TLDR
Our AI guide for mid-sized companies (Mittelstand) is now available as version 2.0. The guide is written in German. Four things have moved the most: the deadlines of the EU AI Act, supervision in Germany, the funding programmes and the status of CompanyWizard. You receive the new edition free by email.
Why a new edition
A guide to AI in the office goes out of date faster than most documents. In 2026, too much changed in law, funding and tools for a few additions. Version 2.0 reflects the legal status of 10 November 2026 and is not legal advice.
1. AI Omnibus: new deadlines
The AI Omnibus has been applicable law since 27 July 2026. Above all, it deferred the high-risk obligations of the EU AI Act: to 2 December 2027 for stand-alone systems, for example in human resources, and to 2 August 2028 for AI in regulated products. Deferred does not mean cancelled. The prohibitions continue to apply, and the transparency obligations have applied since 2 August 2026: anyone who communicates with an AI by chat or voice must be able to recognise this.
The guide includes a table of deadlines and a checklist that takes you through the legal framework in six steps.
2. Supervision: the Bundesnetzagentur
Since 29 July 2026 it has been clear who is responsible in Germany. The Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency) is the market surveillance authority and the central complaints body. For mid-sized companies, its free services matter more than the authority itself: the AI service desk and the AI compliance compass, an online check for a first assessment of the risk class. The guide lists these and further contact points and explains the range of fines, including the relief for small and medium-sized companies.
3. Funding: re-sorted
The best-known programme, ZIM, has not accepted applications since 7 July 2026; a restart is planned for early 2027. What works instead:
- Forschungszulage (research allowance): tax funding for your own development, improved since the beginning of 2026 and available retroactively.
- Digital-Tech-to-Product: a new federal programme for joint projects with a focus on AI.
- Digitalbonus Bayern: a grant for small companies in Bavaria; the Plus variant also covers AI projects.
All information reflects the status of November 2026. Please check the conditions on the programme pages before you apply.
4. CompanyWizard in beta
Our AI platform for your own company is in an advanced beta phase. The core functions are in daily use at evanto; some functions marked as beta are still being extended. The guide describes the editions, the data protection architecture and the pilot programme: we are looking for ten pilot customers from the Mittelstand. It also says when CompanyWizard is not yet the right choice, for example if you need a guaranteed availability for business-critical processes today.
How to get the new edition
Request the guide on the landing page. Both are in German. This also applies if you already have an earlier edition: you automatically receive version 2.0.
