Expertise

AskE’s experts have both academic and practical expertise on these topics and stay ahead of the latest smart cities innovations daily. Smart cities leverage the potential of ICT to improve urban infrastructure and living. This encompasses intelligent infrastructure, for example, optimizing city resource distribution, bolstering public safety, optimizing urban mobility and smart grids as well as improving urban management. Integrating new information and communication technologies into existing infrastructure and urban life in a smooth, inclusive and comprehensive is crucial for tackling persistent urban issues.

Inspired by the EU Smart Cities Marketplace, we are well-versed in the applications of AI, 5G and big data for urban solutions and the governance around these smart solutions, actively support major EU projects concerning smart cities technologies and collaborate with our clients to explore the viability of groundbreaking smart city innovations. Furthermore, we offer valuable insights into emerging opportunities and possibilities for creating smarter, more sustainable cities.

AskE provides thorough expertise in various facets of sustainability, offering comprehensive support for clients navigating this complex and evolving landscape. Driven by ambitious targets set forth in the European Green Deal, which mandates a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in Europe by 2050, our expertise includes key areas, such as:

• Sustainable Mobility: Facilitating the transition towards environmentally friendly transportation for both people and goods. AskE provides comprehensive support throughout this large-scale sustainable mobility transition. We cater to both passenger and freight transport, offering expertise in large infrastructure projects while also supporting SMEs and start-ups with groundbreaking ideas, fostering the integration of innovation and sustainability transition in the sector. Our support includes identifying opportunities, facilitating access to funding, and enabling the successful scaling-up of impactful initiatives at regional, national, and European levels. This encompasses:
1. The integration of physical and digital mobility systems via smart mobility solutions
2. (e.g. Mobility-as-a-Service – MaaS, automated driving, AI and big data solutions) to improve efficiency, accessibility, inclusivity, safety and environmental impact of transportation systems.
3. The adoption of low-emission fleets (e.g. electric vehicles, hydrogen-fuelled vehicles) to contribute to the transport decarbonization targets of the EU.
4. The development of sustainable mobility infrastructure, such as recharging/refuelling infrastructure for all transport modes to ensure efficiency of and access to sustainable mobility systems for all.
• Sustainable Energy: Supporting the development and implementation of energy systems that promote the responsible and environmentally conscious use of energy. This includes exploring innovative approaches such as smart grids, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) as well as system integration and the transition to low-carbon energy carriers like hydrogen. In the realm of sustainable energy, AskE assists clients in navigating the development and implementation of various energy systems aimed at promoting sustainability. We possess in-depth knowledge of current innovations, key players, and the maturity of different technologies. Whether it's small-scale conversion projects or large European energy storage initiatives, AskE provides up-to-date expertise and support across the spectrum of sustainable energy advancements.

AskE provides deep expertise in assisting clients develop strategies and secure funding for EU R&D and innovation projects. Artificial intelligence (AI) has become crucial for governance and decision-making, especially in the fields of sustainability, public policy and digital platforms. AI Governance is the framework of policies, procedures, and practices that organizations and societies put in place to ensure that AI systems are developed and used ethically, legally, and in alignment with societal values. It provides the structures and processes for implementing ethical principles in practice.

Driven by EU AI Strategy, the 2024 EU AI Act and the 2025 AI Continent Plan, AskE’s expertise includes, among others, the following aspects:

• The thoughtful and pro-active integration of AI in digital systems design to ensure fair and inclusive digital platforms for all users.
• The development of AI governance frameworks to ensure ethical, legal procedures, responsible innovation and democratic decision-making.
• The evaluation of the sustainability of AI to mitigate the environmental impacts of data collection, storage and processing.
• The use of AI for reaching sustainability goals in smart and efficient transport and energy systems.

AskE specializes in empowering clients to realize significant value from their innovative ideas through a comprehensive innovation management process. We help clients formulate a clear vision for their organization with thought-through plans for the following years. We do so via:

• Vision and roadmap creation: We perform market research and analysis of visions, relevant policy documents and strategic agendas of your sector.
• Stakeholder analysis: We conduct interviews, focus groups and workshops with relevant stakeholders in your sector to identify key issues and trends in your sector for the future.
• Innovation roadmap: We synthesize this information outlining your long-term vision, key challenges, potential obstacles, and anticipated developments.
• Action plan: We develop a set of measures combined with a dissemination, and exploitation/commercialization strategy to maximize the impact of your innovation roadmap.

AskE specializes on social innovation focusing on guiding organizations (i.e. businesses, non-profits, public agencies, public-private entities) to develop and implement novel solutions that address pressing social and environmental challenges in areas like poverty, inequality, health, education, and climate change. Our expert approach includes the following areas (indicatively):

• Identifying Social Needs: We help organizations deeply understand the social or environmental problems they want to tackle through desk research, stakeholder engagement methods (e.g. workshops, focus groups, interviews), and data analysis.
• Generating Innovative Ideas: We facilitate creative processes to brainstorm and develop new solutions, approaches, products, services, or business models that can address the identified needs more effectively.
• Developing Strategies: We work with clients to create clear strategies and action plans for implementing their social innovations, including defining goals, target populations, and key performance indicators.
• Building Partnerships: Social innovation often requires collaboration. We help organizations forge partnerships with other stakeholders, including community groups, other organizations, and even competitors.
• Securing Resources: We assist with funding applications and identifying other sources of financial and non-financial support.
• Capacity Building: We help build the internal capacity of the client organization to continue innovating for social good in the long-term.

AskE provides organizations with support for adopting new digital technologies to enable innovation, improve digital capabilities, customer experience, enhance agility operational efficiency and ensure long-term competitiveness in an increasingly digital economy. Inspired by the 2018 EU’s Single Digital Gateway regulation and Europe’s Digital Decade for 2030, we assist organizations secure funding for digital transformation projects, such as:

• Website designs and e-commerce platforms.
• Business intelligence platforms.
• Digital marketing and CRM integration.
• Connectivity infrastructures (i.e. Gigabit, 5G).
• Cybersecurity upgrades and innovations.
• Cloud migration and automation tools.
• Data analytics and AI tools for optimizing operations.

AskE supports mental health organizations, non-profits, clinics, schools, and community programs in securing funding to develop, expand, or sustain mental health initiatives. Inspired by the 2023 EU Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health, we provide both motivational coaching and funding application support for a range of projects related to (indicatively):

• Life-long training on mental health counselling.
• Community-based mental health outreach.
• School mental health and wellness programs.
• Suicide prevention and crisis management initiatives.
• Behavioural health workforce development.
• Trauma-informed and culturally competent care approaches.