Dutch AI Startup Landscape

The Dutch AI and Earth observation sectors show great overlap, as shown by the recently published Dutch AI Landscape and Netherlands Space Industry maps.

At the recent virtual Swedish Innovation Days, the updated version of the European AI (Artificial Intelligence) landscape was presented. The first version of the landscape was launched at the end of 2020. This map included over 500 startups from Germany, France and Sweden. The collaboration is now excited to welcome startups from the Netherlands.

Innovation made in The Netherlands

During today’s launch event 127 new Dutch AI startups were added to the landscape.

“It’s great that the Netherlands is participating in the European AI startup landscape. It’s a fantastic way to promote our selected startups on an international level and thereby increase their access to potential customers, partners and investors”, says Anita Lieverdink of the Netherlands AI Coalition.

Goal of the AI Startup landscape

The goal of the landscape is to provide guidance and give promising startups a visible platform, benefiting both parties and driving the adoption of AI. Additionally, it demonstrates the innovative strength of European startups and the willingness of European countries to collaborate in order to gain technological sovereignty.

The Dutch AI Landscape

Startups and scale-ups are essential for economic growth, employment, and innovation capacity – especially in the field of AI. This is why the Netherlands have joined forces to select the best AI startups that can help shape the future of AI in the Netherlands and Europe.

The Netherlands is participating in the European AI startup landscape for several reasons:

• To create visibility for the Dutch AI startups & scale-ups on an international level
• To strengthen the relationship with our European counterparts
• To gain better insights in the Dutch AI startup landscape

AI as an innovation driver in Earth Observation

When looking at the Dutch AI Landscape in detail, it shows a big overlap with the recently published Map of the Netherlands Space Industry. Notable space data startups in the AI landscape include Sobolt, Caeli, Geronimo.ai, Readar and drone remote sensing startup Pats.

This is not surprise, as space data is one of the key areas that greatly benefit from AI technology. With Earth Observation being the biggest subsector within the Dutch space industry, the synergy between AI and EO as a new high-tech Dutch product becomes obvious.

The combination of AI and EO is putting Dutch startups not just on one, but two promising growth maps in the European high-tech sector. Perhaps the Dutch government should take notice here!

AI4Copernicus Opportunities

The AI4Copernicus Project is an Horizon 2020 project started in 2020, with the aim to bridge Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Earth Observation (EO), by making the already developed AI4EU AI-on-demand platform, the digital environment of choice for users of Copernicus data, better accessible for space researchers and innovators.

For this, a series of four open calls have been planned, leading to eight small-scale experiments (smaller, single-beneficiary experimental projects targeting technology-advanced users), and nine use-cases (larger-budget projects, involving at least one non-technology user).

These open calls will require the utilisation of DIAS platforms, Copernicus data, the AI4EU platform and the services and resources that will be provided by the AI4Copernicus project. Through organising, facilitating and mentoring these Open Calls, AI4Copernicus aims to reach out to new user domains and boost the use of the AI4EU platform.

The third call in this project is now open for submissions, with a deadline of 30 April 2022.

About the Netherlands AI Coalition

The Netherlands AI Coalition (NL AIC) is a public-private partnership in which the government, the business sector, educational and research institutions, as well as civil society organizations collaborate to accelerate and connect AI developments and initiatives. The ambition is to position the Netherlands at the forefront of knowledge and application of AI for prosperity and well-being. We are continually doing so with due observance of both the Dutch and European standards and values. The NL AIC functions as the catalyst for AI applications in our country.