Start AI Brussels: Get more value from your data with Artificial Intelligence

Published on 23/02/26 by Laurence de Kerchove
For several years now, the program led by Innoviris and operated with the European Digital Innovation Hub SustAIn.brussels has been supporting Brussels-based companies in their first steps toward artificial intelligence. Start AI helps you set priorities, determine the feasibility of your artificial intelligence (AI) projects, and draw up an action plan with the help of specialized experts. This initiative is part of the Brussels-Capital Region's innovation and digital transformation strategy and aims to facilitate the practical adoption of AI by SMEs.

Why participate in Start AI? 

Data has become an essential element. But how can it be exploited to meet the challenges of private and public organizations? By helping you take a step back from your activities, the Start AI program enables you to identify concrete use cases, assess their value, and define a realistic roadmap thanks to the expertise of qualified artificial intelligence professionals. . 

Accessible and pragmatic, the Start AI program aims to bring out opportunities related to data, AI, and your activities in order to ensure the success of future innovative digital projects. 

What you get

The support helps you move from an idea to a structured project: 

  • Identification of AI opportunities within the company 
  • Analysis and audit of available data 
  • Technical and economic feasibility study
  • ROI estimation
  • Definition of a target architecture 
  • Prototype or proof of concept (if relevant) 
  • Implementation roadmap 

Objective: to make confident decisions before investing in an AI project. 

Who can participate in Start AI? 

Start AI is aimed at SMEs located in the Brussels-Capital Region, regardless of their sector or level of digital maturity, who wish to exploit their data via AI, in particular to: 

  • Increase their productivity 
  • Automate administrative processes
  • Improve customer relations 
  • Optimize logistics or planning 
  • Detect anomalies or fraud 
  • Implement predictive maintenance 
  • Make better use of their internal data

Main conditions 

  • Be an SME operating in Brussels 
  • Have an enterprise number 
  • Have a specific business issue to analyze 
  • Mobilize a decision-maker during the mission 
  • Co-finance the mission 

Financial conditions 

  • Value of support: up to €10,000 
  • Public funding: up to 75%
  • Company's own contribution: ± 25% 

The mission represents approximately 10 days of expertise provided by accredited AI specialists. 

How does it work? 

  1. Contact an approved center of expertise or sustAIn.brussels and get matched. 
  2. Define the project and reviewed by sustAIn.brussels.
  3. Submit the voucher application.
  4. Validation.
  5. Carry out the mission.

The company remains involved throughout the process to ensure business relevance.

Ready to participate?

The Start AI program is the ideal gateway to move from curiosity to a structured AI project, while limiting technical and financial risks. Participate here via Innoviris or sustAIn.brussels.

In summary 

Start AI Brussels is a public program that enables companies to: 

  • Understand where AI really creates value 
  • Structure a project 
  • Reduce investment risks
  • Prepare for future technological development
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