1 The EIC Accelerator Project

Overview of the EIC Accelerator Program

The EIC Accelerator program, part of the European Innovation Council (EIC), aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in Europe that are developing innovative technologies and solutions. The program is designed to facilitate the scaling of high-risk, high-potential ventures that contribute to the European Union's strategic goals, including sustainability, digital transformation, and global competitiveness.

Funding Structure

The EIC Accelerator provides a unique funding structure that includes a combination of grants and equity investments.

Grant Funding: The program offers grants of up to €2.5 million. These grants are intended to cover the costs associated with the development and commercialization of innovative projects, such as research and development, prototyping, and market entry activities. The grant component is especially beneficial for startups and SMEs that require upfront capital to validate their technologies and business models before attracting private investment.
Equity Investment: Following the grant phase, the EIC Accelerator can also provide equity investments of up to €15 million until 2024, and up to €10 million starting in 2025. This equity funding is aimed at facilitating further growth and scaling, enabling companies to expand their operations, enter new markets, or enhance their product offerings. The investment is crucial for companies looking to leverage additional private sector funding, as it serves as a validation of their technology and business potential.

Purpose in the European DeepTech and Startup Ecosystem

The EIC Accelerator plays a pivotal role in the European DeepTech and startup ecosystem by bridging the funding gap often encountered by innovative companies. Many startups struggle to secure financing due to the high risks associated with developing new technologies. By providing both grant and equity funding, the EIC Accelerator not only supports the initial stages of innovation but also helps companies build credibility in the eyes of private investors. This dual approach encourages a healthier investment landscape for deep-tech startups and contributes to the overall economic growth of the EU.

Role in Scaling Companies

The EIC Accelerator actively helps companies scale by providing not just financial support, but also mentorship and networking opportunities. Companies that receive funding often benefit from a broader ecosystem of support, including access to industry experts, potential partners, and investors. This holistic approach enhances the chances of success for innovative startups and ensures that they are well-positioned to compete on a global scale.

Case Study: MATERRUP and the Clayment Project

Company Overview: MATERRUP, based in France, has emerged as a notable winner of the EIC Accelerator program. The company focuses on the development of sustainable construction materials that contribute significantly to reducing carbon emissions.

Project Acronym: Clayment

Project Description: The Clayment project centers on the development of a clay-based cement alternative designed for massive CO2 reduction. This innovative material aims to transform the construction industry by providing a more sustainable option compared to traditional cement, which is known for its high carbon footprint.

Technology Basics and Background

The Clayment project leverages a unique formulation that incorporates clay, a natural and abundant resource, to create a cement alternative with a significantly lower environmental impact. Traditional cement production contributes approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions due to the high temperatures required for calcination. In contrast, Clayment aims to reduce these emissions through a more sustainable production process.

The technology behind Clayment involves innovative processing techniques that enhance the properties of clay, allowing it to perform similarly to traditional cement in construction applications. This includes improving strength, durability, and workability while ensuring that the material is accessible and cost-effective for construction projects.

By promoting the use of Clayment, MATERRUP seeks to address two critical challenges: the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions in the construction sector and the growing demand for sustainable building materials. The project not only aligns with the EU’s sustainability goals but also positions MATERRUP as a leader in the green construction materials market.

The successful application for EIC Accelerator funding, which included a grant followed by potential equity investment, underscores the innovation and market viability of the Clayment project. It highlights MATERRUP's commitment to contributing positively to climate change mitigation through advanced technology and sustainable practices.

In summary, the EIC Accelerator serves as a crucial facilitator of innovation in Europe, enabling companies like MATERRUP to turn groundbreaking ideas into viable products that can significantly impact the environment and the economy.

2 The Funding Rounds

Financing Raised

Materrup, a French company specializing in low-carbon cement technology, has raised significant funding since its EIC Accelerator win in June 2022. The most notable financing event occurred in June 2024, when Materrup secured €26 million ($29 million) to accelerate the deployment of its circular low-carbon cement plants across France and Europe.

Funding Rounds: Timing, Amounts & Investors

Date	Round/Source	Amount	Main Investors/Participants
Oct 2020	Early Round	€1.5 million	Irdi Capital Investissement, Aquiti, Sofimac Innovation
Jun 2022	EIC Accelerator Grant	€2.4 million	European Innovation Council (EIC)
Jun 2022	EIC Fund Equity	Not disclosed	EIC Fund
Jun 2024	Series (Growth/Expansion)	€26 million	Eurazeo (Smart City fund), EIC Fund; UI Investissement; Aquiti; IRDI; Argiduna Capital

</em>The grant component under the EU’s accelerator program is typically up to €2.5m.

Details on Key Funding Events

October 2020: Materrup raised an early round of €1.5m with French investors focused on innovation and regional development.
June 2022: The company was awarded an EIC Accelerator grant (€2.4m confirmed), as well as equity investment from the accompanying EIC Fund—the exact equity amount was not disclosed but typically ranges between €500k–€15m for deep-tech startups under this program.
June 2024: Materrup completed a major fundraising round of €26m led by Eurazeo (Smart City fund) and the European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund), along with historical investors such as UI Investissement, Aquiti, IRDI, and Argiduna Capital. This round aims to support large-scale plant deployment in France and Europe.

Investor Information

Key institutional investors include: - Eurazeo: Joined via its Smart City fund during the June 2024 round.

EIC Fund: Participated both after Materrup’s Accelerator victory in June 2022 and again significantly in June 2024.
Historical Investors: UI Investissement, Aquiti Gestion/Aquiti VC, IRDI SORIDEC Gestion/IRDI Capital Investissement, Sofimac Innovation (early round), Argiduna Capital.

These investors are primarily focused on sustainability tech and industrial deep-tech innovations.

Company Valuations

No public disclosures regarding specific pre-money or post-money valuations for recent funding rounds were found among available sources.

Exit Events: IPOs or Acquisitions

As of May 1st, 2025:

There have been no reported exit events such as initial public offerings (IPOs), major buyouts/acquisitions involving Materrup since their receipt of EU funding.
The company's focus remains on scaling operations through new capital rather than pursuing exit strategies at this stage.

Sources: - EURAZEO SUPPORTS MATERRUP'S €26 MILLION FUNDRAISING ...

3 The Press Releases

MATERRUP's Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Developments Following its June 2022 EIC Accelerator win, French cleantech company MATERRUP has advanced its low-carbon cement technology through significant partnerships, funding rounds, and industrial scaling.

Key Milestones and Updates

€26 Million Fundraising (June 2024): Led by Eurazeo’s Smart City fund and the EIC Fund, this round supports the deployment of 10 regional production plants in France and Europe. Historical investors UI Investissement, Aquiti, Irdi, and Argiduna Capital also participated.
Technology Deployment: MATERRUP’s MCC1© cement-based concrete has already been used in over 10,000 m³ of construction projects (e.g., foundations, walls), leveraging non-calcined clay to reduce CO₂ emissions without high-temperature processing.
Market Ambition: Targeting Europe’s 130 Mt cement market (2022 baseline), the company aims to replace conventional carbon-intensive cements with its certified CCC© technology.

Partnerships and Leadership

Industrial Collaborations: MATERRUP works with cement producers and construction firms to integrate its technology into existing supply chains.
Leadership Statements: CEO Mathieu Neuville emphasized “doing better with less” through immediate carbon reduction, while Chairwoman Julie Neuville highlighted circular economy principles in their deployment model.

Sources

EIC Accelerator winners and statistics June 2022 - Strata.team
Materrup raises €26 million to deploy ten low-carbon cement plants
EURAZEO SUPPORTS MATERRUP'S €26 MILLION FUNDRAISING
Materrup RAISES €26 MILLION TO DEPLOY ITS CIRCULAR LOW ... (PDF) (Note: URL truncated; full link available in source material)

4 The Technology Advancements

MATERRUP's Post-EIC Accelerator Progress and Current Capabilities

Since receiving EIC Accelerator funding in June 2022, MATERRUP has significantly expanded its industrial footprint and technology deployment. The company specializes in low-carbon cement solutions using non-calcined clay, avoiding the energy-intensive calcination process to reduce CO₂ emissions[^5^][^7^].

Advancements and Market Demonstrations

Industrial Scaling: MATERRUP commissioned its first production plant in Landes (2022) and launched a joint venture with Vicat Group to build Borda Occitanie (60,000-ton/year capacity), operational by 2023[^1^][^9^]. Four additional French plants are planned under this partnership.
Customer Pilots: Partnered with BNP Paribas Real Estate on five pilot projects in Lyon and Bordeaux (e.g., redeveloping former industrial sites into mixed-use spaces). Over 10,000 m³ of MCC1® cement-based concrete has been sold for foundations, flooring, and precast applications.
Product Showcases: Presented low-carbon hollow blocks at the Grande Exposition du Fabriqué en France (Élysée Palace, October 2024), highlighting circular materials made from local waste.

Technology Development

MATERRUP’s core innovation—non-calcined clay cement (MCC1®)—has been commercialized since 2022. The company emphasizes scalability through "Small Modular Cement Plants" (SMCP©), enabling localized production with minimal infrastructure. Recent fundraising of €26 million (June 2024) aims to deploy 10 plants across France and Europe by 2029, leveraging partnerships with Vinci, Bouygues Immobilier, and Edilians.

Intellectual Property & Research

While specific patents are not detailed publicly, MATERRUP describes its technology as "multi-patented" and certified by CSTB for structural use. The EIC Fund highlighted its potential as a "European technology leader," suggesting ongoing IP development. No whitepapers or clinical trials are explicitly cited; however collaborations with scientific bodies like CSTB indicate applied research integration.

Sources:

Funding & Partnerships

The $29 million raised in June 2024 attracted investors like Eurazeo’s Smart City fund and the EIC Fund to accelerate EU-wide deployment. Julie Neuville was appointed Chairwoman to strengthen governance during expansion phases.

Market Position

MATERRUP claims cost parity or better versus traditional cement solutions while reducing carbon footprints by up to 50% per ton. Its focus on regional circular economies positions it as a partner for decarbonizing large-scale construction projects.

Sources:

Materrp Raises EUR26m Funding
Eurazeo Supports Materrp's Fundraising
Global Cement News (Vicat-MATERRUP Plant Announcement)

5 The Partnerships and Customers

MATERRUP: Expanding Partnerships and Market Presence

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding in June 2022, MATERRUP, a French startup based in southwest France, has significantly strengthened its partnerships and expanded its market presence. Founded in 2018, MATERRUP specializes in producing clean cement from uncalcined clay, reducing the carbon footprint of construction by half. This innovative technology has attracted several key partners across the construction and cement industries.

Partnerships and Customers

MATERRUP has established partnerships with prominent entities such as Vicat, with whom they formed a joint venture for industrializing raw clay cement production. The company is also partnered with Demathieu Bard, serving as their leading construction partner in France. Additionally, MATERRUP works with BNP Paribas Real Estate, focusing on making the construction sector greener through pilot projects in Lyon and Bordeaux. Other notable partners include Vinci, Bouygues Immobilier, and Lib Industries, which have been crucial in advancing MATERRUP's low-carbon cement technology.

New Partners and Customers

Recent partnerships include Eurazeo and the EIC Fund, which participated in a €26 million fundraising, supporting MATERRUP's expansion plans across France and Europe. This financial backing has facilitated MATERRUP's strategic industrial partnerships and the deployment of its technology. Lib Industries has also joined forces with MATERRUP to produce low-carbon concrete products, further expanding their customer base.

Nature of New Relationships and Purpose

The partnerships aim to accelerate the adoption of MATERRUP's low-carbon cement technology across the construction sector. These collaborations focus on reducing carbon emissions while maintaining performance and cost competitiveness with traditional cements. The purpose is to decarbonize the construction industry by promoting sustainable, locally sourced materials and supporting regional economic development.

Market Positioning and Technology Advancements

These partnerships position MATERRUP as a leading innovator in the low-carbon cement market. By collaborating with major construction and cement companies, MATERRUP gains access to broader markets and resources for scaling its operations. The partnerships also facilitate the refinement of MATERRUP's technology, enhancing its competitiveness and environmental impact. The company's growth strategy includes deploying its technology in Europe, supported by the European Union's innovation initiatives, which will further solidify its market presence.

Scaling and Expansion

MATERRUP's fundraising and partnerships are crucial for scaling its production. The company plans to open ten new plants in France and Europe, leveraging co-investment with existing manufacturers to expand its low-carbon cement production capacity. This expansion will increase its market reach and help achieve its goal of reducing carbon emissions in the construction sector significantly.

Conclusion

MATERRUP's strategic partnerships and funding have been instrumental in advancing its innovative low-carbon cement technology. By collaborating with industry leaders and expanding its production capacity, MATERRUP is poised to significantly impact the construction sector's carbon footprint while maintaining economic viability.

Sources: - Demathieu & Bard | Materrup

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

MATERRUP: Scaling Low-Carbon Cement Innovation Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Since securing EIC Accelerator funding, French cleantech pioneer Materrup has advanced its mission to decarbonize the cement industry through its patented MCC1© technology, which cuts emissions by 50% compared to conventional methods. While specific headcount figures remain undisclosed in available sources, the company’s recent €26 million Series A round led by Eurazeo and the EIC Fund (July 2024) signals aggressive expansion across France and Europe.

Growth Trajectory & Hiring Insights

Funding Utilization: The capital injection will drive deployment of Small Modular Cement Plants (SMCP©), requiring technical, operational, and business development hires.
Leadership: Chairwoman Julie Neuville continues to helm strategic partnerships and international scaling efforts, with no reported management changes post-funding.
Key Positions: Though exact roles are unspecified, Materrup's plant rollout implies demand for materials scientists, supply chain specialists, and sustainability experts. The emphasis on partnering with industrialists suggests business development hires to secure concrete sector collaborations.

The company’s focus on replacing 80% of traditional concrete in construction positions new team members as critical enablers for production scaling and market penetration across Europe’s green building sector.

Sources

– Q2 & H1 2024 Industry Insights: Contech & Cleantech

7 The Media Features and Publications

Overview of Materrup

Materrup is a French company that has made significant strides in the development of low-carbon cement technology. It was selected as a winner of the EIC Accelerator program in June 2022, a prestigious initiative by the European Commission to support innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in deploying their disruptive technologies across Europe. The company's technology focuses on using non-calcined clay to produce cement, reducing energy consumption by half while maintaining mechanical performance.

Media Features and Publications

Materrup has been featured in various publications for its innovative approach to reducing carbon emissions in the cement industry. For instance, the company's recent fundraising of €26 million, supported by Eurazeo and the European Innovation Council Fund, was highlighted for its potential to accelerate the deployment of low-carbon cement technology across Europe. Materrup's participation in the EIC Accelerator program was also noted for its alignment with the EU's "Fit for 55" program, aiming to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries.

Content from Publications

Publications have emphasized Materrup's commitment to carbon avoidance and its role in transforming the European cement market. The company's technology is seen as a competitive alternative to traditional carbonated cements due to its low-cost and low-carbon nature. Materrup has already sold over 10,000 m³ of its low-carbon concrete for various construction applications.

Podcasts and Interviews

There is currently no publicly available information on specific podcasts or interviews involving the Materrup team. However, the company's participation in significant events and partnerships suggests a strong presence in the industry.

Conference and Fair Visits, Presentations or Participations

While specific details about Materrup's participation in conferences and fairs are not readily available, its partnership with organizations like the French Geological Survey (BRGM) indicates involvement in initiatives related to sustainable materials and construction practices.

Involvement in Events

Materrup's involvement in events is likely centered around sustainability and innovation in the construction sector. The company's certification by Frenchtech2030 and its participation in the EIC Accelerator program underscore its commitment to contributing to European initiatives focused on decarbonization and innovation.

Sources: - EIC Accelerator winners and statistics June 2022

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