"Innovation is no longer an option, but a necessity for every company", stated Economy Minister Lex Delles at the annual review of Luxinnovation, Luxembourg's national innovation agency.
Over the past year, the agency supported more than 1,000 businesses, with around 85 percent of them being small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Last year, Luxinnovation handled over 2,000 requests, provided direct support to more than 560 companies, and helped mobilise over €50 million in European funding for the Luxembourg economy.
As the operational arm of the Ministry of the Economy for business development, Luxinnovation plays a key role in helping companies adopt new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI).
This year, the agency intends to take a more proactive approach by directly reaching out to businesses in order to maximise its impact. Mario Grotz, Director of Luxinnovation, is convinced that AI will fundamentally transform business models across all sectors. "Soon, there will be hardly any company without AI", he predicted.
Grotz emphasised the need to prepare businesses gradually, making them aware of both the opportunities and the potential risks associated with AI. He explained, "If used correctly, AI can drive efficiency, but it is also important to understand the risks before implementation".
The Luxembourg AI Factory, developed by Luxinnovation, is designed as a central platform to guide companies in integrating artificial intelligence into their operations.
Acting as a 'one-stop shop', the AI Factory accompanies businesses through every stage of an AI project, with the goal of accelerating AI adoption within the national economy. At the heart of this initiative is a comprehensive service catalogue featuring 80 structured offerings, covering the full spectrum of AI integration, from initial exploration to deployment.
According to Luxinnovation, the catalogue is intended not only to present services, but to help companies identify which tools are best suited to their specific needs. "It is not about explaining all 80 services, but about listening to what companies require, and then proposing relevant solutions. Ultimately, companies decide which projects to pursue, but the catalogue helps them understand what is and is not possible", a representative explained.
Rather than operating as a traditional subsidy provider, Luxinnovation sees itself as a partner, connecting companies with the right contacts, expertise, and support to accelerate innovation projects. To date, its main beneficiaries have been SMEs and start-ups, which have relied on the agency’s guidance to bring innovation to market more quickly.
