Introduction:

Boost AI is a transnational Interreg North-West Europe project that supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs in adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a safe and practical way. The project focuses on small SMEs located in rural “hinterland” regions across North-West Europe, where AI adoption is currently limited. Through tools, training and policy development, Boost AI helps companies build AI capacity and reduces regional digital disparities.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES & FOCUS AREAS

• Strengthening AI capacity and resilience of small SMEs
• Reducing regional and digital AI disparities in North-West Europe
• Supporting SMEs in safe, compliant and responsible AI adoption (EU AI Act)
• Co-developing and implementing a shared AI Toolkit with practical tools
• Training SMEs, Business Support Organisations (BSOs) and Local Authorities (LAs)
• Strengthening regional and transnational AI strategies and action plans

PROJECT DURATION

• 2025 – 2028 (36 months)

FUNDING

Boost AI is funded through the Interreg North-West Europe 2021–2027 programme. Total project budget: €5,806,364.55, of which €3,483,818.68 ERDF (60%).

PARTNERS

• TCNN Innovation Support – Lead Partner (NL)
• Jheronimus Academy for Data Science (JADS) – Netherlands
• MKB Cyber Campus – Netherlands
• Province of Drenthe – Netherlands
• RDI Hub – Ireland
• Normandy Region – France
• Technopole Orléans – France
• Luxinnovation GIE – Luxembourg
• IT-Dienstleistungsgesellschaft mbH Emsland – Germany
• Science and Innovation Alliance Kaiserslautern (SIAK) – Germany
• University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU) – Germany
• VIVES University of Applied Sciences – Belgium

INNOVATION AND IMPACT

• Development of one joint AI Toolkit with four toolsets (self-assessment, AI literacy, AI risks, competitiveness
• Four pilot actions implemented across participating regions
• 120 small SMEs (3–20 employees, < €15 million turnover) directly supported
• 232 participants trained through joint AI training programmes
• Development of one transnational strategy and one regional action plan for AI adoption
• Focus on three sectors: agrifood, hospitality and small-scale manufacturing

THE ROLE OF MKB CYBER CAMPUS

At MKB Cyber Campus, we act as the bridge between this project and SMEs in practice. Our extensive experience across various industries and sectors enables us to successfully roll out the AI toolkit and effectively reach these businesses.
We collaborate closely with our European partners and eagerly anticipate the progress of this project.

Our mission? To empower SMEs, making them stronger, smarter, and more digitally resilient.

MKB Cyber Campus Contact person

Name:  Jamie Visser
Title:  BoostAI Project Manager
E-mail:  jamie.visser@mkbcybercampus.nl