Seeing is believing: redesigning interior spaces with cutting edge technology

The partnership was beneficial to both companies, and their project was one of only 20 to receive funding of EUR 52 000 from RE-CENTRE, a EUROCLUSTER project. Funding was just the start of this synergistic collaboration kick-started by the Enterprise Europe Network.

Design choices expand with AI and augmented reality (AR)

Ainak Ltd is a Finnish start-up that uses augmented reality and AI to redesign interior spaces. Their platform allows clients and customers to experiment with the placement and style of furniture in a virtual setting. The ease of testing ideas enables a more satisfying and productive planning process, and users can feel confident in the workability of their choices. 

Virtual interior design benefits the environment as well as the creative process. Businesses and customers can work remotely and avoid the expense of purchasing and moving furniture before final decisions are made. 

Ainak Ltd has developed a product that is applicable to many clients, but going from start-up to international business partner is not easy. This is where the Enterprise Europe Network’s expertise and vast interconnected system of partners comes into play. 

Regarding Network support, Ainak Ltd stated: "Our unique innovations on AR and AI for digitising sales of furniture and industrial solutions are exciting for customers and business partners. Finding partners is always challenging, and Enterprise Europe Network is a great platform that has already proven to be successful with Italian partner Escooh. We will continue to explore more partnership opportunities in the future."

Innovation and streamlined designs 

Escooh is an Italian furniture design company founded in 2013 by Antonio Rizzuto. Open to innovation and with a commitment to green practices, Escooh investigates the potential of natural materials, particularly wood. With a focus on durability and sustainability, their designs are modern, minimalist and streamlined. Their work has been showcased in both home settings such as kitchens and bathrooms as well as in public spaces such as the Doha airport in Qatar. 

Describing the company’s designs, a spokesperson for Escooh said: "The company developed a product called Escooh Legnovivo, a panel of solid wood, made by a single plank, book matched and treated with natural sterilisation, drying and thermal treatment methods, which allows complete freedom of design for architects and workability for carpentries." Escooh’s innovative outlook matches that of Ainak Ltd. The neutrality of Escooh designs creates space for individual expression, and that flexibility is a perfect fit for the Ainak Ltd design platform.

EUROCLUSTER projects and Network support

In June 2023, Ainak Ltd reached out to Enterprise Europe Network in Finland to find a partner suitable for the RE-CENTRE open call, targeting in particular Bulgaria, Spain, Italy and Romania. This EUROCLUSTER project supports SMEs from three sectors: the traditional furniture and living sector, the IT sector, and the green/circular economy sector. 

Applicants for the grant must involve at least two companies and represent at least two of the identified sectors. The main objectives of RE-CENTRE are to financially support small cross-sectional partnerships and create new collaboration models featuring digital and green innovations.

Ainak Ltd relied on the Network for help in partnering with Escooh. A representative from Ainak Ltd noted: "Ainak had done technology development but had not collaborated with an SME furniture company to define and develop a scalable solution for the European market. Network colleague Viviana Fili from Sicindustria noticed the profile and informed her client who was interested to discuss with Ainak Ltd about the project."

Sicindustria advisor Viviana Fili shared: "After reading the details of the R&D request published by colleagues at Business Finland, I thought about the possible interest of the Sicilian company Escooh, considering its activities as a producer of traditional furniture, its involvement in other Enterprise Europe Network activities and its openness to innovation."

In collaboration with Escooh, Ainak Ltd developed a platform that does not require an app installation. Additionally, the platform can be adopted by any e-commerce company. This is an important development for businesses in the furniture and living sector and will allow for the development of more digitised and sustainable sales and design practices. The solution was fully developed and tested during the collaboration funded by the RE-CENTRE grant and achieved due to the support from the Enterprise Europe Network.

Since collaborating with Escooh and successfully applying for the RE-CENTRE grant, Ainak Ltd has attracted more interest from potential international partners. They have received one business offer profile and three R&D development request profiles. The company also took part in an Enterprise Europe Network matchmaking event held in Finland. 

Ainak Ltd and Escooh are innovative young companies leading European commerce to a more sustainable, circular and creative future. Thanks to the Enterprise Europe Network, both companies have made significant strides on this exciting path.