InovIA – Innovation Vouchers
Easy access to supercomputers for Startups and SMEs
InoVIA is an innovation voucher program that provides fast access to supercomputers such as Deucalion and MareNostrum 5, as well as the new AI Factory in Barcelona . It is aimed at startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that want to use advanced computing for innovation.
The adoption of supercomputing and artificial intelligence can be a decisive factor in the success of innovative projects. However, many companies face barriers to accessing these technologies, whether due to a lack of technical knowledge or difficulties in financing computing infrastructure.
The InoVIA program was created to eliminate these barriers and provide easy and free access to advanced computing resources, enabling Startups and SMEs to have an environment for experimenting and testing high-performance solutions, without the initial costs typically associated with investing in this technology.
The goal of this program is to ensure that companies can fully exploit the potential of these resources, optimizing processes, developing new products, and improving market competitiveness. The application process will be simplified, allowing companies to begin utilizing the resources within a few weeks.
Who can apply?
- National startups and SMEs;
- Public and private entities in Portugal;
- Projects focused on innovation and in the pre-commercial phase, exclusively for non-profit purposes.
How do I access InovIA vouchers and AI Factories?
| Access | Resources | Platforms | Technical support | where to COMPETE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| InovIA FCT Vouchers | 50,000 CPU core hours | 1,000 GPU hours | up to 1 TB of storage | Duration: 6 months | Possibility of resource reinforcement upon evaluation. | DEUCALION MARENOSTRUM 5 | Prior experience with HPC access is highly recommended. Deucalion provides technical support for account creation and onboarding of the project. | InovIA – Vouchers for Innovation |
| BSC (National Quota) AI Factory | variable, depending on experience and project needs | MARENOSTRUM 5 | YES, upon request | BSC AI Factory Access |
| AI Factories (EuroHPC) | variable, depending on platform and type of access – playground, fast lane, large | MARENOSTRUM 5 LEONARDO LUMI MELUXIN DISCOVERER VEGA | YES, upon request | Access Calls EuroHPC -AI Factories |
Previous experience recommended.
InovIA Application in 4 Steps
- Enrollment – Filling out the online form (PT/EN).
- Assessment – Administrative and technical validation within 5 business days.
- Approval – Issuance of voucher and signing of acceptance terms.
- Access – Creating an account on Deucalion or MareNostrum 5.
Selection criteria
- Valid applications will be accepted by Order of arrival (first-come, first-served).
- Priority for Startups and SMEs (minimum 50% of vouchers).
- Candidate availability to start the project within 3 months of approval.
InovIA Vouchers Approved
See the updated list of approved projects in Projects > Advanced Computing Projects