The artificial intelligence and robotics center AIRE (EDIH) is co-financed by the European Union from the "European Digital Innovation Hubs" program (project number 101083677) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
We provide training and consulting to help businesses
We help companies in the digitalization of different processes, support in testing and validating innovative robotics and artificial intelligence technologies and algorithms (test before invest demo projects), initiate cooperation networks for innovation and find opportunities for additional funding for projects. Since every company is special, we base our advice on the needs of your company and help measure the benefits of the digitalization of the industry. In addition to training and consulting, we bring companies together with service providers such as creators of artificial intelligence solutions, developers and suppliers of robotic systems, or developers of digitization strategies. We also help assess the digital maturity of companies and offer the opportunity to present our solutions, technology and software before making large investments.
The services provided by the AI & Robotics Estonia (AIRE) are co-funded by Estonian state (state aid) and European Commission European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) programme. This means that the opportunity to use AIRE services (training, consulting) is offered to the entrepreneur free of charge, but the cost of the corresponding service is registered as state aid given to the entrepreneur in the state aid register. When granting aid (in the cost of the service provided to the entrepreneur), the requirements of the regulations applicable to the granting of state aid are followed.
Digitalisation of business processes Developing robotics and artificial intelligence demonstration projects Collaborative innovation initiatives Finding additional funding for projects
Digital maturity assessment
In order to support your company’s awareness for the implementation of artificial intelligence and robotics projects, AIRE’s primary service is the evaluation of the company’s digital maturity. The Digital Maturity Assessment is a roadmap for entering the following AIRE services. As a result of the digital maturity assessment, the company gains an understanding of the level of digitization of the company’s processes and what the company’s real needs are. We help map your company’s strengths and weaknesses and their impact on the company’s operations.
AIRE Pre-Accelerator
The main task of the companies admitted to the Demo Project service is to create and test innovative products or services using artificial intelligence applications or to improve the processes […]
AI suitability assessment
Teenus on mõeldud väikese ja keskmise suurusega tööstusettevõtetele, kellel on soov ja võimekus investeerida tehisintellekti lahendustesse ettevõttes.
Robotics suitability assessment
In order to support the robotization of your company, AIRE performs a central analysis of the company’s processes to assess the feasibility of the company’s robotization. The service is also wanted for a company with its own product that wants to increase production.
Finding Sources of funding – private capital
Register and find private financing for the digital transformation of your industrial company. The development and digitalization of industrial enterprises is budget-intensive. The current global crises have made access to money more difficult, while remaining competitive already requires investments in digitalization. Artificial intelligence and robotics center AIRE (AI & Robotics Estonia) invites managers, finance managers and development managers of industrial and production companies to counseling, which will help you reach private financing with conditions that suit you.
Finding Sources of funding – public measures
AIRE (AI & Robotics Estonia) offers financial consulting services to industrial companies to find additional funding from public measures. With this service, AIRE wants to be a leader in reaching the right sources of financing for the projects of industrial companies. The service gives companies a good opportunity to find and select suitable financing conditions.
Trainings
We offer training in artificial intelligence, digital technologies and robotics for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Our partners (TalTech, University of Tartu, Estonian University of Life Sciences and IMECC) have extensive knowledge of artificial intelligence and robotics, which we are happy to share across multiple courses and web-seminars. We also provide support for the implementation of these technologies in your company.
AIRE club
The AIRE club series of events is aimed at creating a free and immediate environment for those interested in the field of robotics and artificial intelligence. The goal is to share experiences, communicate and network with each other. All interested parties and representatives of industrial companies, research and development institutions, IT and electronics companies, professional associations, support organizations and donors are welcome.
Demonstration projects
In order to increase the digital capacity of Estonian industrial companies, we conduct demo projects where we use artificial intelligence and robotics solutions to overcome the challenges of companies. Valuing the broad-based creation of innovation, we initiate demo projects in as many different fields as possible and develop innovative solutions that do not duplicate existing technologies offered by private companies.
State aid
The State Aid Regulation
The services provided by the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Centre AIRE are based on state aid from state funds. This means that the opportunity to use AIRE services (training, consulting) is offered to the entrepreneur free of charge, but the cost of the corresponding service is registered as aid given to the entrepreneur in the state aid register. When granting aid (in the cost of the service provided to the entrepreneur), the requirements of the regulations applicable to the granting of state aid are followed.
AIRE target group is Small and Medium size enterprises (SME)* in manufacturing. For getting AIRE services enterprises can choose following either the de Minimis Aid Regulation** or General Block Exemption Regulation*** according to the table below:
| AIRE service | State aid regulation |
| Digital Maturity Analysis | 1) De Minimis Regulation – the service is minor aid both for SMEs and large companies
2) General Block Exemption Regulation article 28 (Innovation aid for SMEs) |
| AI and Robotics Suitability Assessment | |
| AI and Robotics Trainings | |
| Finding Sources of Funding | |
| Other Business Counselling | |
| AI and Robotics Demonstration Projects | 1) De Minimis Regulation – the service is minor aid both for SMEs and large companies
2) General Block Exemption Regulation article 28 (Innovation aid for SMEs) 3) General Block Exemption Regulation article 25 (Aid for research and development projects) |
* Small and Medium Sized enterprises are defined according to the General Block Exemption Regulation Annex 1.
** Commission Regulation (EU) 1407/2013 on application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union de minimis aid
*** Commission Regulation (EU) 651/2104 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty
The state aid regulation does not apply if the company self-finances and covers the total cost of the AIRE service.
Read more about the state aid on the website of the Ministry of Finance or European Commission.
How to check the state aid balance?
Every enterprise can use state aid (applies to de minimis regulation and GBER article 28) in the amount of 200 000 euros during 3 years. To keep records in using the state aid the state aid registry is kept by the Ministry of Finance. If the company has not used any state aid, it does not appear in the registry.
AIRE centre is managing all processes related to state aid regarding AIRE services. The given state aid for AIRE services is registered in the registry by AIRE centre.
Check the state aid balance here.
More information on the use of state aid in AIRE services is available in Estonian here.
