AI Innovation Center and BOM join forces to advance next generation of AI companies
AI Innovation Center, located on High Tech Campus Eindhoven (HTCE), and Brabant Development Agency (BOM) announce a strategic partnership to build the next generation of AI companies in the Brabant region. By combining HTCE’s deep-tech innovation ecosystem with BOM’s venture development and investment expertise, the two organizations aim to create an end-to-end AI ecosystem: from silicon to software application, designed to accelerate AI innovation and strengthen the region’s international competitiveness.
Building the next AI unicorns
As highlighted in the State of Dutch Tech 2026 report, the Netherlands is recognized for its strong AI talent but still lags in scaling tech startups. That is why the shared ambition is clear: building the next AI unicorns. The AI Innovation Center currently houses over 40 AI companies, making it the largest physical AI cluster in the Netherlands. The residents span from deep tech AI companies, like Axelera AI, to AI software companies, like Datacation.
“The AI Innovation Center is designed to support start- and scaleups in their growth. Access to capital, network and expertise is crucial, so we are very excited for the collaboration with BOM and to connect their capabilities to the companies who need it,” says Philipp Werle, Innovation Manager for Emerging Technologies at HTCE.
In recent years, BOM has invested nearly €70 million in AI-driven companies, supporting applications from medical data processing to industrial automation and HR analytics. In addition, BOM is involved in initiatives that strengthen the AI ecosystem in Brabant, such as the Data Acceleration Plan, a growing AI Community Brabant, House of Cyber and the AI Supercomputing Initiative Brabant.
Together, BOM and HTCE provide the foundation and support needed for ambitious AI companies to scale and compete internationally. To combine the expertise, skills and network of both institutions is a logical next step.
“The world changes and develops extremely fast by and due to AI technology and applications. Brainport has all ingredients to take a leading role. The collaboration between the AI Innovation Center at High Tech Campus Eindhoven and BOM will strengthen its foundation by bringing together start-ups, talent and R&D all related to AI technology and applications. In doing so, we build a future-proof economy in which AI plays a key role,” says Brigit van Dijk – van de Reijt, CEO Brabant Development Agency (BOM).
AI hackathon on April 10
HTCE and BOM are shaping a joint program of activities, starting with a big AI hackathon: Brabanthack_26, which takes place on Friday April 10 at the Conference Center at High Tech Campus Eindhoven. During this event developers, data scientists, entrepreneurs and researchers will collaborate on real-world challenges in Deep Tech, Defense, Decentralized Energy Systems, Medtech & Life Sciences, and Plant-Based. Read more.
