1 The EIC Accelerator Project

The European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program is designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in Europe that are developing high-impact innovations with the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones. The program aims to bridge the funding gap that often exists for these companies, particularly in the DeepTech sector, by providing a combination of grants and equity investments.

Funding Structure

The EIC Accelerator offers a blended finance model, which includes two primary components: grants and equity investments.

Purpose in the Ecosystem

The EIC Accelerator plays a pivotal role in the European DeepTech and startup ecosystem by addressing the critical need for funding at various stages of a company's life cycle. Many innovative companies struggle to secure adequate financing from traditional sources, such as banks or venture capital, especially during the early stages when risks are high and revenues are uncertain. The EIC Accelerator aims to mitigate this risk by providing direct financial support while also signaling credibility to potential private investors. This dual approach fosters a more robust innovation landscape in Europe by enabling startups to scale effectively and attract additional funding.

Role in Scaling and Funding

The EIC Accelerator not only provides financial resources but also offers strategic support in the form of mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to a broader pool of investors. This comprehensive approach is designed to help companies refine their business models, enhance their market strategies, and ultimately position themselves for long-term success. By bridging the gap between public funding and private sector investment, the EIC Accelerator facilitates a smoother transition for startups moving from the development phase to full-scale commercialization.

Case Study: eNote GmbH and the Enote Project

eNote GmbH is an exemplary case of a company that has successfully leveraged the EIC Accelerator program. The company's project, known as Enote, aims to revolutionize how sheet music is used and distributed by integrating artificial intelligence into the process. The project was submitted for funding on October 6, 2021, and eNote GmbH secured its position as an EIC Accelerator winner.

Project Overview

The Enote project seeks to bring sheet music into the digital era, addressing the challenges faced by musicians and composers in accessing and using sheet music effectively. Traditional sheet music often comes with limitations such as physical storage issues, lack of accessibility, and challenges related to annotation and collaboration among musicians. By employing artificial intelligence, Enote offers a solution that enhances the usability and accessibility of sheet music.

Technology Basics and Background

The technology underpinning Enote leverages advanced AI algorithms that can intelligently analyze and digitize sheet music. This includes features such as optical music recognition, which converts printed music into a digital format, and interactive tools that allow users to annotate, share, and customize their sheet music experience. The AI component also enables personalized recommendations based on user preferences and performance history, thereby catering to a wide range of musicians, from beginners to professionals.

Additionally, Enote addresses the issue of copyright by creating a platform that allows composers to distribute their works digitally while retaining control over their intellectual property. This not only empowers creators but also enhances the overall ecosystem for musicians by providing easier access to diverse repertoires.

Conclusion

Through initiatives like the EIC Accelerator, Europe is fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem that is capable of driving innovation in sectors such as DeepTech. eNote GmbH's Enote project exemplifies how targeted funding and support can enable startups to transform traditional industries through cutting-edge technology, ultimately benefiting musicians and composers alike. As the EIC Accelerator continues to evolve, it is likely to remain a key player in supporting groundbreaking innovations across Europe.

2 The Funding Rounds

Enote GmbH, a Berlin-based music technology startup from Germany, has successfully raised financing and secured funding through multiple rounds since its founding in 2019. The company specializes in using artificial intelligence to digitize sheet music via optical music recognition, making centuries of written scores accessible and interactive for musicians globally.

Funding Rounds and Amounts:

• In October 2021, Enote was awarded €2 million in grant funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program as part of the EU’s Horizon Europe initiative. This grant supported Enote's development of cutting-edge AI methods to enhance their digital sheet music library and app functionalities.
• Following this grant, Enote planned a Series A equity funding round initially targeted for late 2022.
• In April 2023, Enote closed a Pre-Series A investment round raising €10 million. This significant cash injection was led by Dieter von Holzbrink Ventures (DvH Ventures), with participation from the European Innovation Council’s EIC Fund and Rudolf Fuchs Family Office.

Investors:

• Lead investor for the Pre-Series A round: Dieter von Holzbrink Ventures (DvH Ventures).
• Other notable investors include the EU’s European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund) and Rudolf Fuchs Family Office.

Use of Funding:

The funds have been earmarked primarily to accelerate development on their interactive sheet music standard aimed at democratizing access to quality digital sheet music worldwide. Specifically, investments focus on expanding technical capabilities including improving accuracy in Optical Music Recognition technology as well as launching new app features that empower educators and artists.

Company Valuation & Financial Estimates:

As of April 2023 estimates by Dealroom.co indicate an enterprise valuation range between $44 million and $66 million USD. Specific revenue or profitability data is not publicly detailed but there is an indication of positive growth trends alongside ongoing R&D investments.

Funding or Exit Events Summary Table:

Date	Round	Amount Raised	Lead Investors
Dec 2021	EIC Accelerator Grant	€2 million	European Innovation Council
April 2023	Pre-Series A	€10 million	Dieter von Holzbrink Ventures (DvH), EIC Fund, Rudolf Fuchs Family Office

Overall, since submitting its Step 2 proposal on October 6th, 2021 for the EIC Accelerator program—and winning later at Step 3—Enote GmbH has leveraged EU grants combined with private venture capital investment to scale its AI-powered digital sheet music platform significantly within just a few years.

Sources: - Enote closes €10 Million Pre-Series A investment

• Dealroom.co - Enote company information
• The SaaS News - Enote raises €10M in pre-series A
• Ennote receives €2M funding from EU
• DvH Ventures leads €10M pre-series A for Ennote

3 The Press Releases

Enote GmbH, a Berlin-based music technology startup, has been actively advancing in the digital sheet music industry. Since receiving EIC Accelerator funding in October 2021, the company has made significant strides.

Key Developments

• Funding and Investment: In April 2023, Enote secured €10 million in a pre-Series A funding round. This investment was led by Dieter von Holzbrink Ventures (DvH Ventures), the EU’s European Innovation Council (EIC Fund), and the Rudolf Fuchs Family Office. This funding aims to support the development of a unified digital sheet music format using Optical Music Recognition (OMR) technology.
• Technology Advancements: Enote utilizes AI to convert written sheet music into a digital format, making it accessible and affordable for musicians worldwide. The company's proprietary AI technology is key to unlocking new innovations in music publishing and education.
• App and User Base: Enote's iOS app has been available for over 18 months, attracting over 70,000 musicians. The app's library contains thousands of scores, with dozens of new pieces added weekly.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: There are no recent partnerships mentioned specifically, but the company's funding involves significant European business figures, indicating a strong network of supporters.
• Press Releases and Updates: Enote provides press releases and media resources on its website, including recent updates on product launches and funding. For example, the company announced its app's release on the App Store in May, offering a free trial for a limited time.

Team Updates

The company was founded by Boian Videnoff and Evgeny Mitichkin in 2019. Boian Videnoff, who is also the chief conductor of the Mannheim Philharmonic, emphasizes the importance of democratizing access to sheet music and enhancing music education through technology.

Patents

There is no specific information available regarding patents held by Enote GmbH in the provided search results.

Press Releases and Social Media

Enote maintains a press section on its website, where it shares press releases and provides contact details for media inquiries. Recent releases include announcements about app availability and funding rounds, but there is no specific mention of social media updates.

Resources

• Enote Blog
• Enote Press
• EU-Startups: Enote
• Silicon Canals: Enote Secures €10M

4 The Technology Advancements

Enote GmbH: Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Advancements Since receiving €2 million in EIC Accelerator funding in December 2021, Berlin-based Enote GmbH has demonstrated significant technological and commercial progress, focusing on AI-driven sheet music digitization and library expansion.

Technological Improvements & New Features

• Library Growth: The app’s library expanded to over 80,000 scores by April 2025, including urtext editions and public domain works.
• AI-Driven Digitization: Advanced Optical Music Recognition (OMR) technology was refined to convert historical sheet music into native digital formats with higher accuracy.
• App Enhancements: Introduced tools for score annotation, automatic cropping, transposition, and cross-device synchronization. A "big-picture view" feature allows users to preview full scores from individual instrumental parts.
• Collaborative Tools: Added support for importing personal scores and editing digital content directly within the app.

Market Demonstration & Adoption

• User Base Growth: By April 2023, Enote’s app surpassed 70,000 global users, rising further by 2025 with regular feature updates driving adoption among musicians and educators.
• Public Launches: Released iOS (May 2021) and macOS (November 2021) versions post-funding, followed by continuous updates like page-cropping tools in Version 1.9 (April 2025).

Funding & Strategic Initiatives

Pre-Series A Round: Secured €10 million in April 2023 from DvH Ventures, EIC Fund, and Rudolf Fuchs Family Office to scale AI innovations and global outreach. This enabled faster library digitization (~dozens of new weekly additions) and educator-focused features.

Intellectual Property & Publications
While specific patents or whitepapers are not explicitly mentioned in available sources:

Open-Source Contributions: Utilized Verovio engraving library and MEI encoding format publicly but did not disclose proprietary patent filings related to their OMR or AI workflows.

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Sources Used:

Enote Blog - Import Feature | Enote Homepage | CORDIS Project | Apple App Store Listing | EIC Funding Announcement | Taylor Wessing Legal Update | Silicon Canals Report

5 The Partnerships and Customers

eNote GmbH, a German AI-driven music technology startup, has developed an innovative platform that digitizes and provides interactive sheet music for musicians worldwide. Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding following its October 6, 2021 proposal submission, eNote has notably expanded its partnerships and customer base, positioning itself strongly in the music tech market.

Partnerships and Customers

• Investors as Strategic Partners: In April 2023, eNote secured €10 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Dieter von Holzbrinck Ventures (DvH Ventures), the European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund), and the Rudolf Fuchs Family Office. These investors are not only providing capital but also strategic support to scale eNote’s platform globally.
• Publishing Houses: The company’s digital sheet music library includes thousands of editions from essential classical music publishers such as Henle Verlag, Bärenreiter, Breitkopf & Härtel, Peters Edition, and Durand. These partnerships enable eNote to offer high-quality Urtext editions widely recognized in classical music education and performance.
• Musicians as Customers: Over 70,000 musicians have adopted eNote's app since its launch on Apple’s App Store. This user base represents both individual consumers and educational entities benefiting from accessible digital sheet music.

Nature of New Relationships

• The recent funding partnership with DvH Ventures and EIC Fund reflects a shared vision to democratize access to quality sheet music through advanced AI technology. This relationship supports innovation in optical music recognition (OMR) — crucial for converting historical written scores into reliable digital formats.
• Collaborations with leading publishing houses give eNote exclusive access to valuable content rights while ensuring authenticity for users. This symbiosis strengthens their product offering by bridging traditional publishing with cutting-edge technology.

Market Positioning

These partnerships position eNote GmbH uniquely at the intersection of cultural heritage preservation and modern AI application within the global sheet music market:

• By working closely with prominent investors who understand both business potential and cultural impact, eNote gains credibility alongside financial backing critical for scaling operations internationally.
• Partnering directly with major classical publishers ensures a comprehensive content library that appeals broadly—from students to professional musicians—thus reinforcing market leadership in intelligent digital sheet music solutions.

Contribution to Technology Advancement & Scaling

The new relationships facilitate significant technological advancements:

• The investment enables further development of their proprietary AI technologies focused on Optical Music Recognition (OMR), which is key to unlocking new features like interactive scores that support practice tools such as smart drawing or automatic highlighting.
• Funding will accelerate innovation aimed at expanding educational applications of their software while continuously growing their digital score library through ongoing curation and addition of new pieces weekly.

In terms of scaling:

With strong financial backing from DvH Ventures alongside continued support from the EIC Fund—both committed partners—eNote is well positioned for international growth across Europe’s highly fragmented yet culturally rich markets.

In summary, post-EIC Accelerator funding success has enabled eNote GmbH not only to secure influential partners including DvH Ventures and key publishing houses but also empowered it technologically via AI innovations tailored for digitizing musical heritage. These relationships enhance its competitive edge by supporting continuous product improvement while scaling user adoption globally among musicians seeking affordable quality digital sheet music solutions.

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Sources: - DvH Ventures leads €10 million pre-series A for Enote

• Silicon Canals - Enote bags €10M
• Music Business Worldwide - Enote raises €10M
• The SaaS News - Enote Raises €10 Million

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding in October 2021, eNote GmbH, a German music technology startup, has experienced significant team and company growth alongside product development.

Team Growth and Headcount

• While exact current headcount numbers for eNote are not publicly stated, the company describes itself as home to “some of the brightest minds from the music and technology industries,” indicating a specialized team with expertise in AI, musicology, and app development.
• Their community of users has grown substantially to over 50,000 musicians worldwide by the end of 2022 and further expanded to over 100,000 musicians by early 2025. This user base growth suggests parallel scaling in their internal team size to support such expansion.

Hiring Status and Recent Additions

• There is no explicit public announcement about ongoing hiring or specific recent hires at eNote.
• However, their rapid product enhancements—quadrupling their digital sheet music library in 2022; launching advanced AI-powered features like automated annotation tools; expanding repertoire including vocalists and guitarists’ works; plus plans for new functionalities such as score uploading—imply active recruitment especially for roles skilled in AI development, software engineering, musicology research, and UX/UI design.

Impact of Team Expansion on Company Growth

• The growing team supports ambitious goals: creating a comprehensive digital standard for sheet music via proprietary AI Optical Music Recognition (OMR), Automated Music Transcription from audio input in real time (enabling features like Automatic Page Turning), Natural Audio Synthesis for realistic instrument accompaniment previews, as well as Artificial Composition capabilities that adapt compositions stylistically.
• Increased personnel expertise accelerates innovation cycles allowing eNote to scale its platform’s scope—from initially solo/chamber repertoire towards full orchestral scores—and improve usability through smart navigation aids tailored for professional musicians.
• New talent likely enables tackling complex tasks such as integration with open-source engraving libraries (Verovio) and encoding standards (MEI), which require interdisciplinary skills spanning computer science to classical music scholarship.

Management or Founding Team Changes

No major changes or announcements regarding management or founding members have been disclosed since their EIC Accelerator award. The leadership appears focused on steady technical progress rather than organizational restructuring.

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In summary:

Aspect	Details
Current headcount	Not publicly specified; implied moderate-sized specialized tech & musicology team
Team growth since funding	Significant growth inferred due to rapid product/library expansion & doubling user base
Hiring	No direct info but likely ongoing recruitment given scaling ambitions
Key recent hires	Not detailed publicly
Impact on future/growth	Expanded R&D staff enables advanced AI features implementation & broader repertoire coverage
Management changes	None reported

eNote’s evolving multidisciplinary team strengthens its position as an innovative leader making classical sheet music digitally accessible worldwide while preparing it for future scaling through continuous technological advancement.

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Sources:

• Another incredible year - Enote Blog
• About Us - Enote
• Enote: Intelligent Sheet Music on the App Store

7 The Media Features and Publications

Overview of eNote GmbH

eNote GmbH, a German company, is known for developing an innovative digital sheet music platform. The company received EIC Accelerator funding in October 2021, which has likely supported its growth and development in the music technology sector.

Media Features and Publications

• Press Releases and Media Outreach: eNote has an active press section where they provide press releases, images, and logos for media use. They also offer contact information for arranging interviews and features.
• Classical Music UK: This publication highlighted eNote's development of artificial intelligence systems capable of reconstructing centuries of paper scores, showcasing their innovative approach to digital sheet music.
• EU-Startups: While not providing detailed publications about eNote, this platform lists eNote among its startup directory, indicating its recognition within the European startup ecosystem.

Podcasts or Interviews

Currently, there is no specific information available about podcasts or interviews featuring eNote GmbH. However, their media outreach efforts suggest they are open to such collaborations.

Conference and Fair Visits

Product Event at the Pierre Boulez Saal: eNote announced a product event at the Pierre Boulez Saal in Berlin to unveil their sheet music app. This event likely featured presentations and demonstrations of their technology.

Involvement in Events

Beta Testing and Launch: eNote has been involved in beta testing phases and has launched its app on platforms like the App Store, marking significant milestones in its development journey.

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Used Sources: - Enote Press

• Enote: Intelligent Sheet Music
• Enote: new digital sheet music app - Classical-music.uk
• Enote | EU-Startups