1 The EIC Accelerator Project

EIC Accelerator Program Overview

The EIC Accelerator program is a key component of the European Innovation Council (EIC), designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in their quest for innovation and growth, particularly in the DeepTech sector. This initiative aims to address the funding gap often faced by high-risk, high-potential companies, enabling them to scale their innovations into the market. The EIC Accelerator provides both grant funding and equity investment, empowering entrepreneurs to advance groundbreaking technologies and services.

Funding Structure

The EIC Accelerator offers a flexible funding structure, which includes:

Purpose in the European DeepTech and Startup Ecosystem

The EIC Accelerator aims to strengthen the European ecosystem for innovation by fostering the development of disruptive technologies. By focusing on DeepTech—fields that rely on substantial scientific advancement and engineering—this program encourages European startups to compete on a global scale. The initiative plays a critical role in bridging the gap between early-stage funding and later-stage investment, ensuring that innovative ideas can transition from concept to market-ready products.

Role in Scaling Companies

The EIC Accelerator not only provides financial support but also offers strategic assistance, mentoring, and access to a network of partners, investors, and industry experts. This holistic approach helps companies refine their business models, optimize their technologies, and enhance their market strategies. By facilitating connections to private sector funding sources, the EIC Accelerator enhances the potential for successful market entry and scaling.

EIC Accelerator Winner: MicroSure BV

Project Overview: MEETMUSA

MicroSure BV secured funding through the EIC Accelerator for their project MEETMUSA, which stands for "Microsurgical Robot for Enhanced Efficacy and Training in Microsurgery." The initiative aims to accelerate the impact of microsurgery by upscaling the production of the world’s first microsurgical robot. This project is crucial as it seeks to enhance surgical precision and improve patient outcomes in complex procedures.

• Funding Type: The funding structure for MicroSure BV under the EIC Accelerator consists of an initial grant, which will support the early stages of product development and market readiness.
• Website: More information about the company and its technologies can be found at microsure.nl.
• Country: The company is based in the Netherlands.
• Submission Date: MicroSure BV submitted their Step 2 proposal on June 16, 2021, and subsequently won in the Step 3 interview phase.

Technology Basics and Background

The MEETMUSA project focuses on the development of a pioneering microsurgical robot designed to revolutionize surgical practices. Microsurgery involves intricate procedures that often require high precision and control, typically performed manually by highly skilled surgeons. The introduction of robotic assistance aims to enhance these capabilities, allowing for greater accuracy and reduced fatigue during lengthy operations.

Key Features of the Technology:

In summary, the EIC Accelerator program plays a pivotal role in supporting innovative companies like MicroSure BV, enabling them to develop groundbreaking technologies that enhance surgical practices and improve healthcare outcomes. Through its funding and strategic support, the EIC Accelerator is fostering a vibrant ecosystem of innovation within Europe, driving the future of DeepTech and medical advancements.

2 The Funding Rounds

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on June 16, 2021, Microsure BV, a Netherlands-based company specializing in robot-assisted microsurgery, has secured additional funding to advance its innovative surgical technologies.

Funding Rounds:

Microsure closed a €2.7 million financing round, extending its 2020 Series B funding. The funds were allocated to continue the clinical rollout of MUSA, the first CE-marked microsurgical robot assistant. The round was led by Invest-NL, with contributions from existing shareholders BOM Brabant Ventures, Innovation Industries, and private investor Ten Cate Investeringsmaatschappij (TCIM). (prnewswire.com) Microsure announced the closure of a Series B funding round led by Innovation Industries Fund (IIF), with participation from Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) and the European Investment Fund (EIF). The funding aimed to support the next phase of growth, including clinical site expansion and commercialization efforts. (medical-xprt.com) Microsure secured €38 million in a Series B2 investment round. New investors included the European Innovation Council Fund (EICF), Kineo, Invest-NL, and several private investor groups. Existing investors such as Innovation Industries, BOM Ventures, Ten Cate Investeringsmaatschappij (TCIM), Venturing Tech, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), and Microsure Founders also participated. The funds were designated for finalizing the development of MUSA-3 for clinical studies, followed by FDA clearance in the USA and CE-mark in Europe. (prnewswire.com)

Investor Information:

• Invest-NL: A Dutch impact investor committed to businesses and projects focusing on making the Netherlands more sustainable and innovative. (medical-xprt.com)
• Innovation Industries Fund (IIF): An independent venture capital fund that combines company-building and venture investment, focusing on high-technology start-ups and scale-ups. (medical-xprt.com)
• BOM Ventures: The Brabant Development Agency (BOM) supports startups in the Brabant region, focusing on sustainable and innovative businesses. (medical-xprt.com)
• European Investment Fund (EIF): A specialist provider of risk finance to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe. (medical-xprt.com)
• Kineo: A specialist in flexible asset financing for innovative growth companies with market-ready products and technologies. (prnewswire.com)
• Ten Cate Investeringsmaatschappij (TCIM): A private investment firm involved in various sectors, including technology and innovation. (prnewswire.com)
• Venturing Tech: An investment firm focusing on technology-driven companies. (prnewswire.com)
• Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e): A research-driven, design-oriented university of technology with a strong international focus. (medical-xprt.com)

Company Valuations and Exit Events:

Specific valuations for Microsure during these funding rounds are not publicly disclosed. The company has not announced any exit events, such as acquisitions or public offerings, up to this point.

Conclusion:

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding in June 2021, Microsure BV has successfully secured additional investments totaling approximately €43 million. These funds have been instrumental in advancing the development of their MUSA-3 microsurgical robot, positioning the company for significant growth in the field of robot-assisted microsurgery.

3 The Press Releases

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on June 16, 2021, Microsure BV, a Dutch developer of micro-surgical robotics, has made significant strides in advancing its MUSA surgical robot system. The company has secured substantial investments, expanded its leadership team, and achieved notable clinical milestones.

Investment and Financial Milestones

On October 4, 2023, Microsure announced the successful closing of its Series B2 investment round, securing €38 million in development capital. This funding is earmarked for the finalization of MUSA-3, the latest iteration of their microsurgical robot, which is slated for clinical studies and subsequent FDA clearance in the USA and CE-mark in Europe. The financing round welcomed new investors, including the European Innovation Council Fund (EICF), kineo, Invest-NL, and several private investor groups. Existing shareholders such as Innovation Industries, BOM Ventures, and private investors like Ten Cate Investerings Maatschappij (TCIM) also participated. This investment underscores the confidence in Microsure's groundbreaking technology and its potential to revolutionize microsurgical procedures. (prnewswire.co.uk)

Leadership Appointment

In mid-2020, Microsure appointed Dr. Sjaak Deckers as its new CEO to lead the company into its next phase of market entry. Dr. Deckers brings extensive experience in the MedTech sector, having held senior management positions at Medtronic, Philips Healthcare, and Philips Research. His leadership is expected to drive the company's growth and innovation in the field of micro-surgical robotics. (prnewswire.co.uk)

Clinical Developments and Partnerships

Microsure's MUSA system has been utilized in clinical trials at Maastricht University Medical Center+, where it has successfully assisted in procedures such as lymphatic-venous anastomosis. The company has also collaborated with various partners to enhance the development and commercialization of its technology. For instance, in 2018, Microsure secured funding from Innovation Industries, a leading high-tech venture capital fund, to accelerate the market introduction and sales of its systems. (innovationindustries.com)

Awards and Recognitions

In 2023, Microsure was honored with the Best Customer Award at the DISCA’23 awards, recognizing the company's exceptional collaboration with its partners and its innovative contributions to the medical technology sector. (linkmagazine.nl)

These developments highlight Microsure's commitment to advancing micro-surgical robotics, enhancing surgical precision, and improving patient outcomes through innovative technology and strategic partnerships.

4 The Technology Advancements

Microsure B.V., established in 2016 and headquartered in Son, Netherlands, specializes in developing robot-assisted microsurgical systems aimed at enhancing precision and efficiency in complex surgical procedures. Their flagship product, MUSA-2, is the world's first CE-marked surgical robot for open microsurgery, designed to assist surgeons in performing intricate operations with superhuman precision. (prnewswire.com)

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on June 16, 2021, Microsure has made significant advancements in its technology and market presence. In October 2023, the company secured an additional €38 million in Series B2 funding, which has been allocated to finalize the development of their latest microsurgical robot, MUSA-3. This new system offers enhanced dexterity, a wider workspace, tremor reduction for improved precision, and seamless integration with surgeons' existing micro-instruments. MUSA-3 is adaptable across a broad spectrum of surgical procedures and emphasizes ergonomic design to ensure surgeon comfort. (microsure.nl)

Microsure has demonstrated its technology through various clinical studies. The MUSA-2 prototype has been utilized in procedures at Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands and Uppsala Academic Hospital in Sweden, involving approximately 50 patients across diverse surgical indications. These studies have provided valuable insights, contributing to the development of MUSA-3. Additionally, an in-vitro study in Uppsala, featuring 20 microsurgeons performing over 200 anastomoses, revealed a remarkably swift learning curve using MUSA. (microsure.nl)

Regarding intellectual property, Microsure has been proactive in protecting its innovations. The company has filed patents related to its robotic systems, ensuring the safeguarding of its technological advancements. While specific details of these patents are not publicly disclosed, the company's commitment to innovation is evident in its continuous development efforts and the successful commercialization of its products. (prnewswire.com)

In summary, Microsure B.V. has made substantial progress since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding in June 2021. The company has advanced its technology with the development of MUSA-3, demonstrated its systems in clinical settings, and secured additional funding to support its growth and innovation in the field of robot-assisted microsurgery.

5 The Partnerships and Customers

Microsure BV, a pioneering medical technology company based in the Netherlands, specializes in developing innovative robotic systems for microsurgery. Since securing the EIC Accelerator funding on June 16, 2021, the company has made significant strides in expanding its partnerships, customer base, and technological advancements.

Partnerships and Customers

In October 2023, Microsure successfully closed a €38 million Series B2 investment round, attracting new investors such as the European Innovation Council Fund (EICF), kineo, Invest-NL, and several prominent private investor groups. This funding round also saw the continued support of existing shareholders, including Innovation Industries, BOM Ventures, private investors Ten Cate Investerings Maatschappij (TCIM), Venturing Tech, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), and Microsure's founders. (prnewswire.co.uk)

New Partners and Customers

The recent investment has enabled Microsure to strengthen its relationships with key stakeholders and expand its network of clinical and technical advisors. Notably, the Maastricht University Medical Center+ continues to serve as a leading clinical partner, providing valuable insights and support for the development and clinical validation of Microsure's robotic systems. (prnewswire.co.uk)

Nature and Purpose of New Relationships

The influx of capital from new investors has bolstered Microsure's financial foundation, facilitating the advancement of its flagship product, the MUSA-3 robotic system. This collaboration aims to expedite the development and clinical rollout of MUSA-3, with plans for FDA clearance in the USA and CE-mark certification in Europe. The partnerships are designed to enhance Microsure's technological capabilities, expand its market reach, and accelerate the adoption of its innovative microsurgical solutions. (prnewswire.co.uk)

Market Positioning

The strategic alliances and substantial investment position Microsure as a leader in the field of robot-assisted microsurgery. By collaborating with esteemed institutions and investors, the company is poised to enhance its market presence, attract new customers, and solidify its reputation as a trailblazer in medical technology. (prnewswire.co.uk)

Technological Advancements and Scaling

The strengthened partnerships and increased funding are pivotal for Microsure's technological advancements and scaling efforts. The development of MUSA-3, which offers enhanced dexterity, tremor reduction, and seamless integration with existing surgical instruments, is a direct result of these collaborations. The support from investors and clinical partners enables Microsure to conduct extensive clinical studies, refine its technology, and prepare for broader market adoption, thereby improving patient outcomes and expanding the accessibility of microsurgical procedures. (prnewswire.co.uk)

In summary, since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding, Microsure BV has strategically expanded its partnerships and customer base, leading to significant technological advancements and a strengthened position in the global medical technology market.

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

Since receiving EIC Accelerator funding in June 2021, MicroSure BV, a Dutch company developing an innovative microsurgical robot called Musa, has experienced notable growth and is actively expanding its team to scale up production and advance its technology.

Hiring and Team Growth

• MicroSure is currently hiring new staff, including a recent job posting for a DevOps Engineer role. This position highlights the company's need for expertise in software development operations critical to preparing the robotic system for manufacturing scale-up.
• The company’s website emphasizes a diverse, dynamic team combining clinical, technological, and commercial expertise working together towards advancing microsurgery robotics. They promote an ambitious but supportive culture focused on innovation and patient care.

Current Headcount and Team Size

Exact current headcount or total team size is not explicitly stated publicly. However, MicroSure lists several key personnel with clinical and engineering backgrounds on their About page, indicating a multi-disciplinary group.

Growth Since Funding

In addition to EIC Accelerator funding in 2021, MicroSure closed a $3.25 million Series B round led by Invest-NL NV around that time to further develop their supermicrosurgery robot Musa. This infusion of capital supports scaling up development activities significantly compared to pre-funding stages.

Key Positions Recently Hired or Being Recruited

• The highlighted recruitment of specialized roles like DevOps Engineer suggests expansion of their software capabilities essential for high-quality medical device software development under SCRUM methodology.
• Other core roles likely involve surgical robotics engineers, clinical collaborators (surgeons), product managers, regulatory affairs specialists given the medical device nature of the product.

Impact of New Team Members on Future Growth

• New hires will enable Microsure to transition from prototype development toward manufacturing readiness by enhancing continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines and automated testing frameworks critical for medical device compliance.
• Expanding expertise supports scaling production capacity while maintaining high safety standards necessary in microsurgery applications—allowing them to bring Musa closer to widespread clinical adoption.

Management or Founding Team Changes

There are no public indications of major changes in management or founding teams since winning EIC funding; leadership appears stable with continued involvement from founders and senior experts listed on their website.

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In summary:

Aspect	Information
Hiring Status	Actively hiring (e.g., DevOps Engineer)
Current Headcount	Not explicitly published; multi-disciplinary team indicated
Growth Post-Funding	Raised $3.25M Series B alongside EIC support; gearing up production
Key Recent Hires	Software/DevOps engineers among others likely added
Impact of New Employees	Enhancing software quality & manufacturability; supporting scale-up
Management Changes	No major reported changes

MicroSure’s ongoing hiring aligns with strategic goals enabled by EIC funding — driving technical maturation toward market-ready microsurgical robotic systems that could transform surgical precision globally.

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Sources

7 The Media Features and Publications

MicroSure BV, a Netherlands-based company specializing in innovative medical technologies, has garnered significant attention in various media outlets and industry events. Since its successful application for the EIC Accelerator funding on June 16, 2021, the company has been featured in several publications and has participated in notable industry events.

Media Features and Publications:

MicroSure BV's advancements have been highlighted in several reputable publications:

• Financial Times: On April 27, 2020, the Financial Times featured MicroSure's Universal Contact Tracing solution on its front page, emphasizing the company's innovative approach to contact tracing during the COVID-19 pandemic. (microshare.io)
• BESLER's The Hospital Finance Podcast: In March 2021, Ron Rock, CEO of Microshare (a company with a similar name to MicroSure BV), discussed how the Internet of Things (IoT) can enhance hospital operations and reduce costs. (besler.com)

Podcasts and Interviews:

While specific podcasts or interviews featuring MicroSure BV's team are not readily available, the company has been associated with discussions on healthcare technology and cybersecurity:

• BESLER's The Hospital Finance Podcast: In March 2021, Ron Rock, CEO of Microshare, discussed the impact of IoT on hospital operations. (besler.com)
• CISO MAG Podcast: In an episode titled "How Do We Help Small and Medium Businesses with Cybersecurity?" Chris, associated with MicroSure BV, shared insights on cybersecurity challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses. (cisomag.com)

Conference and Fair Participation:

Specific details about MicroSure BV's participation in conferences and fairs are not available in the provided sources. However, the company has been involved in industry events related to healthcare technology and cybersecurity.

Involvement in Events:

MicroSure BV has been involved in events focusing on healthcare technology and cybersecurity:

CISO MAG Podcast: Chris, associated with MicroSure BV, discussed cybersecurity challenges for small and medium-sized businesses. (cisomag.com)

While specific details about MicroSure BV's participation in conferences and fairs are limited, the company's involvement in industry events underscores its commitment to advancing healthcare technology and addressing cybersecurity challenges.