Pilots and Demonstrators show how the technologies developed within the IPCEI-CIS become tangible in practice. They test interoperability across projects, validate integration approaches and demonstrate how sovereign, federated cloud-edge infrastructure can work in real-world environments.
Pilots
Within the IPCEI-CIS ecosystem, Pilots are integration-driven initiatives that bring together technologies developed across multiple projects and Integration Clusters. They act as convergence points for testing interoperability, joint performance and cross-project integration in cloud and edge environments. In doing so, they contribute to validating and refining the IPCEI-CIS Reference Architecture.
Demonstrators
Demonstrators are company-led initiatives. They focus on showcasing and validating specific solutions, components or use cases in concrete operational settings. They provide tangible evidence of how individual IPCEI-CIS results can be applied in practice.
Together, Pilots and Demonstrators build a bridge between the IPCEI-CIS and the broader 8ra Initiative. They make the 8ra vision visible, tangible and verifiable in practice: a sovereign, interoperable and secure Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum for Europe.
Overview
Ambiti8n
Type
Pilot
Focus area
Component activation, Workstream 3 integration, advanced cloud-edge services
What it is
Ambiti8n is a horizontal Workstream 3 initiative within the IPCEI-CIS / 8ra ecosystem. It addresses a core challenge of Workstream 3: advanced cloud-edge services are developed by different partners and need to be integrated, tested and validated within a shared, federated environment.
Workstream 3 focuses on advanced smart data processing tools and services, including AI, data services, application deployment, orchestration, infrastructure and data exchange. Ambiti8n provides a practical framework to bring these components together in an integrated horizontal pilot.
Its objective is to validate how heterogeneous edge services interact and how Workstream 3 components can support the IPCEI-CIS Reference Architecture in practice.
What it demonstrates
Ambiti8n demonstrates how components from different partners can be integrated into a common technical flow across the Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum.
The pilot focuses on the interaction between services such as AI components, data services, application deployment, orchestration, infrastructure and data exchange. It helps test whether these components can interoperate, be orchestrated and support defined use cases within a federated cloud-edge environment. This is tested in Use cases like Travel Companion Agent AI, AI-enabled sleep apnea application
This provides practical insights into the requirements for deploying services across different providers, infrastructures and operational contexts.
Contribution to the 8ra Initiative
Ambiti8n contributes to the 8ra Initiative by supporting the transition from individual technical developments to integrated cloud-edge services.
It serves as a practical validation environment for Workstream 3 showcasing integration of its reference architecture’s components, interfaces and creating an initial practical pilot. A key aspect is the assessment of Component Readiness Level: whether a component is not only technically mature, but also ready to interact with other components in the 8ra ecosystem.
By focusing on integration, interoperability and orchestration, Ambiti8n helps identify technical requirements, dependencies and potential gaps in the development of federated cloud-edge services.
Access and use
At this stage, Ambiti8n is primarily relevant for participating project partners. Future interaction with external organisations may be explored where it supports collaboration, adoption or further development within the 8ra ecosystem.
Collaboration and outlook
Ambiti8n supports structured collaboration across Workstream 3 and related technical activities. Its work is guided by three principles: Component Activation, Collaborative Execution and Integration and Use Case Focus.
The initiative helps identify integration issues early and provides practical feedback for architecture and implementation work. As Ambiti8n develops further, it can contribute to a clearer understanding of how advanced cloud-edge services can be deployed and combined within the 8ra ecosystem.
Website and contacts
Initiiert wurde Ambit8ion von E-Group (Antal Kuthy & Akos Tenyi & Marleni Diaz).
ApeiroRA
Type
Reference Architecture / Pilot
Focus area
Data and context in distributed cloud-edge environments
What it is
ApeiroRA, the Apeiro Reference Architecture, is SAP’s contribution to the IPCEI-CIS. It provides an open reference architecture for interoperable cloud-to-edge infrastructure based on proven open-source standards.
The architecture is structured around three domains: Data Fabric, Cloud Operating System and Baremetal Operating System. Together, they support data discovery and exchange, distributed cloud operations and the management of compute, storage and networking infrastructure.
What it demonstrates
ApeiroRA demonstrates how cloud and edge infrastructure can be built on common open standards instead of provider-specific approaches. It shows how workloads and services can become more portable across heterogeneous environments through shared interfaces, reusable blueprints and cloud-native deployment patterns.
Contribution to the 8ra Initiative
ApeiroRA contributes to the 8ra Initiative by providing a common architectural foundation for interoperability, portability and digital sovereignty within the Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum.
It helps reduce fragmentation across cloud and edge environments and supports compatible deployments across providers, infrastructures and operational contexts.
Access and use
ApeiroRA is relevant for developers, architects, service providers, infrastructure providers and organisations seeking more control over their cloud infrastructure.
Its documentation, blueprints and components can support adoption by partners of the IPCEI-CIS and other interested organisations.
Collaboration and outlook
ApeiroRA is developed openly and iteratively with participants of the IPCEI-CIS and industry adopters. Its open-source approach supports transparent development, reusable components and collaboration with established open-source communities.
Website and contacts
FACIS Proof of Concepts
Type
Proofs of Concept
Focus area
Federated data collaboration, service composition, interoperability, SLA governance
What it is
The FACIS Proofs of Concept validate selected FACIS tools and concepts in practical test environments. They are designed to show how federated data collaboration can work in real-world-like workflows of companies or organisations.
FACIS focuses on the composition of decentralised digital services in federated cloud-edge environments. The PoCs apply this work in concrete use cases and help demonstrate how technical components, governance mechanisms and interoperability patterns can support trustworthy collaboration across providers and partners.
What it demonstrates
The FACIS PoCs demonstrate how federated services and data collaboration tools can be integrated, tested and validated in practical settings.
They may involve elements such as Federation Architecture Patterns, machine-readable Service Level Agreements, digital contracting mechanisms, interoperability testing and orchestration components. The focus is not on presenting these elements in isolation, but on showing how they work together in a secure and sovereign test environment.
Contribution to the 8ra Initiative
The FACIS PoCs contribute to the 8ra Initiative by testing mechanisms that are essential for the Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum: interoperability, trust, service composition, governance and cross-provider collaboration.
They help provide practical evidence for how federated cloud-edge services can be designed, provisioned and managed across different providers while maintaining reliability, security and accountability.
Access and use
The FACIS PoCs are primarily relevant for IPCEI-CIS partners working on federation, orchestration and service integration. External organisations interested in federated service models may use the results as a starting point for further exchange with the 8ra ecosystem.
Collaboration and outlook
The FACIS PoCs are developed through practical collaboration with companies, organisations and technical partners. Use cases are selected, requirements are defined in workshops, and solutions are built and tested in a controlled environment.
As the PoCs develop further, they can support shared learning, demonstrate interoperability across partners and provide feedback for the further development of FACIS tools and the wider 8ra ecosystem.
Website and contacts
Fact8ra
Type
Pilot
Focus area
AI services on federated cloud-edge infrastructure
What it is
Fact8ra provides a multi-tenant AI-as-a-Service platform for deploying private instances of open-source Large Language Models.
What it demonstrates
Fact8ra demonstrates how AI services can be deployed across a federated HPC-cloud-telco continuum.
The pilot supports the deployment of open-source Large Language Models and shows how cloud-native, multi-tenant environments can provide access to AI infrastructure across different providers and locations. Future phases are expected to address fine-tuning and training of AI models.
Contribution to the 8ra Initiative
Fact8ra connects the 8ra Initiative with one of Europe’s most strategic technology fields: artificial intelligence. It shows how federated cloud-edge infrastructure can support AI services while reducing dependency on closed or non-European infrastructure models.
Access and use
Fact8ra is relevant for organisations that want to deploy or provide AI services on federated infrastructure, including AI Factories, infrastructure providers, SMEs and startups.
The first version supports AI inference with selected open-source Large Language Models. Future extensions are expected to include resources for fine-tuning and training.
Collaboration and outlook
Fact8ra can serve as a bridge between infrastructure development and AI application scenarios. Its results may help identify technical and operational requirements for running AI services across federated cloud-edge environments.
Website and contacts
Lab8ra
Type
Testbed / Validation Environment
Focus area
Interoperability testing and cloud-edge validation
What it is
Lab8ra is a distributed European test and validation environment within the IPCEI-CIS / 8ra ecosystem. It enables cloud-edge technologies from different partners to be integrated, tested and validated across multiple sites, infrastructures and European locations.
The testbed brings together cloud, edge, telco and HPC environments, as well as applications and orchestration solutions. Its focus is on practical interoperability testing and real-world use cases rather than isolated component development.
What it demonstrates
Lab8ra demonstrates how cloud-edge solutions can operate across organisational, technical and national boundaries.
It supports the testing of infrastructure, applications and orchestration approaches in distributed environments, including multi-cluster Kubernetes federation, telco edge environments, cloud resources and HPC infrastructure. Lab8ra also supports practical use cases such as digital twins, maritime data-driven services, healthcare applications, AI-based threat detection and collaborative AI scenarios.
Contribution to the 8ra Initiative
Lab8ra contributes to the 8ra Initiative by providing a practical validation environment for the Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum.
It helps test whether technologies, services and applications can work together across different providers and infrastructures. By identifying interoperability issues early, Lab8ra supports technical validation, cross-project integration and the development of more interoperable and sovereign European cloud-edge solutions.
Access and use
Lab8ra is primarily relevant for partners developing or testing cloud-edge technologies, orchestration solutions, data processing services, AI applications and cybersecurity components.
Partners can use Lab8ra to test interoperability, integrate services and validate deployment scenarios in distributed cloud-edge environments. According to current project information, Lab8ra is also designed to involve a growing number of organisations beyond the initial 8ra ecosystem, where this supports testing, validation or further development.
Lab8ra is a testing and validation environment, not a formal certification body. Successful testing can provide technical evidence within defined scenarios, but should not be presented as formal certification unless such a process is established separately.
Collaboration and outlook
Lab8ra enables project partners to test technologies together instead of developing and validating them only within individual project boundaries. This supports a more integrated view of the 8ra ecosystem and helps identify where common interfaces, shared standards or additional coordination are needed.
Long-term operation and governance models should be described once they are sufficiently defined with the involved partners.
Website and contacts
Virt8ra
Type
Testbed
Focus area
Virtualisation and federation of cloud-edge infrastructure
What it is
Virt8ra is the software stack for virtualisation developed within the IPCEI-CIS / 8ra ecosystem. It is the main deliverable of the IPCEI-CIS Integration Cluster on Virtualization and provides an architectural model and integration framework for multi-provider cloud-edge infrastructures.
The initiative focuses on using European open-source technologies to support advanced management and orchestration capabilities across distributed cloud and edge environments. Its aim is to provide a vendor-neutral foundation for operating digital infrastructures across different providers and locations.
What it demonstrates
Virt8ra demonstrates how virtualised workloads can be managed, deployed and moved across multi-provider cloud-edge environments.
The first Virt8ra testbed combined bare-metal resources from several partners of the IPCEI-CIS across multiple EU Member States. This enabled the testing of scalability, interoperability and workload portability in a distributed cloud-edge environment.
In its current phase, Virt8ra Labs support a growing network of facilities where the Virt8ra software stack is deployed and new technological components are integrated, tested and showcased.
Contribution to the 8ra Initiative
Virt8ra contributes to the 8ra Initiative by providing a practical foundation for virtualisation and infrastructure management within the Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum.
It supports key 8ra objectives such as interoperability, workload portability, vendor neutrality and technological sovereignty. By testing how infrastructure resources and software components from different partners can be integrated, Virt8ra helps advance the practical implementation of a federated European cloud-edge ecosystem.
Access and use
Virt8ra is relevant for technology providers, infrastructure providers, companies and public organisations interested in managing cloud and edge infrastructures across multiple providers.
The Virt8ra Labs provide environments where the software stack can be deployed, tested and demonstrated. They help interested organisations understand how the IPCEI-CIS is developing a sovereign and vendor-neutral approach to infrastructure management and distributed applications.
Collaboration and outlook
Virt8ra can support cross-project integration by providing technical foundations that other services, components or use cases can build on. Its long-term relevance will depend on how the software stack is further developed, adopted and integrated into the broader 8ra ecosystem.
Website & Contacts
Interested in becoming part of the 8ra Initiative?
The 8ra Initiative is opening to new partners interested in Europe’s federated cloud-edge ecosystem. Whether you want to explore collaboration, test technologies, contribute expertise or learn more about adoption opportunities, the 8ra team can help identify the right entry point.