Brainial, a Utrecht-based startup focused on automating tender procedures with artificial intelligence, has received a new investment to further develop its product and grow its market presence. Although the funding amount was not disclosed, the backing comes from Dutch entrepreneur Pieter Schoen. The company plans to use the capital to scale its AI-based solution, enhance feature offerings, and strengthen its sales and marketing activities across European markets. Founded in 2019, Brainial has already attracted clients such as Heijmans, Randstad, and Croonwolter&dros by offering tools that streamline the tendering process.
What makes Brainial’s AI platform different?
How does Brainial plan to use the new funding?
Unlike traditional methods that require companies to manually sift through extensive tender documentation, Brainial’s solution applies AI to extract key information quickly and with greater consistency. The system is designed to assist bid teams by automating repetitive tasks and reducing the risk involved in submitting tenders. The goal is to allow more time for strategic decision-making and increase the probability of successful bids. According to the company, public tenders account for more than €2 trillion in EU spending annually, making this segment a significant opportunity for optimization through automation.
With the latest funding, Brainial aims to accelerate development by introducing new functionalities and scaling the platform to reach a broader customer base. The company also plans to expand its commercial teams to drive growth into additional European markets. Brainial’s long-term strategy involves not only addressing inefficiencies within the EU but also exploring global tendering challenges.
“The customers we spoke with were very enthusiastic about Brainial. The AI software not only saves significant time but also generates substantial revenue increases for companies using it—a unique combination at a scale I haven’t seen before,”
said investor Pieter Schoen.
Brainial’s founders bring relevant experience to the table. Taco Hiddink previously sold his data analytics company Jibes to Waterland, while Fedor Klinkenberg spent over a decade at Mendix, contributing to its success before the Siemens acquisition. Their backgrounds in enterprise software and data analytics contribute to the technical and strategic direction of the venture. Since its inception, the startup has also received guidance from the Kruit brothers, co-founders of Mendix.
Previous updates about Brainial’s activities emphasized its early traction with clients and the potential for automation in tenders. Earlier reports indicated that the product was still in its initial stages of development, with a smaller client base and limited functionality. With this new round of funding and expanded client list, Brainial is transitioning from operational testing to growth-oriented execution, focusing more on European market penetration and potentially preparing for wider international reach.
The company positions itself as a solution that supports bid teams by minimizing manual effort and maximizing the accuracy of tender submissions. The aim is not to replace human decision-making, but to support it with real-time data analysis and process automation. Brainial’s product integrates AI to read and interpret complex documents, reducing the time required for tender preparation and improving the overall bid quality. This can help enterprises respond more quickly to tenders and focus on high-value strategic activities.
Brainial’s recent funding signals a strategic shift toward scaling and broader market engagement. Companies involved in competitive bidding often face high costs and low win rates, particularly when navigating large public tenders. Tools like Brainial’s platform offer a way to reduce administrative load and increase efficiency. Organizations looking to compete in public and private tenders may benefit from adopting similar technologies to streamline operations and allocate resources more effectively. While Brainial’s focus remains on European expansion, its approach could prompt similar innovations in other regions where documentation-heavy procurement processes still dominate.
