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(BRUSSELS) – The European Commission announced Thursday 69 new innovation investments, the second round of direct equity investment through the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund.
Since launch in 2020, the EIC Fund has approved 111 investments in highly innovative start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) totalling more than 500 million to scale up breakthrough innovations in areas such as health, circular economy, and Internet of Things (IoT).
Innovation Commissioner Mariya Gabriel said: “The EIC Fund has developed incredibly quickly and has established itself as a new force in EU technology investments. This unique form of financing – combining grants and equity – is proving itself highly attractive to Europe’s most promising startups, and providing them with the means to develop and scale their businesses in Europe.”
The equity investments, ranging from 0.5 to 15 million per company, complement the grant financing of up to 2.5 million, which has already been provided through the EIC Accelerator. Investments are preceded by a thorough evaluation by external experts, a due diligence process overseen by the EIC Fund Investment Committee, and a final decision by the EIC Fund Board of Directors. The EIC Fund’s ownership stakes range from 10% to 25% and is typically used to leverage in other investors as part of a larger financing round.
Examples of signed deals:
- Antofénol (France) a company providing natural solution for post-harvest protection of fruit and vegetables;
- Gleechi AB (Sweden) transforming training with virtual reality;
- Keyou GmBH (Germany) developing a technology that allows hydrogen to be used in diesel engines;
- Lixea (Estonia) new technology to dissolve waste wood to get raw materials;
- Ophiomix (Portugal) a decision tool for liver transplantation based on molecular signature.
A list of EIC signed investments shows only 16 signed deals as the Commission does not publish the investments until the company and other investors have given consent.
