On July 7th, 2025, innovation-minded companies from East Netherlands tuned in for a dynamic 90-minute webinar connecting them with some of the most advanced AI technologies coming out of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The event, titled “AI Match: Oost NL Meets Innovation from Baden-Württemberg,” brought together researchers, entrepreneurs, and tech experts eager to explore what’s possible when cutting-edge AI meets real-world business needs.&nbsp;Building Bridges Through European CollaborationHosted by EDIH Boost Robotics (East Netherlands) and EDIH-AICS (Baden-Württemberg), the webinar served as a launchpad for stronger cross-border innovation. Representing the Dutch side were Farah Aziz and Marieke Smidt, who welcomed participants and introduced the opportunities within the Boost Robotics ecosystem. On the German side, Luliana Nichersu joined from EDIH-AICS to highlight the incredible work being done by their network of research institutions.Together, they showcased how regions can collaborate to bring real AI solutions to life.Iuliana Nichersu, manager at FZI (Research Center for Information Technology), who is our AICS EDIH partner: "The AI Match webinar brought together innovators from Baden-Württemberg and the East Netherlands in a dynamic and engaging session. Presentations from EDIH-AICS trough FZI and Fraunhofer IOSB showcased cutting-edge AI solutions with strong relevance for Dutch industry partners. A particularly strong connection emerged between the technologies presented and the interests of companies in the East Netherlands. This exchange sparked valuable discussions and opened clear opportunities for collaboration. The connection built during this event forms a solid foundation for continued cross-border innovation and cooperation.''&nbsp;What did we explore?The session featured a lineup of powerful AI demonstrators already in use across sectors like manufacturing and mobility:<ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt;">Multi-Robot Manufacturing (FZI): Two robots working together for faster, more flexible production.</li><li style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt;">Robot Teleoperation (FZI): Keeping the human touch where automation falls short.</li><li style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt;">Federated Manufacturing as a Service (Fraunhofer IOSB): An AI-enabled supply chain ecosystem built on Industry 4.0 standards.</li><li style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt;">Machine Learning for Production (ML4P) (Fraunhofer IOSB): Smart learning tools for real production environments.</li><li style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt;">Adaptive Production Systems (KIT): Systems that adjust on the fly to optimize performance.</li></ul>&nbsp;What’s in it for Dutch Companies?Beyond the tech itself, Dutch companies discovered real ways to take action:<ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt;">Build international partnerships</li><li style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt;">Accelerate AI projects by 6–12 months</li><li style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt;">Apply for funding of up to 70%</li><li style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt;">Expand into the German market</li></ul>The Q&amp;A session gave attendees a chance to ask their own questions and explore how these tools could directly benefit their business.John den Hartog, Director and Owner of FlashTech: “At first, I didn’t really know what to expect from the webinar, but I approached it with an open mind. During the session, I immediately felt a connection with the German participants. So much so, in fact, that we’ve just had our first meeting about a potential collaboration. In short, a pleasant surprise.”

AI Match: East Netherlands Meets Innovation from Baden-Württemberg