Open Call for SMEs to Integrate and Deploy Innovative AI Solutions

The DeployAI project has launched its Open Call to the Private Sector, inviting European startups, SMEs, and research organisations to submit mature AI solutions for integration into the AI-on-Demand (AIoD) Platform. The call aims to accelerate the adoption and deployment of trustworthy European AI technologies, while strengthening the EU’s AI ecosystem through a unified and interoperable platform.

Selected applicants will participate in a structured innovation programme supporting the integration, testing, and real-world deployment of AI solutions within the AIoD Platform. Participants will benefit from financial support, mentorship, and access to technical infrastructure, as well as increased visibility through industry events and platform exposure. The programme follows a competitive three-stage funnel process.

Three-Stage Programme Structure

The open call is organised as a three-stage process, with decreasing numbers of participants at each phase:

Stage 1 – Pitch & Select (September 2026)
Up to 50 applicants are selected to refine their technical and business proposals, align their solutions with the AIoD Platform, and pitch at an in-person industry event.

Stage 2 – Integration (October–December 2026)
A shortlist of 20 projects progresses to fully integrate their AI solutions into the platform, implement their business models, and act as beta testers.

Stage 3 – Deployment (January–April 2027)
The top 10 projects, working in consortia with an AI adopter, deploy their solutions in real-world settings and develop concrete use cases to demonstrate impact.

Eligibility criteria

The call is open to:

• Stage 1 and 2: Startups, SMEs, and research organisations as single applicants.
• Stage 3: Consortia composed of an AI provider selected in previous stages and at least one AI adopter responsible for implementing the solution.

Applicants must:

• Be established in EU Member States or countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme.
• Submit AI solutions with a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7.
• Demonstrate technical maturity, scalability, and alignment with the AIoD Platform.
• Address ethical, privacy, and responsible AI considerations.

Funding amount and additional benefits

Financial support is provided as lump sums and depends on progression through the stages:

• Stage 1: €5,000 per selected applicant to refine proposals and participate in pitching activities.
• Stage 2: €35,000 per project to support technical integration, business model implementation, and platform onboarding.
• Stage 3: up to €35,000 per project, split between €20,000 for the AI provider and €15,000 for the AI adopter, to support deployment and validation.

In addition to funding, participants benefit from mentorship, access to the AIoD Platform infrastructure, beta-testing opportunities, and visibility through dedicated industry events and use case promotion.

Please follow this link for more information on the scope of the AIoD 1st Open Call and the procedural requirements for the applications.

Deadline for applications is 8 June 2026, 17:00 CET.