🌐 Making sense of Europe’s Cloud-Edge-IoT complexity
On 12 January, CEI-Sphere hosted the webinar “Understanding the CEI Ecosystem via the Hourglass Model”. The session introduced a practical framework to help stakeholders navigate Europe’s rapidly evolving Cloud-Edge-IoT (CEI) landscape.
Our Managing Consultant Damir Filipovic explained that the Hourglass Model is not static, but a core part of CEI-Sphere’s backbone toolkit for building scalable, trustworthy ecosystems. Maria Giuffrida of Trust-IT Services described it as a strategic canvas to map the critical relationships between stakeholders, technological capabilities, governing standards, and open-source implementations.
Already applied in areas such as EV charging, energy flexibility, and large-scale pilots like O-CEI, the model provides a shared language across policy, business, and technology, helping stakeholders focus where interoperability matters most while evolving alongside regulation, standards, and real-world use cases.
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🔒 CyberSec Pro Universidade Lusófona
On 21 January, the Universidade Lusófona of Lisbon hosted the Entrepreneurship & Cybersecurity Summit, under the EU-funded CyberSecPro project. Policymakers, investors, academics, and entrepreneurs discussed how advanced digital skills are shaping Europe’s cyber innovation landscape.
The day started with a keynote by Brendan Rowan, our Managing Consultant, setting the tone for the day: cybersecurity and advanced digital capabilities are no longer niche areas, they are foundational to modern entrepreneurship.
The summit also emphasised the importance of bridging academia and industry, aligning education pathways, professional standards, and industry expectations to strengthen Europe’s cyber workforce. Investors offered insights into scaling cybersecurity ventures, highlighting the value of strong founding teams, breakthrough technologies, and scalable business models. Meanwhile, emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and 6G communications are reshaping security practices and business models, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurial growth.
Reach out and tap into our expertise to fuel your strategic success.
⚛️ Is Europe ready to move from AI consumer to AI creator?
During the webinar “The edge computing landscape in the semiconductor industry in Europe” speakers Luis Fernandes and Alexandra Rotaru explored whether Europe is prepared to lead in Generative AI.
Highlights:
Three out of four European companies are experimenting with GenAI, but only 16% use it at scale. Often, initiatives rely on reallocated budgets, creating short-term productivity gains but growing technical debt and security risks.
Edge computing remains underfunded, Europe accounts for just 20% of global edge spending, despite a global market heading toward $100B.
Without stronger investment in edge infrastructure, semiconductors, and skills, Europe risks remaining an AI consumer, rather than a creator.
Now is the moment to build the foundations for competitive, sovereign AI.
Start a conversation today to see how our expertise aligns with your strategic goals.
⚡️ O-CEI plenary meeting: from ambition to action
O-CEI partners from across Europe met in Bilbao to review progress, address challenges, and prepare for a European Commission review.
With eight large-scale pilots underway, the meeting highlighted how ambitious CEI plans are turning into tangible outcomes:
242 proposals received, 149 evaluated, and 24 pre-selected for funding
Every pilot will integrate at least one funded project
Kick-offs planned for March, starting in Valencia
Pilots reported meaningful advances, demonstrating real-world benefits of Cloud-Edge-IoT technologies. Beyond delivery, O-CEI is shaping a long-term vision for Europe’s CEI ecosystem, laying foundations for standardisation that could influence wider European strategy.
Team up with us and explore the strategic pathways that will accelerate your company's success.
💡 Innov8rs Graduate Programme: innovation starts with people
Collaboration with ESB continues through the Innov8rs Graduate Innovation Programme, now entering in its second phase.
Eight cross-functional graduate teams are learning to identify, engage, and synthesise insights from stakeholders shaping Ireland’s energy future, supporting ESB’s Net Zero 2040 strategy.
Highlights include:
Stakeholder mapping, interview design, and insight synthesis
Fireside chat with Brendan Rowan and Gráinne Byrne, sharing insights from ESB’s X_Potential programme
Hands-on workshops translating theory into actionable energy solutions
Connect with us and gain valuable insights to drive your strategic decisions forward.
