1 The EIC Accelerator Project

The EIC Accelerator program, part of the European Innovation Council (EIC), is designed to support innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in scaling their groundbreaking technologies. This program aims to foster the development of deep tech and innovative solutions that can substantially impact various sectors, including healthcare, energy, and information technology.

Funding Structure

The EIC Accelerator provides a unique funding model that combines both grants and equity investments. The grant component allows eligible companies to secure funding of up to €2.5 million to cover costs associated with the development and market introduction of their innovations. This funding can be utilized for a variety of purposes, including research and development, market entry strategies, and operational expenses.

In addition to the grant, the EIC Accelerator also offers equity financing. Initially, companies could access up to €15 million until 2024, which was designed to enable them to attract further investment and scale their operations effectively. Since 2025, this equity funding has been capped at €10 million. The program aims to fill the funding gap that often exists for innovative companies, enabling them to progress from the prototype stage to market-ready solutions while mitigating the financial risks associated with innovation.

Purpose and Role in the Ecosystem

The EIC Accelerator plays a crucial role in the European startup ecosystem, particularly in the deep tech sector. By providing substantial funding and support, it enables innovative companies to bridge the gap between early-stage development and commercialization. The program not only enhances the competitiveness of European startups but also contributes to the overall economic growth and technological advancement of the region.

Moreover, the EIC Accelerator facilitates collaboration and partnerships between startups and established firms, thereby fostering an environment conducive to innovation. By assisting companies in scaling their operations, the program also helps them attract additional funding from private investors, thereby creating a sustainable growth model.

Case Study: Cephalgo and the ADAPTE Project

Cephalgo, a French company specializing in health technology, is a notable winner of the EIC Accelerator. Their project, titled ADAPTE, aims to develop a novel and accurate emotion recognition system for real-time and continuous patient monitoring in psychiatry. The project represents a significant advancement in mental health care by leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance patient outcomes.

Technology Basics and Background

The ADAPTE system utilizes advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques to analyze emotional states through various physiological signals. By integrating data from wearable devices, such as smartwatches or sensors, the system can continuously monitor patients' emotional conditions. This real-time feedback allows healthcare providers to gain insights into a patient’s mental state, leading to timely interventions and improved treatment plans.

The technology is grounded in the understanding that emotions significantly affect mental health and well-being. Traditional methods of monitoring emotions in clinical settings are often limited to subjective assessments and periodic evaluations. ADAPTE, on the other hand, offers a continuous and objective measure of emotional states, which can be crucial for patients with conditions such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.

Cephalgo's innovative approach aims to enhance the efficiency of psychiatric care by providing healthcare professionals with reliable data that can inform treatment decisions. The system is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that both patients and clinicians can easily engage with the technology. By reducing the burden of mental health conditions through enhanced monitoring and timely interventions, ADAPTE has the potential to transform psychiatric care.

In summary, the EIC Accelerator program serves as a pivotal mechanism for supporting innovative companies like Cephalgo, enabling them to scale their transformative technologies within the European market. The ADAPTE project exemplifies the potential of integrating technology into healthcare to improve patient outcomes and redefine care paradigms in psychiatry.

2 The Funding Rounds

Cephalgo: Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Overview

Cephalgo, a French company specializing in emotion recognition systems for real-time and continuous patient monitoring in psychiatry, was selected as an EIC Accelerator winner following the March 22, 2023 cut-off. Since receiving this recognition and funding, key information about its financing activities is summarized below.

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Financing Raised and Funding Rounds

• Cephalgo received EIC Accelerator “Grant First” funding as part of the March 2023 call. The standard structure for such grants is up to €2.5 million in non-dilutive grant money, often followed by potential additional equity investment through the EIC Fund.
• According to public startup databases, Cephalgo’s total reported funding stands at €2.5 million—consistent with an initial EIC grant award.
• There are no publicly disclosed subsequent funding rounds (such as Series A or beyond), nor evidence of private venture capital-led rounds since the initial EIC-backed financing.

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Timing and Amounts of Funding Rounds

• The decisive event was Cephalgo’s selection during the March 22, 2023 cut-off round for the EIC Accelerator.
• Their recommended financing type from this round was "Grant First," meaning they first receive a grant (up to €2.5 million) with a possibility to negotiate further equity investment at a later date if warranted by growth needs.
• As of May 2025, there are no announcements or records indicating subsequent private fundraising events or additional tranches from other investors.

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Investor Information

• The primary backer listed is the European Innovation Council (EIC), which awarded both non-dilutive grants and may provide conditional equity investments through its dedicated fund.
• No external institutional venture capital firms or angel investors have been publicly linked to post-EIC investments in Cephalgo since their accelerator win.

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Company Valuation

• There are no public disclosures regarding company valuation following their EIC grant win.
• For companies at this stage with only non-dilutive grant backing and without further dilutive rounds reported, formal market valuations typically remain undisclosed unless new equity fundraising occurs.

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Exit Events: IPOs, Buyouts & Acquisitions

• As of May 2025:
• No evidence suggests that Cephalgo has undergone an acquisition or buyout.
• There has been no IPO filing or listing activity.
• The company appears focused on technology development and commercialization following its recent substantial public funding support.

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Summary Table

Aspect	Details
Total Financing Raised	€2.5 million (EIC Grant First)
Funding Rounds	Single round via EIC Accelerator Grant
Timing	Awarded after March 22, 2023 cut-off
Main Investor	European Innovation Council (EIC)
Private Investors	None disclosed
Company Valuation	Not publicly available
Exit Events	None reported

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Conclusion

Since winning its significant public innovation award from the European Innovation Council in spring 2023, Cephalgo has not announced any further private fundraising rounds, new investor participation beyond the EU commission vehicle backing it initially via grants (and potentially future conditional equity), nor any exit events such as acquisition or IPO. Its focus remains on developing innovative medical technology solutions leveraging this foundational support.

Sources

• Cephalgo company information – startups.eithealth.eu
• Cephalgo – IAmsterdam Startup Map
• EIT Health/EU Startup Luxembourg – List: Conditional Equity Commitment
• Official PDF list — European Innovation Council Accelerator Winners March 22 Cut-Off
• European Commission News — New Deep Tech Start-ups Get Funding June '23

3 The Press Releases

Cephalgo: A Pioneer in Mental Health Technology

Cephalgo, a French company, made significant strides in the field of mental health by harnessing biosignal technology and advanced AI. The company's mission is to make mental health care more accessible, personalized, and effective by translating complex biological data into actionable insights. This approach bridges the gap between individuals seeking support and mental health professionals, facilitating better communication and more tailored solutions.

Key Projects and Technology

Cephalgo is recognized for several innovative projects:

• ADAPTE: This project focuses on developing algorithms for accurate emotion analysis across diverse populations. It ensures that emotion recognition technology is accessible and effective regardless of demographic backgrounds.
• OPADE: This research explores the connection between gut health and mental wellbeing by mapping how biosignals from both the brain and digestive system interact.
• ReSonate: This involves developing neurofeedback protocols for depression management. Users receive real-time brain activity feedback to learn self-regulation of neural patterns associated with depressive states.

EIC Accelerator Funding

In March 2023, Cephalgo was awarded funding by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator. This funding is part of a broader initiative to support start-ups and SMEs in bringing game-changing innovations to the market. The EIC Accelerator provides a combination of grants and equity investments to support deep-tech projects like Cephalgo's emotion recognition system, ADAPTE.

Impact and Future Directions

With the EIC funding, Cephalgo is poised to further develop its technology and expand its reach. The company's focus on accessible, AI-driven mental health solutions aligns with growing global interest in personalized healthcare and mental wellness technologies.

Sources

• EIC Accelerator: New Group of Deep Tech Start-Ups Selected
• EIC Accelerator Winners and Statistics March 2023
• These Are the Winners of EIC Accelerator's Second 2023 Call
• Cephalgo

4 The Technology Advancements

Cephalgo: Current Capabilities and Advancements

Cephalgo, a French company specializing in harnessing biosignal technology and advanced AI for mental health care, received funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator in March 2023. This support has potentially accelerated their mission to make mental health care more accessible and personalized.

Current Capabilities

Cephalgo focuses on several key technologies: - Real-time Mental State Monitoring: They use advanced algorithms to interpret biosignals, tracking emotional and mental states continuously.

• Personalized Support Systems: The company offers data-driven recommendations tailored to individual needs, enhancing support for mental health.
• Professional-Consumer Connection: Cephalgo provides tools that improve communication between individuals and mental health professionals.
• Evidence-Based Solutions: Their technology is grounded in rigorous scientific research, ensuring effective and reliable outcomes.

Advancements Since EIC Funding

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding, Cephalgo has likely been able to enhance its technology and research efforts. Although specific new advancements are not detailed in the available data, the funding would have supported further development of projects like ADAPTE, which aims to make emotion analysis technology accessible across diverse populations, and ReSonate, focusing on neurofeedback for depression management.

Market Demonstration and Scientific Contributions

There is no specific information available on whether Cephalgo has demonstrated their technology in the market through customer implementations, demonstrators, pilots, or clinical trials since the funding. Similarly, there are no details on new patents filed or scientific studies published in this period.

Future Prospects

Cephalgo continues to innovate at the intersection of biosignals and AI, potentially leveraging the EIC funding to expand their research and technology offerings. Their focus on accessible and personalized mental health solutions positions them well in the evolving landscape of mental health care.

Sources

• Cephalgo
• EIC Accelerator Winners and Statistics March 2023

5 The Partnerships and Customers

Cephalgo's Strategic Partnerships and Market Positioning Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Following its 2023 EIC Accelerator win, Cephalgo has focused on integrating biosignal technology with AI-driven mental health solutions, though specific customer or partner names remain undisclosed in publicly available information. The company emphasizes professional-consumer connectivity tools and evidence-based mental health monitoring systems, suggesting collaborations with healthcare providers and research institutions.

Key Relationships and Market Impact

• Research Collaborations: Projects like ADAPTE (demographic-inclusive emotion analysis) and OPADE (brain-gut axis mapping) indicate partnerships with academic or clinical entities to validate technology across diverse populations.
• Neurofeedback Development: The ReSonate project for depression management involves neurofeedback protocols likely developed alongside psychiatric experts or therapeutic centers.
• Talent Acquisition: Recent job postings for AI engineers specializing in LLMs/NLP and full-stack developers highlight a push to integrate advanced language models into their platforms, implying collaboration with AI research groups or cloud service providers.

Technology Advancements Through Partnerships

Cephalgo’s focus on real-time biosignal interpretation algorithms positions it as a leader in personalized mental health care. By leveraging partnerships for data validation and tool refinement, the company can enhance algorithmic accuracy across demographics. Joint ventures could accelerate adoption of its EEG-based monitoring systems in clinical settings, bridging gaps between wearable tech and professional diagnostics.

Scaling Strategy

The lack of disclosed customer names suggests a focus on B2B channels (e.g., hospitals, telehealth platforms) rather than direct-to-consumer sales. Integration of LLM/RAG capabilities indicates plans to automate patient-professional interactions at scale, reducing manual oversight while maintaining compliance with clinical standards.

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Sources

• Cephalgo Company Profile
• Cephalgo Official Website
• Postdoc Collaboration Details

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

Cephalgo: A Mental Health Innovator

Cephalgo, a French company founded in 2021, specializes in harnessing biosignal technology and advanced AI to make mental health care more accessible and personalized. Since winning the EIC Accelerator funding in March 2023, Cephalgo has been focusing on expanding its team and improving its offerings.

Current Team Size and Headcount

The current team size of Cephalgo is not explicitly detailed in the available data. However, the company is actively seeking new talent, indicating a growing organization.

Hiring Status

Cephalgo is currently hiring for several positions. Recent job postings include a Backend Engineer with strong NLP experience and a Full Stack Engineer with expertise in both frontend and backend development. These roles suggest that the company is focusing on enhancing its AI capabilities and technology stack.

Team Growth

The company's growth is reflected in its hiring efforts. By expanding its team with specialized engineers, Cephalgo aims to enhance its technological capabilities, particularly in AI and data analysis. This strategic hiring indicates a commitment to advancing its mental health solutions.

Key Positions and Future Impact

The recent hiring focus on AI and software development positions indicates that Cephalgo is aiming to improve its data-driven insights and real-time monitoring capabilities. New team members will play a crucial role in scaling the company's technology, allowing it to provide more personalized and effective mental health care solutions. This growth strategy will help Cephalgo expand its reach and impact in the mental health sector.

Major Changes in Management

There is no information available regarding major changes in Cephalgo's management or founding team since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding.

Future Prospects

As Cephalgo continues to grow and innovate, its emphasis on cutting-edge AI and biosignal technology positions it well for future success. The company's focus on creating more accessible and personalized mental health solutions aligns with the evolving needs of the healthcare industry. With its expanding team and enhanced technological capabilities, Cephalgo is poised to make significant contributions to the field of mental health care.

Sources: - Cephalgo

89 Top Medical Equipment Companies in France

7 The Media Features and Publications

Media Features and Public Engagement of Cephalgo Post-EIC Accelerator Funding

Cephalgo, a French deep-tech startup specializing in AI-driven emotion recognition and mental health tracking, gained recognition after winning EIC Accelerator funding in June 2023[^eic]. While specific media articles directly naming the company are not extensively documented in available sources, its inclusion in the EIC Accelerator’s 2023 cohort highlights its innovative approach to real-time patient monitoring[^eic].

Key Highlights

• EIC Accelerator Recognition: Cephalgo was selected for EIC funding under Project Adapte, which focuses on developing accurate emotion recognition systems for healthcare applications[^eic].
• Academic Collaboration: In September 2022, Prof. Thomas Lampert (Chair of AI at Télécom Physique Strasbourg) partnered with Cephalgo to recruit a PhD candidate via a CIFRE industrial agreement[^phd], indicating active research integration.
• Sector Visibility: The company is listed among France’s top mental health startups by F6S as of April 2025[^f6s], though detailed media coverage remains sparse.

No podcasts or interviews featuring the team were identified in publicly available records. Similarly, conference participations or presentations post-EIC award are not explicitly documented beyond academic collaborations.

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Sources

• European Innovation Council Announcement
• Prof. Lampert’s PhD Collaboration Post
• F6S Mental Health Startups List