FFplus, the 4th edition of the Fortissimo project, will support European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in testing new applications of high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI). Initiated by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, the project will build on the experience and proven successes of the Fortissimo and FF4EuroHPC projects.
Over the past ten years, this series of projects started with Fortissimo (2013-2016) and continued with Fortissimo 2 (2015-2018) and FF4EuroHPC (2020-2023), has enabled more than 130 experiments, with 120 success stories involving more than 330 partners across Europe.
Cineca, a long-standing partner in the project since its inception, has been instrumental in securing millions of euros in funding for around 100 Italian SMEs. Their collaboration has led to the development of innovative solutions across various sectors.
The FFplus project will provide European SMEs with the opportunity to develop an array of new products and services that will enhance European competitiveness. The project will provide financial support, facilitate access to EuroHPC resources, and offer expert guidance in technical, business development, and outreach activities, all tailored to the needs of SMEs.
This new edition will support SMEs through six open calls to fund experiments and innovation studies based on HPC and generative AI.
FFPlus is coordinated by the German supercomputing centre HLRS/University of Stuttgart. In addition to Cineca, the partners are Scapos AG, Teratec, CESGA, Arctur, and CYFRONET.
FFplus started on May 1, 2024, and will run for 48 months.
With its strong track record, CINECA is confident in meeting FFplus challenges and driving innovation.
