The new InovIA – Vouchers for Innovation program, launched by FCCN, the digital services unit of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), aims to be another step in democratizing access to supercomputing and artificial intelligence. Startups and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will be able to apply for the use of advanced computing resources to innovate.
It's already the next day June 6th, at 2pm, which takes place in the AIHub, in Lisbon, the program presentation session InovIA – Vouchers for Innovation, an initiative that aims to support startups and SMEs in free access to advanced computing resources. Participation is free, subject to prior registration, and registrations still available.
THE InovIA consists of applying for the allocation of free vouchers, so that companies can test and develop pilot projects with the support of resources in the Deucalion, a supercomputer funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, and in MareNostrum 5, two of the most powerful supercomputers in Europe.
These vouchers are also a incentive for companies to access in the future to the new AI Factory, based in Barcelona, where Portugal participates alongside Spain, Turkey and Romania.
What are the InovIA advantages?
Common agile application process, the InovIA aims to help mitigate the barriers that startups and small and medium-sized Portuguese companies may eventually have in access to cutting-edge technology, without bureaucracy or high costs.
Innovation requires experimentation and access to the best tools. However, many startups and SMEs face challenges in integrating advanced computing and AI into their processes, whether due to a lack of technical experience or high infrastructure costs.
THE InovIA arises to try to guarantee easy access to high-performance computing resources, but also technical support specialized, allowing any company, regardless of its level of knowledge, to test, validate and scale innovative solutions in the pre-commercial phase.
The purpose of this program is based on the FCT's desire to provide conditions for advanced computing is a growth engine for the Portuguese business ecosystem, through the creation of opportunities for national companies to explore the potential of HPC and artificial intelligence in an agile and accessible way.
Who is it intended for?
Any public or private entity can apply, as long as the resources are used to develop innovative solutions in a non-commercial phase. In addition, the program has a strong focus on supporting startups and SMEs, encouraging creation of new products, process optimization and experimentation with artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.
How does InovIA work?
THE InovIA makes available 25 pre-approved vouchers, which guarantee companies free access to computing time. For each access, the following is provided: provision of 50,000 CPU core hours, 1,000 GPU hours, 1 TB of storage and an initial duration of 6 months, with the possibility of reinforcement, if necessary.
THE application process is simplified, carried out by filling out a form online (PT/EN) and a validation of the order and prior technical evaluation. This will be followed by issuance of voucher and creating an account on the supercomputer most suited to the application presented: Deucalion or MareNostrum 5.
You selection criteria are simple and transparent: requests are analyzed by order of arrival, with priority for startups and national SMEs. Selected projects must start using the resources within three months of approval.
Common estimated total value of €70,000 in computing resources, the InovIA represents a unique opportunity for companies that want to enter the world of supercomputing without risks and without additional costs.
To the applications are now open and more information and access to the form is available online.
