The concept of the ‘technological platform’ refers to the cooperation between enterprises and organizations, which aims to the development and application of major technologies. More concretely, organizations from the industry, research, and financial institutions, regulatory authorities, and the users are cooperating to identify major technologies, as well as methods and best application practices of these technologies. 

It is about research and technological development consortia between ICT enterprises, research laboratories, institutions, user enterprises and other organizations. The main goal of these tasks is the enhancement of innovation and competitiveness in the Region of Central Mecedonia. The tasks of the R&TD consortia are concentrating on the development of innovative products in cutting edge technology sectors, but also in conventional sectors (e.g., food, chemicals, metal, plastics etc.) based on informatics technologies.

The creation of new enterprises is a critical path and empowerment strategy for the development of a new sector of industry. The tasks in this category are intended to create new knowledge –intensive companies that are based on the utilization of research results. In the frames of RIPCM, five new spin-offs will be established.

The horizontal tasks are intended to offer support services of innovation to all of the organizations (enterprises, research laboratories, consultants and technology transfer companies) that participate directly or indirectly in the Regional Innovation Pole of Central Macedonia. Horizontal activities include tasks concerning Strategy, Promotion and Transnational Technology Cooperation, Technology Transfer & Innovative Business Activity.

About RIPCM
The RIPCM is a cooperation network around the Informatics and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. It was created by organizations for research, innovative businesses, and technology transfer organizations, which cooperate with each other with a view to improve the innovation capability and international competitiveness of the ICT cluster located in Thessaloniki and Central Macedonia.
The RIPCM was created as a response to the policy drawn by the Ministry of Development and the General Secretariat of Research and Technology, aiming to reinforce the creation of substantial research clusters, technological development and knowledge-intense entrepreneurship. In the RICOM participate 24 research laboratories from Universities, Higher Technological Institutes and Research Centres, 36 enterprises, 3 other forms of organizations and 2 business associations of Northern Greece, while its horizontal activities are intended for all of the organizations of the Region that are active in the sector of ICT.

Mission
The RIPCM aims at contributing to the reinforcement of the regional innovation system. In long-term, it aims at the creation of an innovation system in the field of ICTs, while its direct objective is the enhancement of the innovation of ICT firms of the Region of Central Macedonia.

Vision
To boost competitiveness in the Region of Central Macedonia through the application of ICTs in a wide spectrum of productive, commercial, enterprise and administrative activities.

Objectives of the RIPCM
1. Development of applied research
2. Information on markets and products
3. Transfer of technology
4. Creation of spin-off companies
5. Development of new products
6. Optimizing proceses and logistics
7. Promotion of products in the international market
8. Creation of an innovation focused brand-name for the region of Central Macedonia

Financing
The Project Creation of the Regional Innovation Pole of Central Macedonia is financed under the ACTION 4.6.1: CREATION OF REGIONAL INNOVATION POLES, MEASURE 4.6: CREATION OF REGIONAL INNOVATION POLES – EAST THESSALONIKI INNOVATION ZONE of the Priority AXIS 4: TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION AND RESEARCH of the Operational Program “Competitiveness”. The overall budget of the action sums up to €4,06m., of which €2,9m. are Publicly Financed (74%) and €1,07m. (26%) Private Participation.