RAISE – Regional AI initiative for scaling enterprises

RAISE (Regional AI Initiative for Scaling Enterprises) is a growth programme for companies ready to turn a concrete AI idea or business challenge into a practical solution.

Throughout the programme, you will develop your AI project from concept to pilot. You will define your project goals, find the right AI solution provider, and develop and test your solution with support from experienced mentors and industry experts.

Participation in the programme is free of charge. Selected companies receive up to €14,000 worth of funded AI development support to develop and test their solutions in collaboration with a matched AI solution provider.

RAISE will select 16 growth-stage companies from Estonia, Latvia, Finland, and Sweden to take part in the programme.

Why join the RAISE AI Programme?

RAISE is built around your company’s own AI project. It gives you the expertise, support, and network needed to assess whether your idea is viable and move from concept to a working pilot.

Participating companies will receive:

• Up to €14,000 worth of funded AI development support to develop and pilot their AI solutions.
• Technical and commercial feasibility assessment to evaluate the potential of their AI ideas and identify the next steps in development.
• Access to a matched AI solution provider to develop and test a solution tailored to their business needs.
• Dedicated mentoring and expert guidance throughout the development process.
• Practical training and workshops covering product development, solution validation and market potential.
• Access to an international network of companies, AI experts and potential collaboration partners.

The goal is simple: to turn your AI idea into a practical pilot and lay the groundwork for implementing it in your business or taking it to market.

Who is the programme for?

RAISE is designed for growth-stage companies looking to scale and expand into international markets, with a clear business need or idea for applying AI.

You can apply if your company:

• meets the criteria for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME);
• has a product or service already on the market and is looking to grow sales, expand its customer base, or enter new markets;
• has been operating for no more than 5 years;
• wants to develop or implement an AI solution that addresses a specific business need;
• is ready to develop and pilot the solution during the programme.

You do not need an in-house AI development team or extensive technical expertise to apply. RAISE is also designed for companies that have identified a clear opportunity for AI but currently lack the expertise or resources to develop the solution themselves.

What kind of AI project are we looking for?

To apply, your company should have a specific AI project idea or business challenge that you want to address during the programme and that has the potential to be developed into a pilot.

Your project could focus on:

• improving an existing product or service;
• developing a new AI-powered product or service;
• making business processes more efficient;
• increasing the value of your product or service;
• unlocking new market or export opportunities.

Your AI project should address a clear business objective, and your company should be ready to actively develop and pilot the solution during the programme.

Application deadline: 20 November, 2026

Ready to turn your AI idea into a working solution? Apply to RAISE and tell us about your company, your AI project idea, and the business challenge you want to solve.

Apply