The second round of the AiNed Innovation Labs is coming up. An opportunity for innovative SMEs, startups, scale-ups, knowledge institutions, large companies and social organizations to work together on AI solutions that will take the Netherlands further.

What is an Innovation Lab?

An AiNed Innovation Lab is a partnership in which market needs, technology and knowledge come together. New AI products, services or methodologies are developed in short, targeted innovation trajectories. The goal is accelerated application of AI in practice, with visible social and economic added value.

The AiNed Innovation Labs consist of core partners and co-partners. The core partners, often knowledge institutions and larger companies, form the basis of the Innovation Lab. They monitor the substantive knowledge and technology course and ensure that it aligns well with regional, national and international AI developments. They commit themselves to the AiNed Innovation Lab for five years.

The core partners are supplemented with flexible co-partners (such as SMEs) who enter a specific issue per trajectory. This is a short-term trajectory (minimum 6 months) based on market demand for a specific AI issue or application. Together, we work on a working AI model, tool or prototype. After completion, there is the possibility to continue in a new trajectory or to exit when the goal has been achieved.

Who is an Innovation Lab for?

• For SMEs that innovate with AI or AI developed
  As an SME, you will have direct access to knowledge, technology and a network of partners via the AiNed Innovation Lab. You will work together with other companies and knowledge institutions on concrete AI solutions that fit your practice and market demand. You do not have to do everything alone. You will receive support, share knowledge and benefit from AiNed financing. In short: a smart way to innovate faster, strengthen your competitive position and explore new markets.
• For knowledge institutions that want to make an impact with AI research
  An AiNed Innovation Lab offers the opportunity to directly link AI research to social and industrial challenges. You will strengthen your network with innovative companies, increase the impact of research and accelerate valorisation. In addition, you will position yourself as a linchpin in regional and national AI ecosystems with structural collaborations and concrete results in practice.
• For large companies that see AI market opportunities
  Large companies play a pioneering role in scaling up AI innovations and creating market opportunities. Participation in an AiNed Innovation Lab offers access to a dynamic network of SMEs, startups, scale-ups and researchers. In addition, you gain access to early technology development that strengthens your chain. You can collaborate, introduce specific issues and at the same time build on your innovation capacity.
• For social organizations that work on responsible AI
  As a social organization, you can contribute to responsible technological innovations that make a difference in society via the AiNed Innovation Lab. By participating, you are involved in technological developments from the start and you ensure that innovations are in line with public interests. In this way, you make an active contribution to solutions that are not only technologically, but also socially relevant.

How much budget can be requested?

An AiNed Innovation Lab can apply for up to €3,500,000 in funding, of which at least €2,500,000 is intended for companies and social organisations.

Companies and social organisations receive an average of 40% AiNed funding on the total of their eligible costs, such as personnel or equipment. They contribute the rest in the form of knowledge, time and effort (in-kind) or a financial contribution (in-cash).

What is the focus?

The second round focuses on current challenges in the sectors:

• Energy & Sustainability
• Technical Industry
• Health & Care
• Mobility, Transport & Logistics

In the first round of AiNed Innovation Lab, four initiatives were selected. An overview of these can be found on the AIC4NLwebsite. New AiNed Innovation Labs must distinguish themselves by focusing on other themes or AI technologies within the sectors.

The full criteria will be published in the call for proposals, which will soon be available on our website. So keep a close eye on our channels.

How to participate?

As soon as the call for proposals goes online on the AIC4NL website, it is possible to submit a shortened proposal. Based on this, you will be invited to a co-creation session in which you will work together with other parties on a joint application. The deadline for submitting the shortened proposal is September 3, 2025.

For help in finding a suitable collaboration partner or forming a consortium, you can contact the AI ​​hub in the relevant region. For South Holland, this is possible at Mondai | House of AI. More information about the AI ​​hubs can be found here.

Interested?

Are you interested in submitting an innovation trajectory for a new AI product, service or methodology within an existing AiNed Innovation Lab? Or would you like more information about the new round? Contact AIC4NL and send an email to innovatielabs@aic4nl.nl.