The Microsoft Innovation Centers (MICs) are state of art technology facilties for collaboration on innovative research, technology or software solutions, involving a combination of government, academic and industry participants.

Microsoft Innovation Center - Torino (MIC-Torino) started the operations in June 2007, and in its process of growth it became part of Istituto Superiore Mario Boella (ISMB) in July 2010 extending its technology focuses that are today embedded computing and cloud computing. Embedded solutions include core competences on Windows Embedded Standard 7, Windows Embedded CE, Microsoft Auto and Microsoft Hohm.

The overall MIC -ISMB objective is to foster innovation and growth in national and international software economies and create a sound ecosystem around the Microsoft embedded and cloud computing technologies partnering with industrial players. Microsoft Innovation Center-ISMB aims at establishing technical partnerships with industrial players willing to innovate leveraging on Microsoft platforms.
MIC-ISMB offers high skilled experts in designing and developing software applications and services with the most advanced Microsoft technologies managing all the value chain, from concept to practical implementation of prototypes.

With the aforementioned goals MIC ISMB operates along three major streams:

• Advanced technology development programs running in close cooperation with important industrial players in different application domains (mainly automotive, telecommunications, industry automation and energy);

• Technology transfer activities towards industries, SME, public authorities and academic institutions;

• Project proposal set-up (always in cooperation with research institutions and companies) focused on key area of European Commission framework program (FP7)

• Knowledge/Expertise seen as in depth technical training on Microsoft Embedded that have been delivered at MIC premises. MIC Torino courses include Windows Embedded CE, Windows Embedded Standard 7 and Windows Azure. Courses are in the form of seminars (broad) and hands-on-labs (depth) where participants can experiment their ability to create a “software build” and test on a real hardware target.  The audience is composed by mainly industry and SME software professionals. At the same time MIC works with the academia (Politecnico di Torino mainly) to influence some courses to include Microsoft technologies in the official curriculum. Courses organized at MIC are usually set-up in close cooperation with Italian distributors for embedded hardware, namely Avnet and Arrows Silverstar as well as Microsoft partners.

Recently MIC-ISMB has added a new program in its activities regarding educational and learning, that is the IT Academy Program. It is designed for accredited academic institutions worldwide. The program provides educators with the tools they need to effectively train students on Microsoft technologies, prepare students for the global economy, and create a skilled community. Students enrolled in a Microsoft IT Academy will train based on official Microsoft technology curriculum and will be prepared for Microsoft certification.

MIC-ISMB is involved in Microsoft BizSpark Programme as well. It helps startups succeeding with:

• Software: get immediate access to full-featured Microsoft software development tools.
• Support: connect with incubators and investors, and receive, training, technical support and other developer resources.