At Bits & Pretzels, AI Nation presented its expanded offerings for AI startups. The platform bundles nationwide funding, coaching and infrastructure services – built on the pilot projects AI+Munich and the Artificial Intelligence Entrepreneurship Centre (K.I.E.Z.) in Berlin. Since 2022, according to a press release, over 200 startups have been supported, 1,400 jobs created and €160 million in financing activated.
Core offerings overview
The AI Nation Grant supports teams before founding with up to €54,000, expert coaching and access to mentors. The goal is to validate ideas and develop initial prototypes. In Munich, applications for the batch starting in December are currently open. Applications are possible until October 19. Eligible are teams with at least two founders, a clearly defined problem and AI as a core element of the solution. The funding includes €2,000 per month per person (maximum three people) as well as up to €16,000 for materials and prototyping. Requirement: all founders must be authorized to work in Germany and must not yet have founded a capital company.
In the AI Nation Accelerator, science-based startups benefit from intensive support for six months following their founding in market strategy, product development and financing. In addition to coaching and networking contacts, funding of up to €10,000 is available.
Frizzi Engler-Hamm, CEO Munich Innovation Ecosystem and AI Nation Munich, emphasizes:
“AI Nation seeks teams that take responsibility, deploy AI sustainably and create real solutions with scientific rigor. Together, we pool the strengths of the regions so that innovations generate value – for the competitiveness of our economy and the prosperity of our society.”
Also Laura Möller, CEO Unite and AI Nation Berlin, emphasizes:
“With AI Nation, we’re taking the step from regional success stories to a national platform. AI startups need early support and access to resources – and that’s exactly what we’re pooling now for all of Germany.”
AI Nation is supported by Munich Innovation Ecosystem and Science & Startups – the network of founding centers of Berlin universities and Charité – Universitätsmedizin – as well as by Start2Group, Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship and TUM Venture Labs. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and EXIST fund AI Nation, with the state of Berlin providing co-financing.
Further information and the opportunity to apply can be found on the AI Nation website.
