CLUSTER / THE DECISION MAP
SMEs, startups and open source.
Proportionate duties, support measures, open-source treatment and planning for smaller organisations.
IN THIS CLUSTER
11 guides.
What does the AI Act mean for SMEs, startups and open source?
An overview of SME and startup support, proportionate duties, small mid-caps and open source exceptions, with the limits that apply to each.
Read guide ↗CLUSTER ARTICLEWho counts as an SME under the AI Act?
The SME definition by reference to Recommendation 2003/361/EC, headcount and financial ceilings, partner and linked enterprises, and why group structure matters.
Read guide ↗CLUSTER ARTICLEWhat proportionate duties and support measures apply to SMEs?
Article 62 support measures, proportionate conformity assessment fees, simplified documentation and the limits of proportionality for SME providers and deployers.
Read guide ↗CLUSTER ARTICLEHow should a startup plan its first AI product under the AI Act?
First product planning for startups: role, classification, evidence, resourcing and the decisions to record before launch, without invented costs or timelines.
Read guide ↗CLUSTER ARTICLEWhat is the open source exception for AI systems?
Article 2(12) and related provisions for AI systems released under free and open source licences, the high risk, prohibition and transparency limits, and the downstream consequences.
Read guide ↗CLUSTER ARTICLEWhat relief exists for open source general purpose AI models?
Articles 53(2) and 54(6) for general purpose models released under free and open source licences, the duties that remain, and the systemic risk exception.
Read guide ↗CLUSTER ARTICLEWhat are small mid-caps under the AI Act?
The SMC definition in Recommendation (EU) 2025/1099, the extensions of SME treatment by Regulation (EU) 2026/1744, and the limits of SMC relief.
Read guide ↗CLUSTER ARTICLEHow can smaller firms use AI regulatory sandboxes?
Regulatory sandboxes under Articles 57 to 59, priority access for SMEs, the sandbox plan, and what sandbox participation does and does not decide.
Read guide ↗CLUSTER ARTICLEHow should a smaller firm plan cost and resourcing for the AI Act?
Cost and resourcing planning without invented figures: time, people, external advice, testing and the records that show where effort went.
Read guide ↗CLUSTER ARTICLEHow should a small supplier contract for AI systems?
Contracting for small AI suppliers and customers: roles, documentation, data, changes, incidents and cooperation, in general terms only.
Read guide ↗CLUSTER ARTICLECan microenterprises use a simplified quality management system?
Article 63 simplified quality management for microenterprises, the partner and linked enterprise condition, and the level of protection that must not be reduced.
Read guide ↗