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 at this link
