1 The EIC Accelerator Project

EIC Accelerator Program Overview

The EIC Accelerator program, part of the European Innovation Council (EIC), is designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, particularly in the deep tech sector, which offers innovative solutions with high potential for market impact. The program provides a blend of grant and equity funding aimed at helping companies develop and scale their innovations, ultimately fostering economic growth and technological advancement within Europe.

Funding Structure

The EIC Accelerator offers substantial financial backing through a blended finance model, which combines grants and equity investments. The grant component can reach up to €2.5 million, providing critical financial support to cover early-stage development, prototyping, and market entry costs.

In addition to grants, the program facilitates equity investments that can amount to €15 million until 2024. From 2025 onward, this equity funding will be capped at €10 million. This strategic funding approach aims to reduce the financial risks associated with innovation while incentivizing private sector investment. By leveraging public funds to attract private capital, the EIC Accelerator plays a pivotal role in creating a sustainable ecosystem for innovation.

Purpose and Impact on the Startup Ecosystem

The primary objective of the EIC Accelerator is to bridge the funding gap that often exists in the early stages of technology commercialization. Many startups face significant challenges in securing the necessary funds to scale their innovations and bring them to market. The EIC Accelerator aims to mitigate these challenges by providing not only financial resources but also mentorship and strategic guidance.

By fostering a supportive environment for startups, the EIC Accelerator enhances the European deep tech landscape, promoting the development of groundbreaking technologies that can address pressing societal challenges. This initiative is crucial for maintaining Europe's competitiveness in the global innovation arena.

Role in Scaling Companies

The EIC Accelerator significantly aids companies in scaling by providing a comprehensive support structure that includes access to networks, expertise, and additional funding opportunities. The program encourages innovation-driven enterprises to refine their business models, validate their technologies, and effectively engage with potential investors.

Through its rigorous selection process, the EIC Accelerator identifies high-potential startups, providing them with the resources needed to navigate the complexities of scaling and commercialization. This support not only enhances the viability of individual companies but also contributes to the overall strength and resilience of the European economy.

Case Study: DELOX - INVESTIGACAO, PROCESSOS E EQUIPAMENTOS CIENTIFICOS, LDA

Company Overview

DELOX, based in Portugal, has been recognized as an EIC Accelerator winner for its innovative project, DeloxAir. The company specializes in scientific research, processes, and equipment, focusing on air bio-decontamination technologies that are compatible with human presence.

Project Overview: DeloxAir

DeloxAir aims to provide continuous air bio-decontamination solutions that function effectively in environments occupied by humans. This project addresses the growing need for advanced air purification systems, particularly in settings such as hospitals, offices, and public spaces where air quality can significantly impact health and safety.

Technology Background

The core technology behind DeloxAir involves advanced bio-decontamination processes that utilize innovative chemical and physical methods to eliminate airborne pathogens while ensuring human safety. This technology is particularly relevant in a post-pandemic world where there is heightened awareness of airborne diseases and the importance of maintaining clean air in shared environments.

The DeloxAir system is designed to operate continuously, ensuring that air remains free from harmful microorganisms without the need for human evacuation. This capability is achieved through carefully calibrated processes that balance efficacy in decontamination with the safety of occupants, marking a significant advancement over traditional air purification systems that often require downtime.

Conclusion

The EIC Accelerator program stands as a vital pillar in the European innovation ecosystem, particularly for deep tech startups like DELOX. By providing substantial financial support and strategic resources, the EIC Accelerator empowers companies to develop and scale their innovative solutions. The success of projects like DeloxAir illustrates the program's potential to foster advancements in technology that address critical health and safety challenges, ultimately contributing to a healthier, more sustainable future.

2 The Funding Rounds

Financing Raised and Funding Rounds

Delox - Investigacao, Processos e Equipamentos Cientificos, LDA, a Portuguese startup specializing in bio-decontamination solutions, secured significant financing through the EIC Accelerator program following its successful Step 2 proposal submission for the November 8, 2023 cutoff. Delox was awarded a total of €4,721,610 in blended finance: €1,893,340 as a grant and €2,828,270 as equity investment via the EIC Fund. This funding round marks one of the largest EU innovation investments for deeptech startups in Portugal during this period.

Timing and Details of Funding Round

• Cut-off Date: November 8th, 2023 (Step 2 proposal submission)
• Results Announced: February/March 2024
• Funding Received:
• Total: €4.72 million
• Grant component: €1.89 million
• Equity component: €2.83 million
• Delox was one of only 42 companies selected out of over a thousand applicants across Europe (success rate ~3.9%), and notably the sole Portuguese recipient in this round.

Investor Information

The primary investor is the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund—a dedicated EU vehicle that provides equity investments to high-potential startups under Horizon Europe’s EIC Accelerator scheme. The EIC Fund typically co-invests with other private investors; however, specific co-investors for Delox’s round have not been disclosed publicly as of May 2025.

Business Acceleration Services are also provided by EIC alongside funding to facilitate introductions to corporates and additional investors on an ongoing basis.

Company Valuation

No public sources provide an explicit post-money or pre-money valuation for Delox resulting from this funding round. However:

• The combined grant plus equity sum (€4.72M), with roughly two-thirds structured as equity investment from the EIC Fund (€2.83M), indicates that external investors assigned substantial value to Delox’s technology platform relative to early-stage innovation benchmarks.
• It is typical within these blended finance rounds that valuations remain confidential unless disclosed later through IPO filings or major venture capital rounds.

Exit Events: IPOs or Acquisitions

There is no evidence or reporting indicating any exit events such as an IPO (Initial Public Offering), buyout/acquisition involving Delox since receiving its EIC Accelerator award at the end of Q1/beginning Q2 2024 up through May 2025.

Delox remains independently operated and continues developing its core product line—primarily focused on large-scale indoor air bio-decontamination technologies—with plans for further expansion into global healthcare markets enabled by this latest tranche of EU innovation funding.

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Sources

• DELOX WINS EIC ACCELERATOR FUNDING AS THE ONLY STARTUP FOR PANDEMIC MANAGEMENT CHALLENGE
• EIC ACCELERATOR SUPPORTS 42 COMPANIES WITH A TOTAL OF €285 MILLION
• Unveiling the Latest EIC Accelerator Results: A Comprehensive Analysis – November 8th Cut-Off
• DELOX was selected by the EIC Accelerator Funding Program!
• EIC Accelerator final 2023 cut-off funds companies with up to €285 million

3 The Press Releases

Delox Innovation Updates Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Delox, a Portuguese scientific research and equipment company awarded EIC Accelerator funding in November 2023, specializes in advanced scientific processes and instrumentation. While specific press releases or blog posts from delox.pt are not publicly accessible via the provided search results, typical post-funding developments for EIC winners include:

• Technology Advancements: EIC funding often supports scaling proprietary technologies—potentially including Delox’s equipment for specialized scientific processes—though no technical specifications or patents were disclosed in available data[^search].
• Partnerships: Collaborative ventures with academic institutions or industrial partners are common post-award but remain unconfirmed here[^search].
• Team Expansion: Hiring specialized talent or leadership updates may occur but lack direct documentation[^search].

Social Media Presence & Outreach: No Delox-specific social media press releases or announcements were identified. General best practices for such communications (e.g., multimedia-rich updates) align with industry trends but remain speculative without direct evidence[^prowly][^notified].

Sources:

• PAX Technology Press Room (unrelated to Delox; illustrative of corporate PR structure)
• Social Media Press Release Guide (Prowly)
• Press Release Examples (Notified Blog)

(Note: Direct references to delox.pt content could not be verified due to the absence of indexed data from the domain in provided search results.)

4 The Technology Advancements

Delox’s Post-EIC Accelerator Progress: Capabilities, Advancements, and Market Traction

Current Capabilities

Delox specializes in large-scale indoor air bio-decontamination using hydrogen peroxide-based technology. Their flagship product, Delox Air, leverages a proprietary solid formulation of hydrogen peroxide (DeloxHP) to enable continuous decontamination compatible with human presence. The system targets healthcare facilities, laboratories, and public spaces to reduce pathogen transmission during pandemics while allowing normal social interaction.

Post-Funding Advancements

Since securing €4.7 million in blended finance (€1.9M grant + €2.8M equity) from the EIC Accelerator in November 2023, Delox has focused on:

• Product Development: Scaling their Delox Air module, designed for real-time airborne pathogen neutralization in occupied spaces.
• Market Expansion: Preparing global commercialization of technology for hospitals and high-risk environments.
• Ecosystem Collaboration: Leveraging EIC Business Acceleration Services to refine go-to-market strategies with support from consultants like Evolution Europe.

Technology Improvements & New Features

While specific technical upgrades remain undisclosed publicly, the company emphasizes:

• Human-Compatible Operation: Delox Air’s ability to function alongside occupants distinguishes it from traditional hazardous or space-limited systems.
• Challenge-Driven Innovation: The EIC funding accelerated development tailored to pandemic management needs under its "Aerosol and Surface Decontamination" challenge scope.

Market Demonstration & Pilots

No explicit customer pilots or clinical trials are detailed in available sources. However:

• The EIC selection validates scalability for EU-wide deployment scenarios[^. ^6] [^. ^9] [^. ^10] .
• Previous testimonials highlight successful lab-scale applications (e.g., repurposing contaminated CO₂ incubators)[^1], suggesting groundwork for industrial trials post-funding.

IP & Scientific Outputs Recent patents or publications are not explicitly cited; however:

• Core IP likely resides in their proprietary hydrogen peroxide formulation (DeloxHP) and modular device design[^1] [^. ^7] .
• Academic roots trace back to the University of Lisbon’s Faculty of Sciences, indicating ongoing R&D partnerships though none recently published externally since funding approval[3][^7].

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Sources
-DELOX IS TURNING SCIENCE INTO BUSINESS
-EIC ACCELERATOR SUPPORTS 42 COMPANIES WITH A TOTAL OF €285 MILLION
-Innovation Interview: Delox – Advancing bio-decontamination solutions
-DELOX was selected by the EIC Accelerator Funding Program!

5 The Partnerships and Customers

Delox - Investigacao, Processos e Equipamentos Cientificos, LDA: Partnership and Growth Post EIC Accelerator Funding

Company Overview: Delox, a Portuguese startup based on research from the University of Lisbon, focuses on innovative bio-decontamination technologies. It was selected for the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator funding in November 2023, specifically under the "Aerosol and Surface Decontamination for Pandemic Management" challenge.

Partnerships and Customers: Delox has been associated with several key partners and received significant investments. Notably, it has received funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) and investments led by Bionova Capital. While specific customer names are not detailed in the available information, Delox's technology, such as the Delox AIR module, is designed for widespread use across industries like health, pharma, and biodefense.

New Partnerships: There is no specific mention of new partners since the EIC funding. However, Delox's involvement with the EIC Accelerator likely connects it with a network of industry leaders and investors through the program's business acceleration services.

New Customers: While specific new customers are not mentioned, Delox's expansion plans include launching its technology globally, which could lead to new customers across multiple sectors.

Nature of New Relationships: Delox's participation in the EIC Accelerator and other funding initiatives positions it for strategic partnerships aimed at scaling its technology. These relationships are focused on advancing bio-decontamination solutions and expanding market reach.

Impact on Market Positioning: The EIC funding and associated partnerships will help Delox strengthen its market presence by further developing and deploying its bio-decontamination solutions. This positions Delox as a leader in innovative technologies for pandemic management and indoor air quality improvement.

Technology Advancements and Scaling: The funding received from the EIC Accelerator will enable Delox to enhance its technology, particularly the Delox AIR module, and scale its operations globally. This includes refining its business model and go-to-market strategy, supported by organizations like Evolution Europe. The partnerships and funding will be crucial in advancing Delox's technology, making it more accessible across industries and facilitating its entry into new markets, such as North America.

Sources:

• Delox Wins EIC Accelerator Funding
• EIC ACCELERATOR SUPPORTS 42 COMPANIES WITH A TOTAL OF €285 MILLION
• DELOX WAS SELECTED BY THE EIC ACCELERATOR FUNDING PROGRAM
• Innovation Interview: Delox
• ESA BIC Portugal start-ups raised € 25 Mln in 2022

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

Delox's Team Growth and Hiring Post-EIC Accelerator Funding As a 2023 EIC Accelerator winner, Delox (INVESTIGACAO, PROCESSOS E EQUIPAMENTOS CIENTIFICOS, LDA) specializes in bio-decontamination technology, particularly its compact Delox Box system for enclosures up to 2 m³ using hydrogen peroxide vapor. While specific headcount figures are unavailable from public sources, the company’s testimonials highlight collaborations with researchers and professionals (e.g., Skip Norwood and Helena Soares), suggesting a lean but expert-driven operational model.

No explicit hiring campaigns or recent job postings are publicly listed. However, the EIC funding likely supports scaling efforts—potentially requiring expanded teams in R&D, manufacturing, or customer support to meet demand for its portable bio-decontamination solutions. Key positions critical to Delox’s growth would include:

• Technical engineers for product optimization.
• Business development specialists to expand global reach ("everyone, everywhere" mission).
• Regulatory/compliance experts for international certifications.

New team members would accelerate production scalability and reinforce Delox’s market differentiation against traditional bulkier systems. The lack of visible management changes indicates stability in leadership since the award.

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Sources

Delox - Bio-decontamination

7 The Media Features and Publications

Media Features and Public Recognition of DELOX Post-EIC Accelerator Funding DELOX - INVESTIGACAO, PROCESSOS E EQUIPAMENTOS CIENTIFICOS, LDA has gained significant visibility since securing €4.7 million in blended funding (€1.9M grant + €2.8M equity) from the November 2023 EIC Accelerator cut-off. As the sole Portuguese winner among 42 selected companies, its bio-decontamination technology Delox Air—a human-safe hydrogen peroxide-based solution for airborne pathogen elimination—has been highlighted across industry and academic platforms.

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Publications Featuring DELOX

• Tec Labs News: Detailed the company’s selection by the EIC Accelerator, emphasizing its roots as a spin-off from Ciências ULisboa and its mission to enable pandemic-resilient social interaction.
• ANI (Agência Nacional de Inovação): Reported DELOX’s funding breakdown and described its focus on large-scale indoor air bio-decontamination for hospitals, schools, and public spaces.
• Evolution Europe: Published an interview with co-founder Fadhil Musa discussing Delox Air’s development journey, business strategy refinements during the EIC application process, and Portugal’s growing reputation in deep-tech innovation.

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Podcasts and Interviews

While no podcasts were identified in available sources, Fadhil Musa participated in a detailed written interview with Evolution Europe, covering:

• Origins: Seven years of research at the University of Lisbon preceding commercialization.
• Technology Differentiation: Delox Air’s compatibility with human presence during decontamination.
• EIC Collaboration: Evolution Europe’s role in refining DELOX’s business model and proposal strategy.

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Conference Participation & Event Involvement

Though specific conferences or fairs are not listed post-funding:

ScienceIN2Business Program (2017): Early-stage participation as a Tec Labs accelerator graduate laid groundwork for later success.

Recent activities likely include pitches or demonstrations linked to scaling Delox Air globally under EIC-funded initiatives.

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Sources Used: All citations derive from provided search results. No external links were accessed.

``` Sources: • Unveiling the Latest EIC Accelerator Results ```