AI made in NL? Yes, please!

The Netherlands Invests €200 Million in AI Factory in Groningen

AI made in NL? Yes, please!
The Netherlands is taking a major leap toward digital independence with the launch of a brand-new AI factory in Groningen. The Dutch government, the Groningen/North Drenthe region, and European partners are jointly investing up to €200 million in this ambitious innovation hub. The goal? To reduce reliance on tech giants from the U.S. and China and take greater control over our own digital future.

What’s coming exactly?
The AI factory will be a combination of an expertise center, data platform, and supercomputer: all tailored for companies, governments, and researchers looking to develop or scale AI solutions. Think of applications in healthcare, safety, mobility, smart agriculture, energy networks, and manufacturing.
In other words: this will be the place in the Netherlands for powerful computing, secure data storage, and AI expertise, all under one roof.

Why Groningen?
Groningen wasn’t chosen by chance. The region offers:

Space to build and grow
Available power capacity, crucial for a supercomputer
A strong network of education, business, and innovation

In short: the ideal breeding ground for a project of this scale.

Who’s behind it?
The project is a collaboration between:

The Dutch government (contributing €70 million)
The Groningen/North Drenthe region via Nij Begun (€60 million)
A consortium including SURF, TNO, the Dutch AI Coalition (AIC4NL), and Samenwerking Noord

Together, they’ve submitted a European co-financing proposal to EuroHPC, an EU program that invests in supercomputing and AI infrastructure. If approved, an additional €70 million could be added to the project.

What’s next?
We’ll find out in early September whether the proposal is accepted. If so, construction of the expertise center is expected to begin in 2026, with the supercomputer fully operational by 2027.
What does this mean for businesses?
In short: access to unprecedented computing power and AI expertise, without needing to invest in your own infrastructure. This makes it much easier for businesses, large and small, to innovate with AI. Whether you’re working on smarter customer interactions, process automation, or predictive maintenance, this AI factory could supercharge your digital transformation.
Our vision
At OrangeMelons, we’re excited about this development. Not only because it strengthens the Dutch tech ecosystem, but also because it opens the door to even more collaboration between government, industry, and research institutions.

Want to know what this AI factory could mean for your organization or how to start using AI smartly before the supercomputer goes live? Get in touch. We’d love to think along with you.