Who we are

Rel-I was founded in 2025 in Brussels with the clear ambition of delivering Reliable Intelligence to support better policymaking across the European Union. The company’s name, an intentional play on "Artificial Intelligence”, reflects its guiding vision: to bring forward data-driven, AI-enhanced, and yet human-centred insights that public institutions can trust.

Rel-I does not have a singular origin story because its creation is the result of a confluence of professional values, ideological commitments, and strategic foresight.

The company emerged from a shared recognition by its founders, seasoned policy consultants with over 15 years of experience in the EU market, that it was time to stop seeking a consultancy that matched their ideals, and instead build one.

Rel-I is founded on the principle of quality without compromise. We believe in high-value outputs, methodologically sound approaches, and results that policymakers can act on. Our aim is to become a reference point in the Brussels policy ecosystem, not by size, but by substance.

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  • The following three drivers inspired the creation of Rel-I:

    1. Political imperative: The rise of Euroscepticism and polarisation demands evidence-based policies that tangibly improve citizens’ lives. We believe that rigorous policy evaluation, grounded impact assessments, and strategic regulatory support are vital tools for reinforcing public trust in the EU.

    2. Market evolution: The EU consulting market is increasingly shaped by consolidation, with dominant actors driven by cost optimisation rather than policy quality. Rel-I positions itself as a European-founded and Brussels-based alternative — lean, mission-driven, and focused on public value.

    3. Technological disruption: Generative AI is reshaping the consulting landscape. At Rel-I, we see this as an opportunity to enhance the quality, efficiency, and relevance of policy support. Our slogan, “Reliable Intelligence,” affirms our commitment to using AI responsibly, always paired with deep domain expertise.

    In this context, Rel-I is not just a new consultancy, it is a strategic response to Europe’s evolving needs. Our goal is to act as a catalyst for better regulation, smarter policy, and lasting societal impact. We are agile, integrated, and ready to grow.

  • Rel-I builds on the long-standing experience of its founding team as management team members of one of the market-leading consultancies, whose previous work has shaped flagship studies for the European Commission and contributed to dozens of impact assessments, evaluations, and sector analyses. We bring:

    • 15+ years of consulting experience on EU policy development, analysis, and stakeholder engagement;

    • Specialisation in regulatory cost assessments, including cumulative burden, administrative costs, and compliance tools;

    • Recognised expertise in evaluation methodologies, policy modelling, and foresight analysis;

    • Hands-on knowledge of policy areas including competitiveness, industrial resilience, single market, digitalisation, and sustainability.

Our purpose and ambition

Mission

Improve the quality and efficiency of EU policy-making with reliable evidence, rigorous approaches, and responsible use of AI.

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Vision

Be the ever-learning, innovative, and trusted partner in EU policy-making that brings a positive impact on society and maximises public value.

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