1 The EIC Accelerator Project

EIC Accelerator Program Overview

The EIC Accelerator program is a key initiative under the European Innovation Council (EIC) aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in their pursuit of innovation and growth. This program is particularly focused on deep-tech companies that have the potential to scale and create significant impact in various industries, including healthcare, energy, and digital technologies. The EIC Accelerator provides funding through a blended finance model, combining grants and equity investments to help these companies bridge the gap between research and market introduction.

Funding Structure

The funding structure of the EIC Accelerator consists of two main components: grants and equity.

Purpose and Impact in the Ecosystem

The EIC Accelerator plays a vital role in the European startup ecosystem, particularly within the deep-tech sector. By providing substantial financial backing, the program encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting companies that may otherwise struggle to secure funding from traditional sources. The EIC Accelerator not only enhances the visibility of innovative startups but also fosters collaboration between public and private sectors, driving economic growth and job creation across Europe.

Through its funding model, the EIC Accelerator helps companies overcome the initial challenges associated with scaling their innovations. By offering both grant and equity funding, the program enables startups to develop their technologies while simultaneously attracting private investment, increasing their chances of success in competitive markets.

Case Study: VITESTRO BV and Project VD-1

VITESTRO BV emerged as a winner of the EIC Accelerator in 2023, securing funding for its groundbreaking project, VD-1, which aims to develop the world’s first autonomous blood-drawing device. This innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare sector by providing a more efficient, less invasive method for blood sampling.

Project Overview: VD-1

The VD-1 project focuses on creating an autonomous device that can perform blood draws without the need for a trained medical professional. This device aims to enhance patient comfort and streamline the process of blood sampling, which is often a source of anxiety and discomfort for patients. By automating this procedure, VITESTRO seeks to reduce waiting times in healthcare facilities and improve overall patient experience.

Technology Basics and Background

The technology behind VD-1 is rooted in advanced robotics and artificial intelligence, allowing the device to accurately locate veins and draw blood with minimal discomfort. The key components of the technology include:

• Robotics: The device is equipped with precision robotics that mimic the movements of a skilled phlebotomist. This ensures that the blood draw is performed accurately and efficiently.
• AI-Driven Imaging: Utilizing machine learning algorithms, the device can analyze and identify suitable veins for blood draw in real time. This capability reduces the risk of multiple attempts, which can cause pain and distress for patients.
• User-Friendly Interface: The device is designed with an intuitive interface that guides users through the blood-drawing process, making it accessible even to non-medical personnel.

The development of VD-1 addresses a critical need in the healthcare sector, particularly in light of the increasing demand for blood tests and the shortage of trained healthcare professionals. By enabling autonomous blood draws, VITESTRO aims to alleviate pressure on healthcare systems while improving the quality of care provided to patients.

The EIC Accelerator's support has been instrumental in advancing VITESTRO's mission, providing necessary funding for research, development, and future commercialization efforts. As the project progresses, it holds the promise of transforming blood sampling practices, ultimately contributing to more efficient healthcare delivery across Europe and beyond.

For further information, VITESTRO BV can be explored through their website at vitestro.com.

2 The Funding Rounds

Vitestro BV: Financing, Funding Rounds, Investors, and Valuation Since EIC Accelerator Funding

Financing Raised

Since submitting its successful Step 2 proposal for the EIC Accelerator on January 11, 2023, Vitestro BV has significantly expanded its funding base. As of April 30, 2024:

• Total funding raised: $50 million (approximately €46 million)
• This figure includes both equity investments and grant funding from various sources.

Funding Rounds: Timing and Amounts

Vitestro’s notable post-EIC Accelerator funding rounds are as follows:

Date	Round	Amount	Key Investors
March 2023	Series A	€12 million	Sonder Capital (lead), others
April 2024	Series A	€20 million ($22M)	Sonder Capital (lead), NYBC Ventures (new), Invest-NL, EIC Fund

Note: The latest round is sometimes referenced as a continuation/extension of the Series A round due to the company’s growth stage.

Investor Information

The primary investors in these rounds include:

• Sonder Capital (California-based venture firm; lead investor in both major rounds)
• NYBC Ventures (new investor in the most recent round)
• Invest-NL
• European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund)
• Existing private investors with expertise in clinical laboratory and MedTech sectors.

A standout individual participant is Dr. Fred Moll—Managing Partner at Sonder Capital and co-founder of Intuitive Surgical—who has invested to help Vitestro accelerate commercialization efforts.

Use of Funds & Strategic Focus

The funds have been earmarked for several key objectives: - Accelerating commercialization of Vitestro's autonomous blood drawing device across Europe.

• Supporting organizational expansion into the U.S. market.
• Further product development and scaling operations to meet increased demand following positive hospital trials and pre-orders from leading healthcare institutions.

Company Valuation

Independent estimates place Vitestro’s enterprise valuation between $88–132 million as of April 2024 according to Dealroom.co data. There are no public disclosures specifying how each round affected valuation.

Exit Events: IPOs or Acquisitions

As of May 2025:

No initial public offering (IPO), buyout, or acquisition events involving Vitestro have been reported.

Vitestro remains privately held with ongoing expansion plans focused on commercializing its robotics-driven blood collection technology.

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Sources

• Vitestro Secures $22 Million (€20 million) for Autonomous Blood Draw Device
• GlobeNewswire – Vitestro Secures $22 Million (€20 million) for Autonomous Blood Draw Device
• Osborne Clarke – Vitestro raises EUR 12 million in Series A financing round

-Dealroom.co – Vitestro company information, funding & investors

-The Next Web – Dutch startup to bring robotic blood drawing to hospitals

-Vitrestro official site - News section

3 The Press Releases

Vitestro BV: Pioneering Autonomous Blood Drawing Technology Post-EIC Accelerator Funding

Following its selection as an EIC Accelerator winner in January 2023, Vitestro BV has accelerated the development and commercialization of its autonomous blood-drawing device. The Netherlands-based company, recognized for its groundbreaking combination of robotics, AI, and ultrasound-guided venipuncture, secured additional funding and achieved critical milestones over the past year.

Key Developments

• $22 Million Funding Round (April 2024): Led by Sonder Capital and NYBC Ventures, with participation from Invest-NL and the EIC Fund, this oversubscribed round brought total funding to $50 million (€46 million). The investment will drive European commercialization and U.S. market expansion.
• Clinical Trial Launch (October 2023): Initiated the ADOPT trial—the world’s largest clinical study for autonomous blood-drawing devices—partnering with Dutch hospitals including Amsterdam UMC and St. Antonius Hospital.
• Technology Advancements: The device integrates AI-driven 3D vein reconstruction via ultrasound/IR imaging, robotic needle insertion precision (±0.2mm accuracy), automated tube handling, and a patient-centric interface allowing supervision of multiple devices simultaneously.
• Regulatory Progress: Anticipates CE marking in late 2024 following trial completion, with initial orders already placed by European hospitals.

Strategic Partnerships & Team Growth

Co-founders Toon Overbeeke (CEO) and Brian Joseph (Commercial Director) emphasized partnerships with medical institutions like OLVG Lab during trials. Dr. Fred Moll—co-founder of Intuitive Surgical—joined through Sonder Capital’s investment, providing surgical robotics expertise to scale production.

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Sources

• EIC Accelerator winners January 2023
• Vitestro Secures $22 Million Funding
• World's Largest Clinical Trial for Blood Draw Tech
• $22M Raise Announcement on TNW

4 The Technology Advancements

Vitestro BV's Post-EIC Accelerator Progress and Technological Advancements

Since receiving the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator Grant in March 2023, Vitestro has accelerated its clinical, commercial, and technological development. Below is a detailed overview of their advancements:

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1. Clinical Trials and Regulatory Milestones

• A.D.O.P.T. Pivotal Trial: The company completed enrollment of 350 patients at Result Laboratorium - Albert Schweitzer Hospital, with over 2,000 participants across multiple European hospitals. Results from this trial demonstrated a 95% first-stick success rate, 98% patient acceptance, and compliance with all safety endpoints.
• CE Mark Approval: Vitestro obtained CE certification for its autonomous blood drawing device in August 2024, paving the way for deployments in Europe starting late 2024/early 2025.
• U.S. Expansion Plans: A multi-center clinical trial is underway in collaboration with U.S. academic medical centers to pursue FDA approval.

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2. Technological Features and Upgrades

• Aletta™ ARPD Launch: Unveiled in March 2025 as the world’s first CE-marked Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy Device™ (ARPD™). Key features include:
• AI-driven Doppler ultrasound for vein identification
• Fully automated workflow (tourniquet to bandage)
• Pain levels reported as comparable or lower than manual draws
• Enhanced imaging algorithms and robotic precision through iterative updates during clinical trials.

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3. Commercialization and Market Entry

• Pre-Commitments: Agreements signed with Amsterdam’s OLVG Lab, Denmark’s Odense University Hospital, and Result Laboratorium for device deployments post-CE marking. Multiple devices are scheduled for installation by late 2024.
• Global Demonstrations: Showcased the device at WorldLab Rome (May 2024) and Dubai (May-June 2024), emphasizing patient journey visualization and workflow integration.

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4. Funding Growth

Raised $22 million in April-May 2024 ($50 million total), led by Sonder Capital and NYBC Ventures, to accelerate commercialization in Europe/U.S.. The EIC Fund participated alongside Invest-NL as part of post-Accelerator scaling efforts.

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Intellectual Property & Publications While Vitestro has not publicly disclosed new patents since March 2023, peer-reviewed publications or whitepapers related to its A.D.O.P.T. trial results are anticipated following regulatory submissions (patent data not explicitly mentioned in sources). Clinical trial outcomes were presented at IFCC WorldLab Dubai under NCT05878483 registration .

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Sources Used:

• Vitestro Receives EIC Accelerator Grant
• CE Mark Announcement
• Aletta Launch Details

+ Additional references:

• Pivotal Trial Results
• $22M Funding Round
• OLVG Partnership
• Full source list derived from provided search results.

5 The Partnerships and Customers

Vitestro BV's Strategic Partnerships and Market Position Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Since securing EIC Accelerator support in early 2023, Vitestro BV has advanced its autonomous blood-drawing technology through strategic collaborations with hospitals, laboratories, and investors. These partnerships aim to address healthcare staffing shortages and standardize blood collection workflows.

Key Partners and Customers

• Result Laboratorium: A Dutch laboratory based in Zevenbergen that placed an order for two devices.
• St. Antonius Hospital: Deploying two devices to enhance patient experience and reduce staff workload. The hospital also participates in Vitestro’s ADOPT clinical trial.
• Clinical Trial Collaborators: OLVG Lab, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, and Utrecht-based St. Antonius Hospital are involved in the world’s largest autonomous blood-drawing trial (13,618 participants).

New Investors (Post-Series A)

• Sonder Capital, led by Intuitive Surgical co-founder Dr. Fred Moll.
• NYBC Ventures, Invest-NL, and the EIC Fund, supporting commercialization efforts.

Nature of Relationships

• Clinical Validation: Partner hospitals enable large-scale testing to refine AI-guided venipuncture accuracy.
• Commercial Deployment: Pre-order agreements with laboratories like Result Laboratorium ensure early adoption post-CE certification (expected late 2024).

Market Positioning and Scaling Strategy

Vitestro’s partnerships solidify its role as a leader in medical robotics for pre-analytical workflows. By automating blood draws—performed 10 billion times annually globally—the company addresses critical labor shortages while reducing error rates linked to manual procedures. Collaborative trials enhance regulatory compliance (CE marking) and pave the way for European market entry in late 2024, followed by U.S. expansion plans using recent €20 million funding.

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Sources

Vitestro raises EUR 12 million Series A | PR Newswire | IPT Online | Medical Technology Journal | Vitestro Secures $22M Funding | St. Antonius Partnership Announcement ([corrected URL: vitestreo → vitetro] Note: Original source likely intended https://vitetro.com/stantonius..., but provided link is invalid; refer instead to archived content from search results) | TNW Article on €20M Raise.

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

Vitestro's Team Growth and Scaling Strategy Post-EIC Accelerator Funding

Vitestro, the Utrecht-based medical robotics company, has demonstrated significant team expansion and strategic hiring to support its mission of revolutionizing autonomous blood-drawing technology. Here’s a breakdown of their growth trajectory:

Current Headcount and Growth:

Vitestro employs approximately 113–115 specialists as of recent reports[^growjo][^rocketreach], reflecting a 49% year-over-year increase in staff[^growjo]. The company’s workforce includes over 70 experts in medical robotics, AI, imaging software, and healthcare commercialization.

• Recent Hiring Activity:
• Bob Gerberich joined as Chief Commercial Officer (North America) to lead U.S. market development.
• Two new board members were appointed: Dave Hickey (formerly of Boston Scientific) and Sjaak Deckers (ex-Philips Healthcare), alongside existing board member Dr. Fred Moll (Intuitive Surgical co-founder).
• Continued recruitment across engineering, AI/software development, regulatory affairs, and commercial roles to support EU market entry and U.S. expansion.
• Scaling Impact:

The influx of senior leadership positions—particularly in U.S. commercialization—positions Vitestro for global scalability following its anticipated CE Mark approval in late 2024. The expanded team will drive deployment at early-adopter sites like Result Laboratorium (Netherlands) and St. Antonius Hospital while preparing FDA submissions for the U.S..

Management Changes:

No changes to the founding team were reported; CEO Toon Overbeeke remains in leadership alongside co-founders Brian Joseph (Commercial Director) and others. The board expansion strengthens governance during its transition from R&D to commercial-stage operations.

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Sources

• Vitestro Appoints Bob Gerberich as Chief Commercial Officer for North America
• Vitestro Raises $22 Million for Autonomous Blood Drawing Device
• Pivotal Trial Study Of Breakthrough Autonomous Blood Draw Technology Confirms Performance
• Vitestro secures order from Result Laboratorium for two blood drawing devices
• Dutch startup to bring robotic blood drawing to hospitals

– Vitestock Revenue & Employees Data – Note: Discrepancy exists between Growjo's employee count (~113) vs RocketReach (~114) – RocketReach Company Profile

7 The Media Features and Publications

Vitestro BV: Media Presence and Public Engagement Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Since securing EIC Accelerator funding in early 2023, Vitestro BV has actively engaged in media outreach, conferences, and partnerships to promote its autonomous blood-drawing technology. Below is a detailed overview of their activities:

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Media Features & Publications

• The Next Web (TNW) highlighted Vitestro’s €20M Series A fundraising (May 2024), emphasizing its AI-driven robotic device for blood draws and plans for EU certification.
• Company announcements on their website detail CE marking approval, clinical trial results, and partnerships with hospitals like St. Antonius Ziekenhuis.

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Conferences & Fairs

• WorldLab-EuroMedLab 2023: Vitestro showcased its device at this Rome conference, attracting global laboratory professionals.
• Upcoming Events: The company is likely to participate in the 2025 EuroMedLab edition based on their stated intent. While not explicitly listed yet in the 2024 ADLM Exhibit Guide, industry events remain a key focus for market expansion.

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Leadership Appearances & Interviews

• Podcasts/Interviews: No direct mentions found in available sources. However, co-founder Brian Joseph’s statements were quoted by TNW regarding healthcare innovation, suggesting media engagement beyond formal interviews.
• Board Appointments: Notable additions include Dave Hickey and Sjaak Deckers, whose inductions were publicized via press releases to underline strategic growth.

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Event Involvement & Partnerships

• Clinical Trials: Ongoing large-scale trials across Dutch hospitals since 2023 aim to validate safety and efficacy ahead of commercial deployment.
• Commercial Orders: Result Laboratorium (Netherlands) ordered two devices, signaling market readiness ahead of EU certification expected in late 2024.

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Sources Used:

• The Next Web - Dutch startup robotic blood drawing
• Vitestro WorldLab Participation
• Vitestro Company News
• ADLM Exhibit Guide Reference