SPRIND has launched the Next Frontier AI challenge, inviting up to ten teams from across Europe to develop new approaches that expand current paradigms in artificial intelligence.
The selected teams will receive seed funding from SPRIND totalling €125 million.
To date, the most capable AI models have come almost exclusively from the US and China. In Europe, there are hardly any companies that can compete at this level. This leaves Europe at risk of falling behind in one of the most important future technologies and of cementing technological dependencies.
“Europe produces top AI talent, but has so far failed to translate technological expertise into world-leading AI companies.
The ‘Next Frontier AI’ Challenge aims to create an environment in which technological expertise, entrepreneurial excellence and funding combine to ensure the next generation of leading AI companies comes from Europe,” explains Jano Costard, Head of Challenges at SPRIND.
SPRIND is looking for approaches that go beyond simply improving existing AI models or their practical application.
The new SPRIND Challenge aims to catalyse the development of significantly more efficient training methods, novel architectures, disruptive agent-based systems or new concepts of intelligence.
The technologies developed should be broadly applicable and commercially viable. Teams will be supported with seed funding for up to 24 months and by integration into networks of stakeholders in areas such as compute infrastructure, industry and finance.
The Challenge rolls out across three stages. In the first stage, beginning in July 2026, teams must provide technical proof of their concepts. After seven months, a jury selects the best six teams for the second stage. In the third and final stage, three teams remain. By the end of June 2028, they should be in a position to raise up to one billion euros in additional capital.
Teams from across Europe can apply until 1 June 2026. The ten winning teams will be selected on 24 and 25 June.