There is still room for development in the understanding of the opportunities brought by digitalization, data economy, and the digital green transition in Kainuu and Kainuu-based businesses. The number of companies systematically utilizing data is quite small. Particularly, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kainuu need better and more comprehensive support for advancing digitalization and adopting new digital technologies, services, and processes for sustainable production. The AIKA 2 - Advancing the digital innovation hub ecosystem in Kainuu project, a collaboration between Kajaani University of Applied Sciences and CSC, aims to enhance and improve the capabilities of Kainuu businesses in digitalization and data utilization, providing them with tools for business improvement. The overall number of businesses in Kainuu is generally small, and there is a desire for more companies offering product development, digitalization, or high-performance computing services in the region. The project's goal is not only to enhance existing expertise but also to attract new knowledge and skills to the region through the establishment of new businesses and experts. The project is built upon several years of work to develop data expertise and the data center ecosystem in Kainuu. Through this effort, research and education institutions in Kainuu have recognized the opportunities presented by data and its growing role in almost all areas of activity. Additionally, Kajaani has formed an expertise cluster in high-performance computing, especially with the investment in the most powerful European LUMI EuroHPC supercomputer by CSC. Currently, CSC is capable of supporting LUMI's usage directly from Kajaani for businesses and research institutions in Northern and Eastern Finland. The main objective of the project is to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kainuu and the broader business network in Northern and Eastern Finland in their transition to the digital era. The sub-objectives of the project include: • Continuing the development of the AIKA service portfolio to meet the needs of local businesses, with a focus on data analytics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other current digitalization technologies. • Improving the adoption of technology and competitiveness in local SMEs through a "test before investment" service focused on digitalization. • Strengthening regional development by identifying similar areas and innovation clusters and building international collaborations with them. Through benchmarking regional economic impact, the project aims to share best practices and increase international networking in the Kainuu region. • Implementing the AIKA Training Academy, providing regular and diverse training to the project's target groups on the possibilities, tools, and impacts of digitalization, along with success stories and examples. • Disseminating the project's results widely to the target groups, utilizing the project's training and events, AIKA website and social media, communication channels of the implementers, traditional media, and newsletters. The AIKA 2 project aims to comprehensively address the goals of digital transition, increased business productivity, and strengthening workforce skills. The collaboration between Kajaani University of Applied Sciences and CSC will evolve, offering new opportunities for businesses, and the expertise of the implementers in data and digitalization will further strengthen. The project's work packages will pilot artificial intelligence and data analytics to enhance business productivity, seek new knowledge from abroad, and organize easily accessible training in the Kainuu region. Thus, the content of the project aligns with the diverse requirements of supporting digital transition, with a focus on the use of artificial intelligence, data analytics, and other current digitalization methods in business. Kajaani University of Applied Sciences serves as the main project implementer, with CSC as the sub-project implementer. The project will be carried out from 2024 to 2027.