital innovation ecosystem. Our multi-faceted approach, encompassing community building, practical support, strategic training, and access to funding and cutting-edge technology, is not just fostering individual startup success. It is fundamentally reshaping Malta's position as a regional leader in digital innovation and enterprise support. The future of innovation in Malta looks brighter than ever, thanks to the dedicated efforts of DiHubMT.
Kenneth Brincat is CEO Malta Digital Innovation Authority