VSB - TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF OSTRAVA

Their core work

VSB - Technical University of Ostrava is a Czech technical university with deep expertise in high-performance computing, exascale systems, and their industrial applications. They develop and optimize parallel computing software, runtime systems, and data analytics platforms that help both researchers and industry solve computationally intensive problems. Their work spans from fundamental HPC infrastructure (through continuous involvement in the PRACE pan-European supercomputing initiative) to applied domains like predictive manufacturing, drug discovery, and smart water management. They also run national HPC competence centre activities, bridging the gap between supercomputing capabilities and real-world users in industry and science.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2015–2018), VSB focused on foundational HPC infrastructure: optimizing runtime systems, developing programming methodologies for heterogeneous architectures, and contributing to open access research infrastructure (OpenAIRE2020, PRACE-4IP, ANTAREX, READEX). From 2019 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward applied AI/ML on exascale platforms, quantum-safe communications, and using HPC to solve domain-specific problems in drug discovery, smart water management, and big data analytics. The university also moved from pure participation toward coordination, leading LEXIS — their largest project — which combined large-scale HPC execution with real industry and societal use cases.

VSB is evolving from an HPC infrastructure provider into a hub that applies supercomputing power to AI, quantum security, and industrial problem-solving — expect them to seek partners with domain-specific challenges that need massive compute.

How they like to work

VSB operates primarily as an active technical partner within large European consortia, contributing HPC expertise to multi-disciplinary teams. With 436 unique partners across 38 countries, they are a well-connected hub rather than a closed group — they rarely repeat partners and instead plug into diverse consortia wherever supercomputing skills are needed. Their four coordinator roles (including LEXIS at EUR 1.27M) show growing ambition to lead, but their core strength remains as the reliable HPC backbone in someone else's project.

An exceptionally broad network of 436 unique partners spanning 38 countries, built through sustained involvement in pan-European HPC infrastructure projects like PRACE and EuroCC. Their geographic reach extends well beyond Central Europe, with strong ties to Western European HPC centres, research universities, and industrial partners.

What sets them apart

VSB combines long-standing supercomputing infrastructure expertise with an unusual breadth of applied domains — from drug discovery to geothermal energy to quantum security — all unified by the common thread of intensive computation. Unlike many HPC-focused institutions in Western Europe, they bring a Central European cost structure and strong Widening Participation credentials, making them an attractive partner for consortia seeking geographic balance. Their continuous involvement in every PRACE implementation phase since 2015 makes them one of the most consistently active HPC contributors among Czech institutions.

Highlights from their portfolio

• LEXIS
  Their largest coordinated project (EUR 1.27M), demonstrating ability to lead large-scale HPC execution platforms serving both industry and public sector.
• EUROCC
  Nearly EUR 1M for building the Czech national HPC competence centre — positions them as the country's gateway for industry access to supercomputing.
• OPENQKD
  A strategic diversification into quantum-safe communications, connecting their computing infrastructure expertise to the emerging European quantum network.