I4S (“ICSC for Start-ups”) is an innovation support program created by ICSC, the Italian Center on HPC, Big Data, and Quantum Computing. Its goal is to facilitate matchmaking and foster collaboration on innovation activities between start-ups and ICSC. The program aims to support innovative start-ups, research spin-offs, and innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through financial aid and specialized services related to computing. By fostering synergies between the scientific community and the industrial sector, the program seeks to benefit national research and the country at large. Through this initiative, the ICSC aims to involve universities, research institutions, and Italian companies, even those not already part of the Center. Supporting start-ups, innovative SMEs, or research spin-offs allows the ICSC to amplify its impact, ensure the practical application of scientific discoveries, and promote sustainable and innovative solutions to tackle societal challenges.
Target Audience
The program is designed for:
- Innovative Start-ups, located throughout Italy, as defined by Italian Law Decree 179/2012 and strengthened by Law 77/2020.
- Innovative SMEs, located in Italy, as defined by Law Decree 3/2015.
- University Spin-offs that have already been established.
Focus Areas
The program supports business plans aligned with the ICSC’s activities, specifically:
- High-Performance Computing
- Big data
- Quantum Computing
- Artificial intelligence
The supported activities must be highly technological and innovative, aimed at fostering new entrepreneurship, promoting technology transfer, and enhancing the value of results from public and private research systems.
Funding and Services
I4S provides funding from its dedicated economic fund for deserving start-ups, spin-offs, or innovative SMEs, with a total maximum amount of €500,000 for all financed projects. This funding is non-repayable, meaning the total amount granted does not need to be returned. However, the actual disbursement of funds is linked to the successful execution of projects defined during the selection phase. In addition to financial support, I4S offers complementary services such as expertise, computational resources, or storage capabilities provided by ICSC, all tailored to the requirements of the selected projects.
Eligible Expenses
The program finances business plans that include the following types of expenses:
- Personnel costs directly involved in the project
- Expenses for tools and equipment essential for project implementation
- Costs for scientific consultancy or technical-scientific assistance related to the project
- Other operational costs (e.g., consumable materials)
Application Process
Applications can only be submitted via the online procedure available on the ICSC’s website: https://www.supercomputing-icsc.it/.
A Selection Committee composed of technical, scientific, and professional experts will evaluate the projects based on criteria such as:
- Quality and level of innovation
- Expertise involved
- Impact potential
- Technical and financial feasibility
