11 Dutch start-ups have collectively raised € 118 million in funding in the latest round of the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program. These projects include virus counteraction, quantum computer improvements, and circular raw materials production.
The program is part of Horizon Europe, the overarching program of the European Commission (EC) aimed at boosting Europes competitiveness by stimulating science and innovation.
The winning start-ups
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) congratulates the 11 winning innovative Dutch start-ups. They collectively receive € 24.3 million in grants from the EIC Accelerator program, with € 93.5 million in investments committed by the EIC Fund.
The winning start-ups are:
- Deeploy: assists companies with specialized software to ensure safe and transparent use of AI, thus complying with upcoming regulations.
- Astrape: develops OPTINET, a system combining optical and electronic connections for efficient data management, reducing data center energy consumption by up to 60%.
- QDI systems: develops new sensor technology based on lead sulfide quantum dots for improved image quality in X-rays and SWIR (Short Wave InfraRed) applications.
- Delft Circuits: develops scalable cables and hardware solutions for cryogenic environments where quantum computers operate. They provide efficient and reliable connections at extremely low temperatures with flexible circuits.
- Leyden Laboratories: develops nasal sprays with antibodies targeting respiratory viruses in the nasal mucosa. This can stop the initial infection, prevent further transmission, and provide protection against existing and new viruses.
- CarbonX: has an energy-efficient production process to locally produce carbon black, which can replace Chinese graphite in batteries.
- VARMX: develops a universal drug for quickly stopping bleeding in patients using blood thinners. This prevents serious bleeding, for example, during surgeries.
- Nextkidney: creates a portable dialysis system allowing home dialysis for patients with kidney disease instead of in hospitals.
- C2CA Technology: can recycle concrete rubble into primary circular raw materials to be used as a cement substitute with 99% lower CO2 emissions than regular cement.
- Brineworks: develops a new electrochemical process to extract CO2 from seawater to create sustainable fuels.
- Veridi Technologies: by automatically analyzing farmland, they can provide faster and cheaper advice on improvement steps for soil quality, leading to healthier crops.
RVO supports and advises in applications
RVO is the national contact point for Horizon Europe. Team IRIS from RVO advised and supported several winning companies in their application. The advisors provided feedback on the project proposals and rehearsed the interview conducted by the EIC jury with the companies.
Practicing the interview at your office prepared us well. Its incredibly beneficial that you offer this to start-ups.
EIC Accelerator Program
The European Innovation Council (EIC) supports innovative companies: from fundamental research to start-ups and scale-ups. The EIC focuses on deep-tech innovations. The EIC Accelerator program is part of this. Its goal is to help individual companies develop, scale, and market groundbreaking innovations with high risk and significant impact.
Want to know more?
- Do you have questions about the EIC Accelerator program? Or do you want to submit a project proposal and need advice? Contact our advisors via Accelerator@rvo.nl.
- Read in the interview with Daniel Schobben of Salvia BioElectronics how EIC Accelerator helps them accelerate their development.