1 The EIC Accelerator Project

EIC Accelerator Program: Overview and Funding Structure

The EIC Accelerator program, part of the European Innovation Council (EIC), is designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in Europe, particularly those engaged in deep tech and high-risk innovation projects. The program aims to bridge the funding gap faced by innovative companies by providing substantial financial resources to accelerate the development of breakthrough technologies.

The EIC Accelerator offers two primary forms of funding: grants and equity investments. The grant component can reach up to €2.5 million, which is intended to cover development costs, including product design, prototyping, and testing. In addition, the program offers equity financing, which can provide up to €15 million until 2024 and up to €10 million from 2025 onwards. This equity investment is designed to help companies scale rapidly and attract additional funding from private investors, thus facilitating their growth and market entry.

Purpose of the EIC Accelerator

The EIC Accelerator plays a pivotal role in the European deep tech and startup ecosystem. By providing accessible funding and support, it encourages innovation among SMEs and startups that have the potential to create high-impact solutions. This initiative not only fosters technological advancement but also enhances the competitiveness of European companies on a global scale. The program is instrumental in addressing the challenges of scaling operations and acquiring sufficient private sector funding, which are often significant hurdles for innovative firms.

Company Spotlight: DEEP RENDER LTD and Project DeepVid

DEEP RENDER LTD, a UK-based company, emerged as a winner of the EIC Accelerator, securing funding for their innovative project titled DeepVid. The project focuses on the development, demonstration, and validation of AI-based video compression technologies that align with the human visual system. This initiative reflects a significant advancement in video technology, particularly in improving compression efficiency while maintaining high visual quality.

Project DeepVid: Technology Overview

The technology underlying DeepVid is rooted in artificial intelligence and machine learning, specifically designed to optimize video compression. Traditional video compression methods often rely on algorithms that do not account for human perception, which can lead to inefficient data usage and loss of visual quality. In contrast, DeepVid aims to develop a compression technique that mimics the human visual system, thereby enhancing the efficiency of video data transmission and storage.

The core innovation of DeepVid lies in its ability to analyze and understand how humans perceive visual information. By leveraging AI algorithms, the project seeks to identify and prioritize important visual elements within a video frame, allowing for more efficient encoding of visual data. This approach not only reduces the amount of data required for high-quality video playback but also enhances streaming experiences, making it particularly valuable in sectors such as entertainment, virtual reality, and telecommunications.

Impact and Future Prospects

The implications of DeepVid's technology extend beyond mere compression benefits. The ability to deliver high-quality video content with reduced bandwidth requirements could revolutionize how media is consumed, especially in an era where streaming services dominate. Additionally, this innovation could lead to lower costs for service providers and improved accessibility for users with limited internet capabilities.

By securing EIC Accelerator funding, DEEP RENDER LTD is positioned to validate and demonstrate the efficacy of their technology, paving the way for market adoption and further investment opportunities. This case exemplifies the broader goals of the EIC Accelerator program, showcasing how targeted funding can drive technological advancements and contribute to the growth of the European digital economy.

In summary, the EIC Accelerator program serves as a critical catalyst for innovation in the European startup ecosystem, providing essential funding and support for pioneering projects like DEEP RENDER LTD's DeepVid, which seeks to redefine video compression through AI technologies.

2 The Funding Rounds

Deep Render Ltd: Funding, Investors, Valuation, and Exit Events Since EIC Accelerator Award

Financing Raised and Funding Rounds

Since submitting its successful EIC Accelerator proposal on October 5, 2022, Deep Render Ltd—a London-based AI startup specializing in next-generation media compression—has raised significant funding through a combination of equity investment and non-dilutive grants.

• In March 2023, Deep Render announced it had secured $9 million in new funding. This comprised:
• A $6.3 million Series A round led by IP Group and Pentech Ventures.
• A $2.7 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC), awarded as part of the highly competitive EIC Accelerator programme.
• This brought the company's total financing to approximately $15 million at that time.

Timing and Amounts of Funding Rounds

Date	Type	Amount (USD)	Details / Lead Investors
March 2023	Series A	$6.3M	Led by IP Group & Pentech Ventures
March 2023	Grant	$2.7M (€2.5M)	European Innovation Council (EIC)

The Series A round was publicly disclosed in late March/early April of 2023. The grant from the EIC was awarded concurrently with this equity round as part of blended finance for scaling deep tech innovation.

Investor Information

The following investors participated in Deep Render’s most recent funding:

• IP Group: Lead investor for the Series A round.
• Pentech Ventures: Co-lead investor for the Series A round.
• European Innovation Council: Provided a €2.5M (~$2.7M) non-dilutive grant through its prestigious EIC Accelerator program.

These investors back Deep Render's mission to commercialize AI-driven image and video compression technology.

Company Valuation

Deep Render’s post-Series A valuation has been reported at approximately $30 million according to information provided to TechCrunch by an informed source familiar with the deal structure. This valuation reflects strong momentum despite broader market turbulence affecting many tech startups during this period.

Exit Events: IPOs or Acquisitions

As of May 2025, there is no public record or report indicating that Deep Render Ltd has undergone any exit events such as an initial public offering (IPO), acquisition, buyout, or merger since receiving their EIC Accelerator award up through their last disclosed fundraising event in early/mid-2023.

Summary Table: Key Facts Since October 2022

Event	Date	Amount Raised	Notable Investors
Series A	Mar–Apr 2023	$6.3 million	IP Group; Pentech Ventures
Grant	Mar–Apr 2023	€2.5m ($2.7m USD)	European Innovation Council (EIC)
Total Disclosed	As of Apr '23	~$15 million	-
Company Valuation	Mar–Apr '23	~$30 million	-

No exit events have occurred since receiving these funds; company remains private.

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Sources:

• Deep Render Raises $9 Million in Funding
• Deep Render secures £7.3 million Series A investment led by IP ...
• Deep Render lands $9M for its AI-powered video compression tech
• EIC Media Review - April ‘23 – EU Commission

3 The Press Releases

Deep Render Ltd: AI Video Compression Breakthroughs Post-EIC Accelerator Funding London-based Deep Render Ltd, a 2022 EIC Accelerator winner, has emerged as a leader in AI-driven media compression technology. While specific details about their October 2022 EIC Accelerator application are not publicly disclosed in available materials, the company’s trajectory since then highlights significant advancements:

Technology and Funding Milestones

• $9 Million Series A and Grant: In March 2023, Deep Render secured $6.3 million in Series A funding led by IP Group and Pentech Ventures, coupled with a $2.7 million grant from the European Innovation Council.
• Compression Innovation: Their proprietary AI algorithm reduces video file sizes by up to 80% compared to traditional codecs like H.265/HEVC while maintaining visual quality. This software-only solution leverages existing AI hardware (e.g., Apple’s Neural Engine) for immediate scalability.

Strategic Growth

• Team Expansion: The company aims to triple its workforce as it scales operations globally. Co-founders Arsalan Zafar (aerospace engineering expert) and Christian Besenbruch (CEO with fintech experience) lead its technical and operational strategy.
• Market Positioning: Targeting the bandwidth crisis driven by video-on-demand growth, Deep Render’s technology addresses the fact that video constitutes over 90% of internet traffic.

While no press releases from deeprender.ai itself are publicly indexed in available sources, third-party reports confirm its active participation in EU deep-tech ecosystems post-EIC funding.

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Sources

• Deep Render secures £7.3 million Series A investment led by IP Group
• Deep Render Jobs and Careers - Company Overview

4 The Technology Advancements

Deep Render Ltd: Capabilities and Advancements

Deep Render Ltd, a UK-based startup, has been at the forefront of developing revolutionary AI-powered video compression technology. Founded in 2018, the company has made significant strides in addressing the digital media industry's challenges related to content delivery and storage. Since receiving funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator in October 2022, Deep Render has continued to innovate and expand its capabilities.

Current Capabilities

Deep Render's primary focus is on creating the next generation of image and video compression technology using AI. Their solutions are designed to increase global bandwidth and reduce data and bandwidth bottlenecks, primarily serving internet service providers and content owners. The company's AI-based compression technology allows for video sizes to be significantly reduced without sacrificing streaming quality, making it a game-changer in the digital media landscape.

Advancements and Funding

In March 2023, Deep Render secured a $9 million investment, including a $6.3 million Series A round led by IP Group and Pentech Ventures, along with a $2.7 million grant from the European Innovation Council. This funding is crucial for expanding the team, accelerating commercial engagement, and further developing their technology for a broader market impact.

Technology Improvements and New Features

Deep Render's AI-Codec relies on neural networks for compression, marking a departure from traditional hardware-accelerated methods. This software-based approach makes the technology instantly deployable and scalable, leveraging existing AI hardware in millions of devices. The company estimates that video streaming services could save up to $1.6 billion annually by adopting their technology, or alternatively, offer users higher video quality without additional costs.

Market Demonstration

While specific customer or pilot deployments are not detailed in recent publications, Deep Render's technology has been recognized for its potential to transform the digital media industry. The company plans to scale up operations and expand into the U.S. market, indicating a focus on real-world applications and partnerships.

Patents and Scientific Studies

There is no recent information available on new patents filed or scientific studies published by Deep Render since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding. However, their commitment to pioneering AI-based compression technology positions them as a leader in the field of video compression.

Conclusion

Deep Render Ltd has made substantial progress in developing and enhancing its AI-powered video compression technology. With significant funding and a focus on scalability and market expansion, the company is poised to make a significant impact on the digital media industry by solving bandwidth constraints and improving content delivery.

Sources

• Deep Render
• Deep Render - Products, Competitors, Financials, Employees
• Deep Render secures £7.3 million Series A investment
• London-based Deep Render bags €8.48 million
• Deep Render lands $9M for its AI-powered video compression tech
• Deep Render Raises $9 Million in Funding

5 The Partnerships and Customers

Deep Render Ltd, a UK-based startup, has been making significant strides in the field of video compression technology. Since receiving funding from the European Innovation Council Accelerator in October 2022, Deep Render has continued to advance its innovative AI-powered video compression solutions.

Partnerships and Customers

Deep Render has associated itself with several notable entities and customers. The company has received support from investors such as IP Group and Pentech Ventures, who led a Series A funding round. Additionally, Deep Render has been working with big tech companies, including a global metaverse leader and a professional software giant, to address their data and bandwidth challenges.

New Partners and Customers

While specific names of new partners or customers are not detailed, Deep Render has been expanding its commercial engagements and partnerships with major tech companies. These collaborations involve using Deep Render's AI-based compression technology to solve the growing data and bandwidth crisis on the web.

Nature of New Relationships and Purpose

The new relationships are focused on leveraging Deep Render's AI-driven video compression to enhance the efficiency and quality of video delivery. This technology allows for significantly reduced file sizes without compromising video quality, which can lead to substantial cost savings for content delivery networks (CDNs) and streaming services.

Market Positioning

Deep Render's partnerships and innovations position the company as a leader in the video compression industry. By offering a scalable, software-based solution that can utilize existing AI hardware, Deep Render's technology is poised to revolutionize how video content is distributed and consumed online.

Technology Advancements and Scaling

The relationships and funding will help Deep Render in several ways:

• Technology Advancements: Deep Render's AI-powered codec can make videos up to five times smaller compared to traditional compression standards. This breakthrough technology can lead to improved video quality at no additional cost or reduce costs for content delivery by up to 80%.
• Scaling: The funding will be used to double Deep Render's team, accelerate commercial engagement, support US expansion, and further roll out its technology. This expansion strategy aims to capitalize on growing demand for high-quality video content.

Conclusion

Deep Render Ltd is leveraging its cutting-edge AI-powered video compression technology and strategic partnerships to disrupt the traditional video compression market. By doing so, it is well-positioned to address the internet's data and bandwidth crisis while scaling its operations globally.

Sources:

• Deep Render lands $9M for its AI-powered video compression tech
• Deep Render secures £7.3 million Series A investment led by IP Group and Pentech Ventures
• London-based Deep Render bags €8.48 million to solve the internet's data and bandwidth crisis
• Deep Render Raises $9 Million in Funding

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

Deep Render's Team Growth and Hiring Strategy Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Deep Render Ltd, a London-based AI compression technology firm, has demonstrated significant team expansion since securing EIC Accelerator funding in late 2022. As of March 2023, the company had 25 employees, with plans to nearly double its workforce to 45 members by the end of 2023 and reach 60 employees within 14 months (by mid-2024). While recent headcount figures beyond 2023 are not explicitly stated, job postings or announcements since late 2024 have not been disclosed in available data.

The $9 million Series A round (March 2023), combined with a $2.7 million EIC grant, fueled this growth to accelerate R&D and U.S. market expansion. Key positions likely included machine learning engineers, compression specialists, and commercial staff to support productization efforts.

Co-founders Chri Besenbruch (CEO) and Arsalan Zafar (CTO) remain central to leadership, with no reported management changes. New hires aim to scale Deep Render’s patented AI codec technology, which claims up to 80% improved compression efficiency, positioning it for mass adoption in video-heavy industries like streaming and telecommunications.

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Sources

• TechCrunch: Deep Render lands $9M for its AI-powered video compression tech
• UK Tech News: Deep Render secures £7.3 million Series A investment

Note on Data Recency

The latest available financial filing (October 2024) indicates active operations but does not specify current hiring status or team size beyond earlier projections. For up-to-date roles, refer directly to Deep Render’s careers page or monitoring platforms like LinkedIn.

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Additional references used: Team - DeepRender
CB Insights: Deep Render Profile

7 The Media Features and Publications

Media & Publications Deep Render has been featured in prominent tech publications focusing on its AI-driven compression technology. Tech.eu highlighted their $9 million funding round in March 2023, emphasizing the company’s mission to address global bandwidth limitations. EU-Startups.com detailed how their video compression algorithm tackles the internet’s “ticking time bomb” of data overload, while UKTech.News underscored partnerships with major tech firms and recognition in AI/metaverse sectors. The company was also included among TechCrunch Disrupt’s Startup Battlefield 200 and profiled by Big Innovation Centre for its collaboration with Innovate UK grants.

Podcasts & Interviews
Co-founder and CTO Arsalan Zafar discussed Deep Render’s AI-based compression technology in a March 2024 interview, outlining applications across streaming, cloud gaming, and VR. A July 2024 YouTube podcast featured Ed Bray from Deep Render explaining how AI reshapes data efficiency in digital content delivery.

Conferences & Events
Deep Render actively participates in industry events to showcase its advancements. While specific presentations at DEEP Conference (October 2024) are not explicitly listed, the event serves as a hub for cutting-edge tech discussions relevant to their field. The company has also been part of Demo Day events like TheStage UK and international forums focused on AI innovation.

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Sources

• Deep Render secures £7.3 million Series A investment
• London-based Deep Render bags €8.48 million
• Startup combatting internet's 'ticking time bomb' scoops £7.3m
• Big Innovation Centre article on Deep Render
• Arsalan Zafar interview (March 2024)

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-Tech.eu: $9M Funding Announcement
-EU Startups Coverage
-UKTech News Article (corrected link formatting; original URL had spacing issues)
-Big Innovation Centre Feature
-Arsalan Zafar Interview (YouTube)
-Ed Bray Podcast Appearance (YouTube)

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