AI Transfer Plus

The program that sustainably anchors AI competence in the company in 9 months

As a Bavaria-wide program of the Bavarian State Ministry for Digital Affairs, KI-Transfer Plus supports regional SMEs in developing holistic AI expertise. The program is coordinated by Bayern Innovativ. The focus of the program is the close content-related and technical support of the participating companies by one of the eight AI regional centers at Bavarian universities. This is where business, science and politics work together to put AI into practice.

AI implementation in SMEs as a holistic approach

The program aims to help SMEs develop an AI strategy and the necessary expertise within nine months and implement their own use case:

Targeted knowledge building

A structured accompanying program consisting of workshops, online learning modules and exchange formats provides practical AI expertise. This lowers technical and organizational barriers to entry and facilitates access to artificial intelligence. This creates a basis that enables SMEs to implement and use further AI systems independently even after the end of the program.

Accompanied and supported AI strategy development

The development of a company-specific AI strategy is actively supported by method workshops, individual strategy work and exchanges with other Bavarian companies. At the same time, sustainable structures are initiated to anchor AI in the company in the long term and continuously develop it further.

Implementation of individual AI use cases in corporate practice

KI-Transfer Plus supports small and medium-sized companies in introducing artificial intelligence in a structured manner and along individual use cases. An operational AI use case is implemented in the company within nine months - from the initial idea to pilot operation.

Individual project support from eight AI regional centers throughout Bavaria

During the course of the program, the experts from the AI regional centers support the companies in various exchange formats. The companies can access individual discussions with their responsible AI regional center. This creates a practical, continuous collaboration that addresses the specific challenges and goals of the respective company.
In addition, the AI regional centers offer a comprehensive workshop program. This provides both basic AI knowledge and in-depth content on strategic topics such as change and innovation management. Companies can participate flexibly in the workshops of all AI regional centers and thus expand their knowledge, get to know best practices and gain new impetus for their AI projects.

These participating KI regional centers are at your side:

Apply for the program start in May 2026 and build up in-depth expertise in AI application within 9 months!

Our application deadline for the program start in May is 15 April 2026!

1. check whether you meet the conditions of participation.

Medium-sized company (according to German usage, not according to EU description)
High motivation for the introduction of AI in their own company and corresponding management commitment
Binding provision of sufficient human resources during the program period with technical background as well as strategic background (the involvement of different persons is possible.)
Provision of financial resources: The costs for participation in the program amount to €29,000 net.
Provision of a project manager as a continuous contact person
Participants: Command of the English language

2. complete and submit the application form.

Take the first step towards your AI future and apply now for the new 2026 program round by filling out our application form.

Fill out the form now

Would you like to find out more about the project before applying?
Further information on previous programs and partners can be found on the Project page of the last years .

Numerous companies have already successfully participated in the program

Experience of W. MARKGRAF GmbH & Co KG with KI-Transfer Plus

Together with KI-Transfer Plus, W. MARKGRAF GmbH & Co. KG provided new impetus for the digitalization of tender processing. The aim of the project was to make the time-consuming review and evaluation of extensive tender documents more efficient with the help of artificial intelligence and to relieve employees in their day-to-day work.

As part of the collaboration, an intelligent system was developed that automatically analyzes incoming documents, identifies relevant content and prepares it in a structured manner. This significantly shortens processing times. The quality of quotation preparation has been improved. At the same time, the solution reduces recurring routine activities and frees up time for technical evaluations and strategic decisions.

The project demonstrates how practical AI can already be used to modernize processes in the construction industry. The results achieved show that digital tools not only bring efficiency, but are also a basis for a long-term data-oriented way of working.

Experiences of the Augsburg & Swabia Vocational Training Center

As part of AI Transfer Plus, two AI use cases were implemented to support adult learners and improve internal collaboration. An AI tutor for vocational training accompanies adult learners as a 24/7 learning assistant in understanding, practising and consolidating learning content. The tutor boosts motivation, self-learning skills and learning success, while at the same time relieving teachers of recurring queries. Key findings were the importance of didactic fit, high data quality and data protection-compliant integration into existing learning systems.

In addition, a Q&A chatbot was developed for employees on the intranet, which answers frequent internal questions quickly and automatically. This improves internal communication, saves time and relieves the burden on support areas such as HR and IT. The use case showed that a clear focus on relevant questions, clean sources of information and ease of use are crucial for acceptance and benefits. Both applications promote AI acceptance within the company and create a solid foundation for further AI solutions in everyday work and learning.

Experience of Leipfinger-Bader GmbH

As part of AI Transfer Plus, Leipfinger-Bader GmbH has developed an AI use case for the holistic digitalization and automation of ordering processes in roller shutter and external venetian blind box production.

Different, partly handwritten order formats are automatically read, checked and transferred to a standardized production list with the help of AI. Integrated plausibility checks reduce errors at an early stage and improve the quality of production planning.

The connection to the existing ERP system enables end-to-end automation along the value chain and reduces the workload of employees in the long term. At the same time, the company gained important insights into data quality, data structure and AI potential, which serve as the basis for further AI applications. The AI prototype developed marks Leipfinger-Bader GmbH's entry into the world of artificial intelligence. Further projects in production, energy management and other areas are already being planned.

A project of the Bavarian State Ministry for Digital Affairs

KI-Transfer Plus: The project for everyone who doesn't want to put off AI!
Take part now: Identify and efficiently use AI potential in your company.

Are you interested in the program?
The Innovation Management team will be happy to advise you and answer any questions you may have about this successful project.
Please feel free to send a message to bewerbung-ki-transfer-plus(at)bayern-innovativ.de