1 The EIC Accelerator Project
EIC Accelerator Program: An Overview
The EIC Accelerator program is a flagship initiative under the European Innovation Council (EIC) designed to support innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in Europe, particularly in the DeepTech sector. This program aims to bridge the funding gap that often exists for high-risk, high-potential projects, enabling these companies to bring revolutionary technologies to market.
Funding Structure
The EIC Accelerator provides blended finance, combining grants and equity investments, to promising enterprises. The grant component can reach up to €2.5 million, aimed at financing early-stage innovations, covering aspects such as product development, prototyping, and testing.
In addition, the equity component can offer up to €15 million until 2024 and is set to decrease to €10 million from 2025 onward. This equity funding is particularly significant as it allows companies to scale operations, expand their market reach, and attract further private investment. The structure of blended finance is designed to minimize the financial risk for entrepreneurs while maximizing their growth potential.
Purpose in the European Ecosystem
The purpose of the EIC Accelerator in the European DeepTech and startup ecosystem is to foster innovation and competitiveness. By providing financial support alongside business acceleration services, the program helps companies navigate the complex landscape of technology commercialization. It aims to create a vibrant ecosystem where groundbreaking ideas can flourish, ultimately contributing to economic growth, job creation, and technological advancement across Europe.
Role in Scaling and Private Funding
The EIC Accelerator plays a crucial role in helping companies scale by not only providing funding but also facilitating connections with private sector investors. Through a structured selection process that includes rigorous evaluations and interviews, the EIC Accelerator identifies companies with the highest potential for success. The support extends beyond financial resources; companies also gain access to mentorship, networking opportunities, and strategic guidance. This holistic approach enhances the attractiveness of recipient companies to private investors, thereby increasing their chances of securing additional funding.
E-PEAS: An EIC Accelerator Success Story
Company Overview E-PEAS, based in Belgium, has gained recognition as a leading innovator in the field of energy-autonomous systems. The company focuses on developing solutions that enable edge computing devices to operate independently without the need for traditional power sources.
Project Overview: EPEAS The EPEAS project, submitted as part of the EIC Accelerator funding application, aims to pioneer energy autonomy in edge computing. This project aligns with the growing demand for sustainable and efficient energy solutions in the ever-expanding Internet of Things (IoT) landscape.
Technology Basics and Background E-PEAS specializes in energy harvesting technologies that capture ambient energy from the environment—such as solar, thermal, and mechanical energy—and convert it into usable electrical power. The core technology involves a combination of ultra-low-power electronics and advanced energy management systems that maximize the efficiency of energy harvesting processes.
By utilizing these technologies, E-PEAS aims to create edge computing devices that require minimal maintenance and can function in remote or challenging environments, where traditional power supplies are impractical. The devices are designed to be self-sufficient, reducing operational costs and increasing reliability.
The significance of the EPEAS project lies in its potential to revolutionize how edge computing systems are powered. By enabling these devices to operate autonomously, E-PEAS contributes to a more sustainable and resilient technological infrastructure, with applications spanning various sectors, including smart cities, agriculture, and industrial automation.
Conclusion
The EIC Accelerator program represents a vital resource for innovative companies like E-PEAS, facilitating the transition from concept to market-ready solutions. By providing a combination of grants and equity funding, the program empowers startups to scale their operations and enhance their attractiveness to private investors. The EPEAS project, with its focus on energy autonomy in edge computing, exemplifies the transformative potential of the EIC Accelerator in driving technological advancement and fostering a vibrant European innovation ecosystem.
2 The Funding Rounds
E-PEAS: Financing and Funding Overview Since EIC Accelerator Win
E-PEAS, a Belgium-based innovator in ultra-low-power semiconductor solutions for energy harvesting, has experienced significant funding activity since submitting its successful Step 2 proposal to the EIC Accelerator on June 15, 2022.
Financing Raised & Funding Rounds
E-PEAS has raised substantial capital through several funding rounds:
- Total financing raised: The company has secured approximately $31.59 million over six funding rounds.
- Recent major round: In March 2024, E-PEAS closed a Series B round of €17.5 million (approximately $19 million). This marks one of the largest single infusions to date for the firm.
Timing and Amounts of Key Funding Rounds
| Date | Round | Amount | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 20, 2024 | Series B | ~$19M (€17.5M) | Otium Capital (lead), Nomainvest (new), EIC Fund (new), KBC Focus Fund, The Faktory, Wallonie Entreprendre, Noshaq-Leansquare, Start.Invest |
| Jul 2020 | Series A / Venture Capital Infusion | ~€8M | Partech, Airbus Ventures, SRIW Investments/SRIW Seed Fund/Vives Invest/Leansquare/Nivelinvest/KBC Focus Fund/Noshaq/Start.Invest |
Additional earlier rounds include seed and business plan competitions; however specific amounts for these are not disclosed in public sources.
Investor Information
A mix of new and existing investors have participated:
- Series B Lead Investor: Otium Capital
- New Investors: Nomainvest and the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund
- Existing Investors: KBC Focus Fund; The Faktory; Wallonie Entreprendre; Noshaq-Leansquare; Start.Invest
Company Valuations
Publicly available sources do not provide explicit post-money or pre-money valuations for any round. Valuation data is marked as undisclosed or “$XXM” in financial summaries. However, participation by top-tier institutional investors suggests strong confidence in the company's value proposition.
Exit Events: IPOs or Acquisitions
As of May 2025:
Sources
- e-peas Secures €17.5 Million Funding to accelerate deployment of its Energy Harvesting solutions
- e-peas Secures €17.5 Million Funding - PR Newswire
-e-peas secures €17.5m funding to accelerate deployment
-Belgian fabless semiconductor startup e-peas raises €17.5M
-e-peas Series A (2024) Funding Round Information - Seedtable
-e‐peas Stock Price,Fuding,Vation Revenue & Financials - CB Insights
-Providing energy efficient solutions—Company Milestones—e‐peas official site
3 The Press Releases
E-PEAS: Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Developments (2022-2025) Belgium-based semiconductor company e-peas, an EIC Accelerator winner, has leveraged its 2022 funding to advance ultra-low-power energy harvesting technologies for IoT and industrial applications. While specific details of its June 2022 EIC Accelerator application are not publicly disclosed in the available sources, the company’s trajectory post-2022 highlights key milestones:Technology Advancements
- Energy Harvesting PMICs: e-peas expanded its portfolio with constant voltage power management ICs (PMICs) released in April 2022, enhancing flexibility for intermittent energy harvesting systems.
- Battery-Free Solutions: At CES 2025, e-peas showcased battery-free designs for smart buildings and homes using ambient energy sources like solar and thermal.
Partnerships & Market Expansion
- Global Offices: Maintained offices in Belgium, Switzerland, and the U.S., with a focus on industrial IoT markets.
- Collaborations: Demonstrated LoRaWAN sensors and electronic shelf labeling solutions at CES alongside ecosystem partners.
Awards & Recognition
Sources
e-peas Secures €17.5 Million Funding
e-peas Company Profile
e-peas Energy Harvesting Technologies
e-peas CES 2025 Announcement
4 The Technology Advancements
E-peas’ Post-EIC Accelerator Advancements in Energy Harvesting TechnologySince receiving EIC Accelerator funding in mid-2022, e-peas has accelerated its development of energy-harvesting solutions for IoT and smart devices. Below is a synthesis of their technological advancements, market demonstrations, and strategic developments:
1. Technological Improvements & New Features
- Expanded PMIC Portfolio: In January 2024, e-peas introduced the AEM00920 and AEM10920 PMICs, optimized for ambient-powered remote controls and wireless keyboards. These ICs eliminate battery dependency by efficiently harvesting energy from light or motion.
- Dual-Source Energy Harvesting: At CES 2025 (January 2025), e-peas showcased systems powered by single or dual ambient energy sources (e.g., solar + RF), enabling sustainable operation for CO₂ sensors, presence detectors, and electronic shelf labels.
- Microcontroller Integration: While earlier models like the EDMS105N MCU (ARM Cortex-M0) were highlighted pre-2023, recent collaborations with Silicon Labs (February 2025) simplified implementation of battery-free smart home systems using e-peas’ PMICs.
2. Market Demonstrations & Customer Deployments
- Smart Building Sensors: Partnered with Greatech to launch the Sensoco® Loomair Solar CO₂ sensor (February 2025), combining Epishine’s indoor solar cells with e-peas’ PMICs for maintenance-free building monitoring.
- CES & Embedded World Showcases: Demonstrated battery-free solutions at CES 2025 (wireless keyboards, LoRaWAN sensors) and Embedded World 2025 (March 2025), emphasizing real-world applications in retail automation and occupancy detection.
- Webinar Collaboration: Teamed with Silicon Labs in February 2025 to showcase seamless integration of energy-harvesting ICs into ambient IoT systems during a public webinar.
3. Funding & Strategic Growth
In March 2024, e-peas secured €17.5 million to expand its product lines—including ultra-low-power processing chips—and accelerate deployment of energy-harvesting solutions globally. This funding underscores investor confidence post-EIC Accelerator support.[Patent/Scientific Output]
No explicit mention of new patents or peer-reviewed studies was found post-June 15th EIC cutoff date. However:Limitations on Data Availability:
Publicly disclosed patent filings or clinical trials are not detailed in recent press releases or documents analyzed since June 15th (see sources). Scientific whitepapers are implied through technical collaborations but unlisted explicitly.Sources:
- e-peas Showcases Advanced Energy Harvesting Technologies at CES
- Greatech Launches CO₂ Sensor Featuring e‑peas’ Power Management
- E‑peas Secures €17.5 Million Funding
- Energy Harvesting Innovations at CES
- Pioneering Energy HarvestING FOR iot Sustainability
5 The Partnerships and Customers
E-PEAS Partnerships and Customer Engagements Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Since securing EIC Accelerator funding in June 2022, Belgian energy harvesting leader e-peas has expanded its ecosystem through strategic partnerships and customer collaborations to advance ultra-low-power IoT solutions.Key Partnerships and Collaborations
- Ambient Photonics: Partnered in August 2023 to co-develop solar-powered connected devices using Ambient’s indoor solar cells and e-peas’ power management ICs (PMICs), targeting remote controls, sensors, and electronic shelf labels.
- Exeger: Collaboration announced in December 2022 to integrate Exeger’s Powerfoyle™ solar cells with e-peas’ PMICs for IoT applications requiring light energy harvesting.
- InPlay Inc.: Launched an autonomous BLE Sensor Beacon platform in June 2023 combining InPlay’s NanoBeacon tech with e-peas’ AEM10330 PMIC for maintenance-free IoT devices.
- NGK/Energous: Jointly promoted wireless power systems for industrial IoT at Embedded World 2023, focusing on battery-free asset tracking.
New Customers and Design Wins
Nature of Relationships and Strategic Impact
These partnerships focus on integrating e-peas’ energy-harvesting PMICs with partners' complementary technologies (e.g., solar cells, connectivity modules) to eliminate disposable batteries in IoT devices. By aligning with industry leaders like Ambient Photonics and Exeger, e-peas positions itself as a critical enabler of sustainable electronics across consumer, industrial, and retail sectors.Market Positioning and Technological Advancements
The collaborations enhance e-peas' ability to deliver end-to-end energy harvesting solutions at scale. For example:- Increased Efficiency: Ambient collaboration maximizes indoor light conversion rates for higher device uptime.
- Broader Applications: InPlay partnership extends reach into BLE-based asset tracking and sensor networks.
Sources
e-peas in Partnership With Exeger • Solar Powered Connected Devices from Ambient • InPlay Energy Harvesting BLE Sensor • Electronica 2024 Ecosystem Expansion • Chicony Battery-Free Keyboards
6 The Hiring and Company Growth
E-PEAS Growth and Team Dynamics Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Semiconductor innovator E-PEAS, headquartered in Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium, has demonstrated steady growth since its 2014 founding. While specific hiring data post-2022 EIC Accelerator win isn’t publicly disclosed, the company’s operational scale and strategic positioning suggest targeted team expansion to support its Ambient IoT solutions.Current Headcount and Team Size
E-PEAS employs between 11–50 staff members, with Dealroom.co specifying a range of 11–50 employees as of recent updates[^2^]. The company operates in a specialized B2B semiconductor market, focusing on energy-harvesting PMICs (power management integrated circuits) for IoT devices[^1^][^4^].
Growth Trajectory and Funding
The firm has raised $32.37 million across six funding rounds[^1^], enabling R&D advancements in ultra-low-power microcontrollers and energy harvesters. Post-2022 accelerator funding likely accelerated product development cycles, though exact hiring figures remain unconfirmed[^1^][^3^].
Hiring Focus Areas
While no active job postings are visible on their website, E-PEAS emphasizes technical expertise in energy harvesting, low-power semiconductor design, and IoT system integration[^4^]. Key positions likely include:
- Embedded systems engineers: To refine microcontroller architectures for ambient energy applications.
- Application specialists: To support client adoption across industrial IoT and smart sensor markets.
- R&D leads: To advance patented AEM (Advanced Energy Manager) technologies[^4^].
Strategic Impact of New Hires
Expanding technical teams would allow E-PEAS to:
No major management changes are reported; co-founder Geoffroy Gosset remains CEO with a high approval rating per Owler data[ˆ3ˆ].
Sources Used:
- e-peas Company Information - Seedtable [Funding details]
- Dealroom.co Profile [Employee range]
- Owler Company Overview [CEO status]
- Official Website [Product roadmap]
7 The Media Features and Publications
Overview of E-PEAS
E-PEAS, a Belgian company, is a leading innovator in energy harvesting solutions. It specializes in ultra-low-power Power Management Integrated Circuits (PMICs) designed to enable IoT devices to harvest ambient energy from sources like light, radio frequencies (RF), thermal, and vibration, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for batteries.
Media Features and Publications
E-PEAS has been featured in various publications and media outlets for its innovative solutions in energy harvesting. For instance, its advanced energy harvesting technologies were showcased at CES 2025, highlighting battery-free and eco-friendly designs for smart building and smart home applications. Additionally, Pierre Gelpi, VP Sales EMEA at E-PEAS, spoke on "The Things Podcast" about how energy harvesting PMICs are transforming LoRaWAN devices.
Podcasts and Interviews
One notable appearance by the E-PEAS team was Pierre Gelpi's presentation at "The Things Podcast" during The Things Conference, focusing on the role of energy harvesting PMICs in transforming LoRaWAN devices.
Conference and Fair Visits
E-PEAS participated in CES 2025, where it demonstrated sustainable solutions for in-building presence detectors, carbon dioxide sensors, and other IoT applications. The company also participated in The Things Conference, where they discussed energy harvesting and LoRaWAN technologies.
Involvement in Events
E-PEAS actively contributes to the development of sustainable IoT solutions by participating in events that highlight the importance of energy autonomy in smart homes and buildings. Their involvement in conferences like CES and The Things Conference underscores their commitment to showcasing innovative energy harvesting technologies.
EIC Accelerator Funding
E-PEAS received the EIC Accelerator funding in June 2022. This recognition further validates their mission to revolutionize the industry by shifting towards green renewable energy devices.
Sources
- About us - E-peas
- Providing energy efficient solutions for wireless IoT devices - e-peas
- E-Peas Company Profile | Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Brabant
- e-peas - EU-Startups
- e-peas SA - Wevolver
- e-peas advanced energy harvesting technologies at CES 2025
- Pierre Gelpi of e-peas to Speak at “The Things Podcast” on Energy Harvesting and LoRaWAN
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