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<p><strong>The energy transition, labor shortages, and scarcity of raw materials—challenges that virtually every business owner is currently facing. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help. But how do you get started? (European) grants can help companies move forward. Karolien de Bruine and Ingrid Meijer, EU experts at the regional development agency Oost NL, discuss the opportunities that European grants offer businesses.</strong></p><p><img src="https://cms.aihub-oost.nl/uploads/MX_Ynp4_Nh_Rjc_Y_Zvj_Jlws_U5w9ek_VI_Vt_Pjj_Jf_V_Wm_Hb_Z_a48f5ac15a.jpg" alt="MXYnp4NhRjcYZvjJlwsU5w9ekVIVtPjjJfVWmHbZ.jpg" srcset="https://cms.aihub-oost.nl/uploads/thumbnail_MX_Ynp4_Nh_Rjc_Y_Zvj_Jlws_U5w9ek_VI_Vt_Pjj_Jf_V_Wm_Hb_Z_a48f5ac15a.jpg 234w,https://cms.aihub-oost.nl/uploads/small_MX_Ynp4_Nh_Rjc_Y_Zvj_Jlws_U5w9ek_VI_Vt_Pjj_Jf_V_Wm_Hb_Z_a48f5ac15a.jpg 500w," sizes="100vw" width="640" height="427"></p><p>“To many companies, AI sounds like something ‘far removed from their daily reality,’ but it can offer a solution to many of today’s challenges. Think, for example, of integrating administrative systems to streamline the process from order to invoice. Or automating your production process. Or digitizing quality controls,” Ingrid Meijer begins enthusiastically.</p><p>“AI is an umbrella term for everything related to data collection, data quality, data interpretation, and so on. In short, it’s about using data intelligently. And there’s so much you can do with it. Think of ‘predictive maintenance’ (predicting when machines or vehicles will need maintenance), collaboration within the supply chain, or automating marketing. “If you use AI wisely, you’ll future-proof your business and strengthen your competitive position,” says Karolien De Bruine.</p><h2>Minimal Investment</h2><p>Because digitization and AI appear to be the key to success in many societal challenges, AI projects are supported through European grants. “A project is typically subsidized at a rate of 60 to 70 percent. The remaining portion is contributed by the participating companies and institutions themselves, usually in the form of man-hours. This allows a company to take a major step forward with only a minimal financial investment,” Ingrid explains.</p><h2>Collaboration</h2><p>European grants often have a flywheel effect for AI projects. On the one hand, this is due to the financial opportunities they offer: they lower the investment threshold. On the other hand, it’s because most grants require collaboration with other companies. “A condition of many grants is that knowledge is shared through collaboration. The benefit for companies is that this allows them to expand their network, gain sparring partners, and sometimes even expand their market abroad,” says Karolien. “In field labs—real-world environments—entrepreneurs and research institutions can experiment with AI and discover opportunities for applying it in their own businesses. It’s an accessible way to gain knowledge.”</p><h2>Connecting</h2><p>For entrepreneurs in the eastern Netherlands, the AI hub serves as the starting point for launching an AI initiative and applying for grants. “We’re involved in the Vanguard Initiative,” says Ingrid. “A network of 40 innovative regions in Europe. And in the Netherlands, we’re affiliated with the Dutch AI Coalition (NLAIC). We use these networks to connect entrepreneurs with like-minded individuals, companies, and institutions that share the same ambition in the field of AI.”</p><h2>Many Opportunities</h2><p>There are funding opportunities for every phase of the innovation process—from “proof of concept” through to commercialization. The grants also target various types of innovation: from technical breakthroughs to skills development. “The only thing companies need to keep in mind to submit a successful grant application is what their challenge is, how they can translate that into a project, and which partners they can collaborate with,” Karolien explains. “Incidentally, there are also smaller grant amounts available that are easier for companies to access and involve minimal administrative burdens,” notes Ingrid. The AI Hub East Netherlands can help a company map out the possibilities, build a network, and find the right partners.</p><h2>The Perfect Moment</h2><p>To remove any remaining hesitation among entrepreneurs, Karolien emphasizes that—contrary to what is often said about grants—the requirements are by no means always very specific. “There are plenty of grants that focus on broader areas, such as sustainability or digitization. In short, do you want to get started with AI? Get in touch with the AI Hub East Netherlands.”</p>

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<p>The energy transition, labor shortages, and scarcity of raw materials—challenges that virtually every business owner is currently facing. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help. But how do you get started? (European) grants can help companies move forward. Karolien de Bruine and Ingrid Meijer, EU experts at the regional development agency Oost NL, discuss the opportunities that European grants offer businesses.</p>