VRT is one of the original companies taking part in EDI from 2018. VRT is the Flemish public broadcaster in Belgium and aims to inform, inspire and connect. Through open innovation, VRT explores new technologies and applications in a media context. The innovation department works together on European and Flemish funded projects with partners such as startups, universities, broadcasters and media organisations, to connect audiences with the future of media. To learn more about VRT: https://innovatie.vrt.be/en
Could you tell us how you found out about the European Data Incubator, and why VRT decided to apply?
VRT focuses on open innovation, highlighting the value of collaboration. Our innovation department works together on European and Flemish funded projects with partners such as startups, universities, broadcasters and media organisations, to connect audiences with the future of media. At our accelerator VRT Sandbox, we facilitate collaborations between startups and the Flemish public broadcaster. The EDI project fits with our innovation approach by boosting international collaboration, stimulating the exchange of knowledge and expertise, and facilitating growth for startups and the media ecosystem, with a focus on big data.
What is the challenge you proposed to the EDI startups and why did you select this challenge?
We proposed two challenges. One challenge is about creating synthetic datasets from authentic user data. This will enable us to share data with external technology companies without exposing personal data. The other challenge is to automatically tag news articles. These tags will be used for the analysis of users and for personalising the news website.
Finally, what would you say to another corporate thinking of applying to be a data provider in EDI?
Big data can add substantial value to your organisation. Finding the required tools or approaches often pose a challenge to SMEs. EDI tackles these challenges by leveraging technology and knowledge on big data across countries and sectors. By joining the EDI project as a data provider, you are able to work together to solve major challenges in your organisation, as well as support big data startups in growing their expertise, business and services. The EDI project contributes to stimulating the international usage of big data, a wider circulation of approaches and innovating outcomes, and helping both SMEs and startups grow their business with data driven solutions.
Sounds interesting? You could join EDI and work with innovative startups to solve your big data challenges too.
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