Didimo is a technological spin-off raised out of the need to bring human attributes such as emotion and empathy into virtual interactions. It became the leading creator of high-fidelity digital humans, bringing to life the key-human attributes – visual appearance, behavior, emotion and voice – through a 3D avatar

The Humanity in Digital Communication project aims to provide a 3D self-image (avatar) for use in a digital environment, in order to improve users’ interaction and online experience.

With the global increase of connectivity and the continuous present virtual interaction, MyDidimo creation assumes itself as the digital version of each individual / user, with application in different interfaces and technologies. This innovation will enable users to improve their online business experience, such as contribute to solve today’s digital business challenges and leverage new business and virtual applications.

According to the SME Instrument typology, the project foresees the development of demonstration and pilot actions involving international players – SONY and FARFETCH – which may assume the role of early adopters, and consequently allow the solution validation and market entrance.

The challenge faced by INOVA +, as with so many others start-ups, was to identify and capture financing to support the demonstration phase and prepare the product for the market.

The SME Instrument, with a competitive rate below 7%, was selected as the best support mechanism for a project with these characteristics: disruptive and with high potential for the global market.

DIDIMO had the critical substance for this kind of applications, attested by capital fund investment and numerous awards, including first place in the Women’s Startup Challenge VR and AI international competition – organized by Women Who Tech, which took place on New York Google’s installations.

The challenge was to draw together a solid and competitive project / narrative that encountered the current high standards of scrutiny of the European Commission. The introduction of a new stage in the evaluation process – face-to-face and exclusive interview / pitch for promoters, added the challenge of preparing the promoter team for the submission phase to the evaluators.

The action:

  • Designing the project rationale with an SME Instrument oriented approach, including the demo scenarios and partner target profile, etc.;
  • Elaborate and submit the application of the SME Instrument Phase 2 / Horizonte 2020 Program, current EIC Accelarator;
  • Strategic and business coaching;
  • Preparation of the promoter team for the interview / pitch presentation phase for the evaluators;
  • Monitoring the project implementation phase and support in the administrative and financial management process.

The results:

  • The proposal was selected among the 1765 applications submitted to the April 2019 call;
  • The Project was approved with a budget of 2,583,750 million euros for DIDIMO;
  • Start Date on October 1th of 2019 and the end date on September 30th of 2021;
  • Expected to double the number of highly skilled workers.

Client:

Didimo CEO, Verónica Orvalho

“ We got the SME! We could not be happier with this outcome, and together we made it happen. INOVA+ has always believed in us and in the project since the beginning. They never gave up, tried, tried and tried, until the approval.
Thank you to the tireless team involved. We will continue to work together. This phase is over, but we are also counting on you for the next one: implementation.
MyDidimo will be a reality! “

INOVA+ CEO, Miguel Sousa

” Success in the European area also means excellence in the projects that we accept and embrace, DIDIMO is a living example of this. It was not on the first submission! The resilience, teamwork, experience of the evaluation process and the ability to optimize the application project to overcome the 7% success rate of this instrument is proof that the effort pays off, and we deliver results.
We contribute to the evolution of our clients’ projects and reach the innovation market! “

Other Success Cases