The EIC Accelerator blended finance company .lumen, developing smart glasses for the blind, closed up to 100 deals following to their participation to CES 2024 with the European Innovation Council (EIC), under the EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0.
As part of the EIC Business Acceleration Services, the EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0 supports EIC-backed companies such as .lumen, in their commercialisation in new markets with participation to world’s renowned trade fairs under the European/EIC Pavilion.
As we gear up for CES 2025 with a new cohort of 15 selected EIC-funded companies, we celebrate the success of the 2024 edition with Cornel Amariei, CEO of .lumen. With the support of the EIC, .lumen has successfully navigated technological challenges, secured funding, and enhanced its market presence with dedicated business services including tailored coaching, matchmaking and networking opportunities.
You participated in CES 2024 as part of the EIC International Trade Fair Programme 3.0 and achieved successful results. Could you provide more information about the deals?
Cornel Amariei: We did not have very high expectations for CES 2024, but we planned meticulously, did our homework, and contacted everyone we could. This effort led to some interesting things: our entire market strategy is now tied to the network we built at CES, including distributors, developers, and sales contacts who will form our US network. We met numerous important people across the US, which helped us understand the challenges we face. Many technical companies we met became our partners. Everything took off like a rocket.
NVIDIA discovered us at CES, we are opening the AWS re:Invent conference 2024 because of CES, and we have a connection with the World Bank also coming from CES. Investors we met by chance at CES led to 80 articles from 40 countries and numerous video interviews. Nobody knew us before CES, everyone does after.
How many deals have you signed as a result of your participation to the trade fair?
Cornel Amariei: We attended CES at least one year too soon, without a clear goal. However, after CES, it became clear that it was the right decision. I can confidently say that CES led to our largest and most important deals, including partnerships with NVIDIA and other international companies. We have signed close to 100 deals because of our participation with the EIC to CES.
What advice do you have for other companies participating in trade fairs?
Cornel Amariei: Do your homework, put in the effort, and understand how to make the most of it. During trade fairs, you will meet people who are very useful to you. How do you attract those people? That is the homework you must do.
We reached out to the press and used all our partners to make things happen, which led to our participation in many events. This is how I met key figures from Microsoft, OpenAI, and others. Do as much as possible and nothing less. It was a very rewarding experience, though extremely tiring, but I am very happy with the results.
What are your future plans for your start-up?
Cornel Amariei: I am closing this investment round in December, which has taken a long time. Next week, I will be in Las Vegas for the AWS re:Invent conference 2024, where I will be presenting on the main stage. After that, I will attend CES 2025 again with the EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0 and continue working on changing the world.
About .lumen
.lumen is an EIC Accelerator company, that revolutionises mobility with its Pedestrian Autonomous Driving AI (PAD AI), first showcased in smart glasses for the blind. Their technology enhances safety and independence, introducing the future of autonomous navigation for people with impaired vision.
About CES
From AI and Digital Health to Space Technology and Cryptocurrency, CES showcases companies from a wide range of sectors, including manufacturers, developers, suppliers of consumer technology hardware, content and technology delivery systems.
This year, the EIC returns to CES 2025 with a delegation of 15 innovative companies, from 6 - 10 January 2025 in Las Vegas, United States. The European Pavilion will be located at Eureka Park, Hall G, booth 60633.
Learn more about the EIC International Trade Fairs 3.0 Programme
The EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0 supports the internationalisation of European SMEs, scaleups, and startups, building on the success of its predecessor, the EIC Overseas Trade Fairs Programme (OTF) 2.0.
Stay tuned on upcoming calls and find additional information and the EIC Community Platform through our news, stories, and programme-related trade fairs.
To follow the latest news and updates, please visit the EIC’s official social media accounts on Twitter and LinkedIn.
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided in the interest of knowledge sharing and should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission, or any other organisation.