FFplus Showcased Across Europe: Sweden, Germany, and Montenegro
The FFplus project continues to make its mark across Europe, engaging with scientific, industrial, and innovation communities to promote the use of High-Performance Computing (HPC), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and FAIR data practices. In recent weeks, project partners presented FFplus activities and opportunities at high-level events in Sweden, Germany, and Montenegro.
NCC Montenegro and NCC Slovenia Host Joint Workshop on AI Solutions for SMEs
On 7 October 2025, NCC Montenegro, in collaboration with NCC Slovenia, organised the workshop AI Solutions from Innovative SMEs: Practical Examples and Lessons Learned at the University of Donja Gorica in Podgorica.
The event explored opportunities and best practices in applying HPC and AI technologies within the business sector, gathering around 25 participants, including industry professionals and AI experts.
Representing Arctur and NCC SLING (Slovenia), Tomi Ilijaš discussed opportunities for SMEs within the HPC ecosystem, introducing support mechanisms that make advanced computing more accessible. He presented practical examples of SME innovation enabled by HPC services.
The workshop also introduced the upcoming FFplus Call: Innovative Studies for SMEs, opening in December 2025. As the successor to the Fortissimo projects (Fortissimo, Fortissimo-2, FF4EuroHPC; 2013–2023), FFplus will continue to empower European SMEs and startups—particularly those in Generative AI—to access computational resources required to scale their innovations.
FFplus at the Nordic Sub-Micron IR Microscopy Conference, Sweden
FFplus partner Ana Labrador (CESGA) presented the project at the First Nordic Sub-Micron IR Microscopy Conference, organised by the LINXS Institute of Advanced Neutron and X-ray Science in Lund, Sweden on October 15th, 2025.
Her presentation highlighted how FFplus supports digital innovation and data-driven research through HPC and AI resources. The strong engagement from researchers confirmed the growing interest in addressing complex microscopy challenges using AI technologies.
Labrador emphasised that researchers play a vital role in defining AI challenges, encouraging them to collaborate with innovative SMEs and startups to transform research insights into practical, business-oriented solutions. FFplus funding opportunities specifically target SMEs and startups aiming to leverage HPC and AI to enhance their products and services.
HPC Roundtable Germany: Munich Hosts Experts in HPC, AI, and Quantum Computing
On 23 October 2025, Do IT Now hosted the Second HPC Roundtable Germany in Munich, bringing together researchers, industry experts, and technology leaders to discuss the evolving role of HPC in enabling AI-driven innovation.
FFplus was represented by Bastian Koller (Coordinator), who delivered a keynote on AI Factories and the European Ecosystem, including the FFplus initiative. Sophia Viktoria Honisch further promoted the project in the Contributors Area, engaging visitors and sharing insights about FFplus support for European SMEs adopting HPC and AI.
Discussions throughout the day reaffirmed the importance of collaboration, sustainability, and knowledge exchange in shaping the next phase of HPC development in Europe.
Through its growing presence at key events across Europe, FFplus continues to bridge the gap between science, technology, and industry, helping SMEs and startups harness the power of HPC and AI to accelerate innovation and strengthen Europe’s technological competitiveness.