The overall objective of the IEC 2020 project is to increase the competitiveness of ICT companies in the Linnaeus region, increased innovation capacity for business and society, and more jobs for qualified labour. IEC 2020 is intended to increase opportunities for innovations that generate world-leading companies, products and services, as well as internationally recognised research. The project goal is to further develop IEC into an established cluster with at least 150 paying members from industry, academia and the public sector, as well as the establishment of a business-driven ICT research institute. Through the establishment of a business-driven IT research institute, the innovation environment is strengthened. The Institute provides leverage to external investments in FoI in the region’s companies, to public organisations and to Linnaeus University.