Core Ventures is a governance-led AI venture studio for European SMEs
We remove the real blockers to AI progress—EU AI Act risk, adoption, automation, custom systems, talent, and funding—through a portfolio of specialist ventures delivered by Core Ventures Portfolio and trusted partners.
Based in the Netherlands. Serving teams across Europe.
What Core Ventures does
- Diagnose the primary constraint slowing AI progress
- Set governance so decisions stay safe, fast, and auditable
- Deliver through the right venture (Core Ventures + specialist partners)
- Build repeatable operating systems—not one-off projects
- Launch and scale portfolio companies when the opportunity is clear
See our approach → (to /about or /how-we-work)
Start with the blocker (not a package)
Choose what’s currently stopping progress:
- EU AI Act & AI Risk
- Adoption & Change
- Visibility & Authority
- Automation & ROI
- Custom AI Systems
- AI Talent
- Funding & Grants
Most engagements start with two goals in mind.
How the portfolio is delivered
Core Ventures leads diagnosis, governance, and delivery design. The Core Ventures team delivers execution -together with specialist partners-, depending on the venture and scope. Work runs in short sprints with measurable outcomes and decision-grade documentation.
- Identify the primary blocker
- Assign a team of Experts
- Run a short sprint with clear deliverables
- Review outcomes, plan, and decide what to scale next
What teams leave with
- Risk classification + governance memo (decision-grade)
- Prioritised roadmap and operating model for adoption
- Automation map + ROI assumptions + implementation plan
- System blueprint for custom AI (build/buy/partner decision)
- Role scorecards + capability signals for AI hiring
- Funding plan aligned to a real roadmap (grants and non-dilutive options)
Clear artifacts. Clear decisions. No ambiguity.
Propulsion Audit — AI Governance & EU AI Act Readiness
AI risk, compliance, and governance audits for European businesses.
Use when: EU AI Act obligations, regulatory risk, or upcoming audits block AI adoption.
Outcome: clear risk classification, compliance roadmap, and go-forward decisions.
Workforce OS — AI Adoption & Change Enablement
Human-centred adoption systems for leadership teams and workforces.
Use when: skills gaps, resistance, unclear ownership, or uneven usage slow AI initiatives.
Outcome: trained teams, aligned leadership, and practical AI use in daily work.
First Mover Media — AI Thought Leadership & Authority Building
Content and positioning systems that turn AI expertise into market authority.
Use when you have strong capabilities but low visibility or weak differentiation.
Outcome: inbound leads, credibility, and first-mover positioning in your niche.
Autopilot Systems — Business Process Automation with AI
End-to-end automation using tools like Make, Zapier, n8n, and custom logic.
Use when manual workflows waste time, money, or introduce operational risk.
Outcome: automated processes, lower costs, and scalable operations.
Deep Tech Forge — Custom AI Systems & Agents
Bespoke AI agents, internal tools, and proprietary systems built for scale.
Use when off-the-shelf tools cannot handle your data, complexity, or workflows.
Outcome: tailored AI systems aligned with your business model.
Talent Bridge— AI Talent & Capability Matching
Advisory and sourcing for AI, data, and technical leadership roles.
Use when hiring the right AI talent is the bottleneck, not headcount.
Outcome: faster hiring, better role fit, and reduced execution risk..
Financial Compass— AI Funding & Investment Strategy
Non-dilutive funding, EU grants, and AI investment planning.
Use when capital, runway, or funding strategy limits innovation speed.
Outcome: smarter AI investment decisions and access to funding instruments.
Who this is for
- European SMEs & mid-market companies dealing with AI regulation
- Businesses building or buying AI products and systems
- Leaders stuck on AI adoption, training, or culture
- Teams wasting time on manual workflows that could be automated
- Organizations that see AI as strategic and want a trusted governance partner
How we work with you
Core Ventures is not an agency. It’s a venture studio and governance partner. We start from your primary blocker, choose the right venture, and work in short, focused cycles with clear outcomes.
- Start from your primary blocker, not a pre-made package
- Choose the right venture (or combination) for that specific problem
- Work in short, focused sprints with clear decisions and deliverables
- Keep governance, people, and systems aligned from day one
- Only continue if the work proves real value
Recent insights from the portfolio
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Ready to move?
If one of these challenges is real for you, book a 15-minute fit call. We’ll map your situation and see if any of the Core Ventures is the right lever.