Dutch AI Company Artific Wins National Award for Privacy-First Business Solutions
Enschede, Sunday, 18 January 2026.
Artific, an Enschede-based artificial intelligence company, claimed the AI Company of the Year title at the 2025 National AI Awards for its groundbreaking approach to secure, GDPR-compliant business AI implementation. The company’s platform integrates 35 different language models while maintaining strict data privacy standards, serving over 100 clients including Basic-Fit and Marktplaats. What sets Artific apart is its unique ability to automatically select the optimal AI model for specific queries while pseudonymizing sensitive data.
Strategic Innovation in AI Model Integration
The recognition comes from Artific’s sophisticated approach to artificial intelligence deployment, which addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing businesses today: how to harness AI’s power while maintaining data security and regulatory compliance [1]. Founded three years ago by Ferran Rohaan, a 42-year-old entrepreneur from Hengelo [1], the company has developed a platform that goes beyond traditional chatbot solutions by intelligently routing queries to the most appropriate AI model from its integrated suite of 35 language models, including ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini [1]. This automatic selection process ensures optimal responses while maintaining seamless user experience, as CEO Ivo Rupert, 41, from Borne explains: “For the user, it feels like one system, while smart switching happens behind the scenes” [1].
Privacy-First Architecture Drives Market Success
Artific’s commitment to data protection extends beyond basic compliance measures through its implementation of advanced pseudonymization techniques and document fragmentation protocols [1]. The company splits documents and pseudonymizes data to protect confidential information, ensuring that sensitive business data remains secure throughout the AI processing pipeline [1]. This privacy-first approach has resonated strongly with enterprise clients, enabling Artific to serve more than 100 customers by 2025, including major Dutch companies such as Basic-Fit, Hanos, Marktplaats, Veiligheidsregio Twente, and Vechtstede Notarissen [2][3]. The platform’s GDPR-compliant architecture allows organizations to leverage AI capabilities without compromising on regulatory requirements, a critical factor for European businesses operating under strict data protection laws [GPT].
Scalable Business Model Through Strategic Partnerships
Rather than operating as a standalone software provider, Artific has developed a sophisticated partner ecosystem that drives both sales and implementation across diverse industry sectors [1]. The company leverages advisory firms, marketing agencies, and organizations with specialized sector knowledge to distribute its platform, providing these partners with commission-based compensation structures [1]. This approach enables rapid market penetration while ensuring that clients receive tailored implementation support and training from partners who understand their specific industry requirements [1]. The effectiveness of this model is demonstrated through real-world applications such as Heracles Almelo’s digital assistant, which uses the platform to answer supporter questions by accessing internal club documents [1]. Currently employing nearly 30 staff members, Artific continues to expand with 6 active job openings as of January 2026 [1].
Industry Recognition Validates Market Position
The National AI Awards jury evaluated companies based on four key criteria: innovation capacity, impact on the Dutch AI sector, technological advancement, and the practical applicability of AI solutions for organizations [2][3]. Artific’s victory in the AI Company of the Year category, announced on January 16, 2026 [3][9], validates the company’s strategic focus on making AI technology accessible and reliable for Dutch organizations [9]. “This award is fantastic recognition for the entire team and our vision to make AI workable for the Netherlands,” stated CEO Ivo Rupert [2][4]. Founder Ferran Rohaan emphasized the company’s forward momentum: “We see this award as beautiful confirmation, but especially as motivation to continue. AI evolves rapidly and we continue to invest in research, development and further professionalizing our platform” [4][9]. The recognition positions Artific as a leader in the Netherlands’ growing AI ecosystem, where responsible AI development increasingly drives innovation and competitive advantage [GPT].