SECO SPA

Their core work

SECO is an Italian electronics manufacturer specializing in embedded computing hardware — System-on-Module boards, single-board computers, and industrial IoT platforms. In the AXIOM project they contributed fast I/O module design for cyber-physical systems, bringing real hardware into research-grade architectures. By 2022 they joined EUPEX, the European Pilot for Exascale, placing them squarely inside Europe's sovereign HPC infrastructure program and the European Processor Initiative (EPI) ecosystem. Their value to consortia is hands-on hardware design and manufacturing capability, not software or system integration.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their first H2020 project (AXIOM, 2015–2018) SECO was focused on the edge: fast, modular I/O hardware for cyber-physical applications — think industrial machines, embedded controllers, real-time systems. There is a four-year gap before their second project, after which they reappeared in a very different context: EUPEX (2022–2026), the European Pilot for Exascale, tied to the European Processor Initiative. This represents a jump from edge computing toward the top of the performance spectrum, suggesting SECO is repositioning its hardware portfolio to serve both ends of the compute continuum.

SECO is climbing the compute hierarchy — from industrial edge modules toward European sovereign supercomputing infrastructure — which makes them an interesting hardware partner for any consortium touching HPC, edge-to-cloud continuum, or European processor independence.

How they like to work

SECO has never led an H2020 project, always joining as a participant within large, multi-partner consortia. With 32 unique partners across just 2 projects, they consistently operate inside broad research programs rather than running focused bilateral collaborations. This pattern is typical of hardware manufacturers who contribute components or platforms to a wider system architecture and let research institutions drive the scientific agenda.

Thirty-two unique consortium partners across 8 countries from only two projects indicates involvement in large, flagship European ICT programs with wide multi-national membership. No evidence of repeated bilateral partnerships — their network is broad but project-specific.

What sets them apart

SECO is one of the few Italian private manufacturing companies holding active participation in both edge-level cyber-physical hardware research and the European exascale HPC program — a span that covers nearly the full compute performance range. For consortium builders who need a credible European hardware manufacturer rather than a pure research institute, SECO brings product-grade embedded design capability with a track record in publicly funded programs. Their Arezzo base and non-SME status suggest an established production infrastructure, not just a research spin-off.

Highlights from their portfolio

• EUPEX
  Largest grant received (EUR 1.5M) and ties SECO to the flagship European Pilot for Exascale and the European Processor Initiative — Europe's most ambitious sovereign HPC program.
• AXIOM
  Earliest H2020 engagement, focused on agile fast I/O hardware for cyber-physical systems, establishing SECO's embedded computing credentials in a research context.