Eight EIC-backed companies showcased their groundbreaking solutions at the EIC ePitching on Software & AI, held on 29 October. The session engaged +25 top qualified European investors, who subsequently invited the innovators for +25 one-on-one meetings and follow-ups. This initiative is a part of the EIC Investment Readiness and Outreach Programme - one of the EIC’s Business Acceleration Services (BAS).

Three pitches were recognized as the best of the day. The innovators behind the pitches represented: Treble Technologies and its advanced sound simulation software on a scalable SaaS platform; Alias Robotics, a robot cyber security firm, with expertise in protecting robots from cyber threats; and Ekkono, behind the development of Edge AI software, designed with an exceptionally small footprint to operate on virtually any device.

The other selected EIC-backed participants included:

• Embedl, from Sweden, showcased their tools and expertise, empowering AI teams to craft efficient deep learning models.
• Neuron Soundware is specialised in sound and data analysis to optimize industrial and power equipment and processes. The Czech Republic innovators accomplish this through AI, IoT, and computing solutions.
• HyperPV, a deep-tech startup from Romania, is working on Electronic Design Automation for cutting-edge chip design and verification.
• French UPMEM proposes an ultra-efficient acceleration in datacenters and mobile for generative AI with disruptive Processing In-Memory semiconductor technology and smart solution. Their solution reduces the cost of data movement and solves the relative Memory Wall.
• Finally, Xelera Technologies enables next-generation clouds and data centers to meet data rate requirements. Their solution, created in Germany, optimises performance and cost efficiency in data centers, which will be key for the next generation of AI applications.

Treble: Creating a better-sounding world

Finnur Pind, Treble's CEO and co-founder, who previously won the "best pitch of the day" award at the EIC ePitching on SaaS in May 2023, shared his insights into the session and Treble's mission.

The EIC ePitching was a fantastic platform to showcase Treble’s cutting-edge acoustic simulation technology and our mission to revolutionize the world of sound. The opportunity to pitch Treble’s innovative solutions to an audience of top-tier investors and industry experts was invaluable and having our pitch recognized as the best underscores the transformative potential of Treble’s solutions. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to creating a better-sounding world. – Finnur Pind, Treble’s CEO

The company was founded in early 2020 by Finnur Pind and Jesper Pedersen, two acoustic engineers with experience in sound simulation. They joined forces after years of research and development in the field of sound technology and processes.

Nowadays, with a team of around 40 passionate and brilliant sound nerds, the company is based in the heart of Reykjavík, Iceland. Currently preparing for its Series B funding round, Treble successfully raised €11m in a Series A round led by KOMPAS VC.

Alias Robotics: Ensuring a European landscape populated with robots

For Víctor Mayoral Vilches, Founder of Alias Robotics, the expectations of the EIC ePitching were successfully met. The company is seeking to raise €5 million in its Series A funding round.

We chose to attend because the portfolio of funds and investors selected were of first quality, according to our understanding. We got positive feedback and had three meetings with investors, which were fruitful. They provided useful insights, and we continue following up with some of them. - Víctor Mayoral Vilches, Founder of Alias Robotics.

Alias Robotics was founded in 2017, in the Basque Country, at a time when robotics security was not yet seen as a priority.

Back then, robotics security wasn't very much in the mindset of manufacturers. It was left up to the user and often it was non-existent. Nowadays, thanks to years of work and collaborations with many manufacturers, we believe that we have started changing the mindset of many robot manufacturers. There's still lots of work to do, but, in a nutshell, the company was created to address this need and to ensure that the European landscape is populated with safe robots. - Víctor Mayoral Vilches, Founder of Alias Robotics.

Alias Robotics' innovative solution, the Robot Immune System (RIS), serves as an antivirus-like endpoint protection platform for robots. Over the years, the company has been expanding its vision to apply this concept to a wider range of robots.

Leveraging generative AI and modern artificial intelligence, we’ve made proof-of-concept demonstrations where our RIS, powered by generative AI, can actually undertake security processes fully autonomously. That means encountering vulnerabilities and mitigating them, which technically means it can replace security personnel, meaning humans - Víctor Mayoral Vilches, Founder of Alias Robotics.

The entrepreneur, who has previously founded and sold other robot companies, states that the potential of this technology is “disruptive” both in the European Union and globally.

Ekkono - Smarter operations for industry leaders like Volvo and Siemens Energy

This was a golden opportunity to get in front of new investors that we hadn’t met before. I had two meetings and two other follow-ups [with investors] that we hadn’t known previously. So, absolutely good results, - Jon Lindén, Co-Founder and CMO of Ekkono

In the aftermath of the ePitching session, Lindén also praised the format and presence of top-profile investors. An experienced participant in such initiatives, Ekkono’s Co-Founder had positive feedback on the overall experience.

I think you really nailed the format. It wasn’t too short, giving enough time for the presentations, but it wasn’t too long either, it was just enough. I think that was one of the reasons why you also attracted the right kind of investors that were there: a seriously good crowd of VC firms that focus on different stages, with interest and relevance when it comes to technology and AI. - Jon Lindén, Co-Founder and CMO of Ekkono

The Swedish company, selling from 2017, counts industry giants like Volvo, Siemens Energy, Atlas Copco, Alfa Laval, and Danfoss among its customers. The company specialises in Edge AI software. What’s their uniqueness? The “super-tiny footprint” that allows Ekkono to run on virtually anything. Moreover, Ekkono’s technology goes beyond traditional inference, enabling training at the edge. This allows product Original Equipment Manufacturers to learn how every unit operates in the field to detect deviations that require attention, and to ensure that every unit runs at its best.

To date, Ekkono has raised 6.3 million euros, namely through EIC grant, and is now in the process of closing in on a €5 million funding round.

Everyone has probably heard of the Draghi report by now and the challenges the EU and European businesses face when it comes to growth and maintaining a leading position in tech development. And I think that every initiative defending that position should be encouraged and applauded. This event is one of them, and we have to see where it leads. - Jon Lindén, Co-Founder and CMO of Ekkono

SAP’s commitment to AI innovation: Insights from Emmanuel Cassimatis

Emmanuel Cassimatis covers Data and AI Innovation, Investments and Partnerships at SAP, a global leader in enterprise applications and business AI. With over 50 years of expertise, SAP is driven by its commitment “to help the world run better and improving people’s lives” as well as its vision “to bring out the best in every business”.

We were interested to know more about what the EIC highlights as interesting companies in AI. It was a very good event, well-structured and it was easy to understand the company activities. It was very interesting to meet these companies, - Emmanuel Cassimatis, Data and AI Innovation, Investments and Partnerships for SAP.

When discussing the factors that make a company attractive for investment by SAP, Cassimatis highlights “the ability to scale, product strength, differentiation and barriers to entry, and execution capabilities of the team”.

The chosen EIC-backed companies pitched to a jury of investors from Armilar Venture Partners,  Caixa Capital Risc, Capricorn Partners, eCAPITAL, Equinor, Ericsson Ventures, Global Brain, Matterwave Ventures, NGP Capital, No Such Ventures, Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH, SAP, Speedinvest, Ventech VC and Voima Ventures.

The next pitching sessions under the programme will focus on Healthcare, with the EIC x J&J Healthcare Investor Day, in Paris, on 13 November (additional details here) and Food & Agritech, online, on 4 December (check out more information here).

About the EIC Investment Readiness and Outreach Programme

This opportunity is brought to you by the EIC Investment Readiness and Outreach Programme, which is expanding the EIC’s Business Acceleration Services (BAS). The programme aims to enhance the investor readiness of EIC Accelerator innovators, providing them with the necessary tools and knowledge to attract investment and scale their ventures. Once ready, the programme also provides introductions to the best investors in their sector, namely through ePitchings and Investor Days. 

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