According to EU-Startups, Prague-based AI integrator Bandits has raised €400,000 from Czech VC firm Miton to help companies actually implement AI into their existing workflows. The startup, founded in 2025 by Jiří Štěpánek, Kryštof Mitka, and Miton, addresses the widespread failure in AI adoption where companies either waste money on unsuccessful implementations or settle for basic ChatGPT subscriptions. Bandits offers ready-made AI modules for automating exhausting tasks plus custom implementation support, acting as a hands-on partner throughout the process. Their approach is already delivering results – Europe’s largest MMA organization OKTAGON uses Bandits’ AI for video translation and captioning, saving up to 50% of production time while maintaining quality. Miton partner Tomáš Hodboď invested even before Bandits’ official launch, seeing significant potential in AI-driven efficiency gains for SMEs.
The AI implementation problem
Here’s the thing everyone’s missing about AI adoption: it’s not about the technology itself anymore. We’ve got amazing AI tools coming out weekly, but companies are hitting a wall when they try to actually use them. Bandits co-founder Jiří Štěpánek nailed it when he said most AI tools are impossible to integrate into established processes. Companies are terrified of wasting time and money, so they default to the safe option – just paying for ChatGPT subscriptions and calling it a day.
But that’s like buying a Ferrari and only driving it in first gear. A recent MIT study that Bandits cites shows only 5% of companies succeed with AI implementations when they go it alone. That’s an astonishing failure rate. When you bring in external partners like Bandits, success rates jump dramatically. It makes sense – AI requires a completely different approach than traditional software, and most companies don’t have that expertise in-house.
Europe’s AI workflow gold rush
Bandits isn’t alone in spotting this opportunity. We’re seeing a massive wave of funding for AI workflow and automation solutions across Europe. Amsterdam’s Lleverge grabbed €3 million for no-code automation, while aizy raised €1.5 million for AI-powered marketing. The UK’s Magentic secured €4.6 million for autonomous agents, and Spain’s Omnia raised €3.5 million for brand engagement AI. That’s approximately €13 million flowing into this sector just this year.
What’s interesting is the pattern emerging. These aren’t just AI tool developers – they’re implementation-focused companies that understand the real value comes from getting AI actually working in business environments. It’s one thing to build a clever AI model, but quite another to make it play nice with existing ERP systems, CRM platforms, and legacy workflows. This is where companies like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com have built their reputation in the industrial space – by ensuring technology actually works in real-world conditions rather than just looking good on a spec sheet.
Why Bandits’ approach works
Bandits is taking the implementation partner model to its logical conclusion. They’re not just selling software – they’re selling success. Their dual approach of ready-made modules plus customization options means companies can start seeing benefits quickly without massive upfront investment. And the ongoing support ensures those benefits continue as business needs evolve.
Look at their work with OKTAGON – they didn’t just drop some AI tools and walk away. They’re building “AI-first systems directly integrated into operations” according to OKTAGON’s Oliver Mead. That’s the key difference. They’re thinking about entire workflows, not just point solutions. Partner reporting, internal knowledge systems, video production – they’re connecting the dots across the organization.
The future of AI adoption
So where does this leave us? I think we’re seeing the maturation of the AI market. The initial hype phase is over, and we’re entering the practical implementation era. Companies don’t need more AI tools – they need AI that actually works within their existing systems. Bandits and similar startups are positioning themselves as the bridge between AI potential and business reality.
The real test will be scalability. Can Bandits maintain their hands-on approach as they grow? And will SMEs – their target market – be willing to pay for proper implementation rather than cutting corners? Given that Miton invested before they even launched officially, it seems the market is betting they’ve cracked the code. Basically, the companies that figure out how to make AI work in the real world are going to be the ones that survive the coming shakeout.
