1 The EIC Accelerator Project

EIC Accelerator Program: Overview and Funding Structure

The EIC Accelerator program, part of the European Innovation Council (EIC), is designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups with high-impact innovations. It focuses particularly on those operating within the DeepTech sector, which includes advanced technologies and complex scientific innovations. The program aims to stimulate innovation across Europe, fostering the development of groundbreaking solutions that can shape various industries.

The EIC Accelerator offers a unique funding structure that combines grants and equity investments. The funding can reach up to €2.5 million in the form of a grant, which is non-repayable and intended to support the development and scaling of innovative projects. Additionally, businesses can receive equity funding of up to €15 million until 2024, with a reduced cap of €10 million starting in 2025. This blended finance approach allows companies to leverage both non-dilutive grant support and dilutive equity funding, thereby enhancing their financial flexibility.

Purpose of the EIC Accelerator

The primary purpose of the EIC Accelerator is to empower European startups and SMEs to scale their innovations and attract private investment. By offering substantial financial support, the program reduces the financial risks associated with early-stage innovation and helps companies navigate the challenging journey from concept to commercialization. This initiative is crucial in the European DeepTech ecosystem, where high capital requirements and long development timelines can present significant barriers to entry. The EIC Accelerator serves as a catalyst, encouraging investment from private sectors by providing initial funding that demonstrates the viability and potential of innovative solutions.

Role in Scaling Companies

The EIC Accelerator plays a pivotal role in helping companies scale by providing tailored support beyond financial backing. It offers access to a network of experienced mentors, potential partners, and industry experts who can assist startups in refining their business strategies, optimizing operational efficiencies, and navigating regulatory landscapes. The program also facilitates connections with investors, thereby enhancing the likelihood of securing additional funding and accelerating market entry.

EIC Accelerator Winner: SIMPLICITY WORKS EUROPE SL

Company Profile
SIMPLICITY WORKS EUROPE SL, based in Spain, emerged as a winner of the EIC Accelerator for its innovative project titled 3D Bonding. The company specializes in revolutionizing the footwear manufacturing process through the introduction of a novel industrial method.

Project Overview: 3D Bonding
The 3D Bonding project aims to enhance traditional footwear manufacturing by integrating advanced bonding technology. This process significantly improves the efficiency, comfort, and durability of footwear products, addressing common challenges faced by manufacturers and consumers alike.

Technology Basics and Background

The 3D Bonding technology is rooted in advanced materials science and engineering principles. Traditional footwear manufacturing often relies on adhesives and stitching, which can lead to inconsistencies in product quality and increased production times. In contrast, the 3D Bonding technique utilizes innovative bonding agents and methods that allow different materials to be fused together at a molecular level. This results in stronger, lighter, and more comfortable footwear with improved performance characteristics.

The technology is designed to be adaptable, enabling manufacturers to work with a variety of materials, including synthetic and natural fibers. The ability to bond materials without compromising their integrity opens new possibilities for design and functionality, allowing for innovative shapes and styles that were previously unachievable. The environmental impact of this technology is also a significant advantage, as it minimizes waste and utilizes eco-friendly materials, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable production practices.

Conclusion

The success of SIMPLICITY WORKS EUROPE SL in securing EIC Accelerator funding for the 3D Bonding project exemplifies the program's effectiveness in nurturing groundbreaking innovations within the European startup ecosystem. By providing substantial financial support and access to invaluable resources, the EIC Accelerator facilitates the growth and scaling of transformative technologies that can redefine industries, such as footwear manufacturing. The integration of advanced bonding techniques not only enhances product quality but also positions manufacturers to respond to evolving market demands, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and innovative future.

2 The Funding Rounds

SIMPLICITY WORKS EUROPE SL: Funding & Financial Events Since EIC Accelerator Award

Overview

SIMPLICITY WORKS EUROPE SL, based in Spain, received notable support from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program in October 2021. This analysis details all publicly available data on its financing raised, funding rounds—including amounts and timing—investors involved, company valuation information, and any exit events since the EIC award.

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Financing Raised and Funding Rounds

• The company has raised a total of approximately $2.03 million across two primary funding rounds.
• Key grants include:
• October 2018: €50,000 grant from the European Innovation Council.
• October 2021: €1.3 million grant from the European Innovation Council (aligned with their successful EIC Accelerator application).
• A significant seed round occurred on December 27, 2021, raising $2.03 million.

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Timing and Amount of Funding Rounds

Date	Type	Source/Investor	Amount
Oct 2018	Grant	European Innovation Council (EIC)	€50,000 (~$57K)
Oct 2021	Grant	European Innovation Council (EIC)	€1.3M (~$1.45M)
Dec 27, 2021	Seed	Not specified	$2.03M

Note: Currency conversions are approximate.

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Investor Information

• The main disclosed investor is the European Innovation Council via its competitive grants.
• Other parties mentioned in various listings as partners or network connections include Binomio Ventures and EIT Manufacturing, but specific equity investment figures or roles are not detailed.
• There is no public record of major venture capital firms or private equity investors leading disclosed equity rounds to date.

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Company Valuations

• No official post-money valuations have been published for SIMPLICITY WORKS EUROPE SL following these funding events.
• Available financial profiles indicate modest annual revenues under €2 million as of recent filings.

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Exit Events: IPOs, Buyouts & Acquisitions

• As of April 23rd, 2025:
• There are no records indicating that SIMPLICITY WORKS EUROPE SL has undergone an IPO.
• No acquisitions or buyout events have been reported for this company.

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Summary Table

Event Type	Timing	Investors/Source	Amount
Grant	Oct 2018	EIC	€50k
Grant	Oct 2021	EIC	€1.3m
Seed Round	Dec 27, 2021 Not specified $2.03m

No further institutional/private equity fundraising nor exit event has been reported up to current date.*

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Sources

• Simplicity Works – Startup Lithuania
• SIMPLICITY WORKS Stock Price & Financials – CB Insights
• The Company – Simplicity Works Official Site
• Dealroom Profile – Simplicity Works
• Dealroom Portugal Profile – Simplicity Works
• Infoempresa Company Report – SIMPLICITY WORKS EUROPE SL
• South Moravia Business Ecosystem Profile

No evidence was found for additional equity rounds beyond those listed above; there is also no publicly confirmed valuation figure or exit event as of April 23rd 2025.

3 The Press Releases

Since winning the EIC Accelerator funding in October 2021, Simplicity Works Europe SL, a Spanish company specializing in advanced manufacturing technologies for footwear and other consumer goods, has focused on developing and commercializing its patented 3D Bonding technology. This innovative process uses an injection technique to bond different materials three-dimensionally within seconds, creating a stable skeleton structure without seams or stitching. It significantly reduces labor requirements by up to 70%, cuts material waste (leather and fabric) by approximately 30%, and lowers energy use by about 30% due to proximity production advantages.

Technology Advancements

• The company developed the core “Assembly Station-AS” as part of a flexible manufacturing system that integrates multiple operations into fewer steps using their patented 3D Bonding technology.
• This system involves conveyor lines connected to specialized assembly stations that automate upper piece placement and shoe molding before injection bonding occurs.
• Their approach combines advanced manufacturing expertise (including partners like DESMA), chemical engineering collaborations with Huntsman, and bespoke process design from Simplicity Works.
• By eliminating traditional stitching processes through this injection bonding method, they enable better mechanical properties such as improved comfort, adaptation, impermeability, and sustainability in footwear production.

Partnerships

• Collaboration with DESMA has been crucial; DESMA is involved in developing new machinery compatible with Simplicity Works’ technology.
• Other industry partners mentioned include Dürkopp Adler (likely related to industrial sewing/assembly equipment), Optron (possibly automation or optical systems), Huntsman (chemical engineering for adhesives/materials), AMF (manufacturing trials).

Business Progress & Goals

• After successful pilots including an industrial trial at AMF factory in Portugal around September 2018 validating their process feasibility commercially,
• They targeted product commercialization starting Q4 of 2021,
• Aiming for more than 100 licenses/systems sold by end of 2022,
• With revenue targets exceeding €8.8 million for the same period,
• Planning balanced market presence between Europe and USA long term,
• And achieving payback plus ROI goals within two years post-launch.

Intellectual Property

The company holds over sixteen patents related to its unique designs around the core invention of "3D Bonding," emphasizing their proprietary know-how not previously existing or believed possible within traditional industries.

Team & Vision

Led by lifetime entrepreneur inventors holding numerous patents themselves alongside motivated engineers, Simplicity Works pursues sustainable innovation aiming at transforming labor-intensive industries like footwear into more automated, less wasteful sectors closer to customers—reducing offshore dependency while increasing social responsibility.

No specific press releases or blog posts were found publicly available on their website simplicity.works or social media channels detailing updates beyond general corporate information; however detailed project reports submitted under European Commission programs describe progress milestones extensively. There also appears no independent press release archive directly accessible from their website.

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Summary: Since receiving EIC Accelerator funding after submission October 6th, 2021 Step2 proposal success and Step3 interview win, Simplicity Works Europe SL has advanced its groundbreaking patented "3D Bonding" technology through industrial collaboration principally with DESMA. They have demonstrated successful pilot productions aimed at disrupting conventional footwear manufacturing via dramatic reductions in labor intensity and material waste while enhancing product quality. Their ongoing commercial ambitions focus on licensing manufacture globally supported by solid patent protection.

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Sources: - THE COMPANY - SIMPLICITYWORKS

• simplicity.works - Partners & Process
• EuroQuity Profile: SIMPLICITY WORKS EUROPE S.L
• CORDIS Project Reporting: New industrial process for shoe manufacturing using 3dbonding

4 The Technology Advancements

Overview of Simplicity Works Europe SL

Simplicity Works Europe SL, a Spanish company, has been at the forefront of innovation in manufacturing technology, particularly with its patented 3D Bonding technology. This technology is designed to revolutionize the production process in industries such as footwear, bags, and car seats by significantly reducing labor-intensive stitching operations.

Current Capabilities

• 3D Bonding Technology: This technology allows for the simultaneous bonding of different materials, such as leather, fabric, and rubber, in a few seconds. It creates a stable three-dimensional skeleton without overlapping seams, which is distinct from traditional 3D printing methods that cannot bond authentic materials like leather.
• Sustainability and Efficiency: The technology reduces labor requirements by up to 70%, saves leather and fabric consumption by about 50%, and decreases energy usage by 30% compared to traditional manufacturing methods.
• Market Impact: It has the potential to transform industries by enabling local production, reducing offshore manufacturing, and promoting a more sustainable and socially responsible supply chain.

Advancements Since Receiving EIC Accelerator Funding

Since receiving funding in October 2021, Simplicity Works has continued to develop and refine its 3D Bonding technology. The company has been working on commercializing this technology and expanding its applications across various sectors.

• Commercialization Efforts: After successful pilots, the company aims to bring the technology to the market, focusing on overcoming barriers such as setting up a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) process and increasing awareness among stakeholders.
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaboration with companies like DESMA has been crucial in developing a more flexible manufacturing system for footwear using 3D Bonding.

Technology Improvements and Demonstrations

• Technology Improvements: The company has emphasized the integration of its technology with Industry 4.0 projects, incorporating co-working robots, 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and big data to create a more efficient manufacturing system.
• Market Demonstrations: There have been successful industrial trials, such as at AMF's factory in Portugal, which validated the technology's potential in real-world applications.

Patents and Publications

• Patent Development: While there is no specific mention of new patents filed directly related to 3D Bonding since the funding, Simplicity Works has over 16 patents related to this technology. Inventors like Adrian Hernandez have been involved in various innovations, though not explicitly linked to recent advancements.
• Scientific Studies or Whitepapers: There is no publicly available information on new scientific studies or whitepapers published by Simplicity Works specifically related to the advancements of 3D Bonding technology since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding.

Sources

• Simplicity Works
• The Company - Simplicity Works
• Simplicity Works Europe S.L.
• Patents Assigned to Simplicity
• 3D Bonding
• New Industrial Process for Shoe Manufacturing Using 3D Bonding
• Adrian Hernandez Inventions
• Contact - Simplicity Works

5 The Partnerships and Customers

SIMPLICITY WORKS EUROPE SL, a Spanish company awarded the EIC Accelerator funding in October 2021, has established significant partnerships and customer relationships that position it well in the footwear manufacturing industry through its patented 3D Bonding technology.

Partnerships and Customers

• SIMPLICITY WORKS collaborates with several renowned companies and technology partners across the footwear sector. Notable associated entities include major footwear brands such as CLARK'S, WOLVERINE, NIKE, NEW BALANCE, ADIDAS, and luxury brand LOUIS VUITTON.
• Industrial partners involved in their technology development include DESMA (a manufacturer of injection molding machines), Dürkopp Adler (sewing machine manufacturer), Huntsman (chemical engineering), Optron, and AMF. The collaboration with DESMA is particularly important as they have jointly developed a flexible manufacturing system based on 3D Bonding technology to streamline shoe production lines.

Nature of New Relationships

• The partnerships are primarily focused on integrating SIMPLICITY WORKS’ groundbreaking 3D Bonding process into existing industrial manufacturing setups. This injection-based bonding process replaces traditional stitching methods by bonding materials tridimensionally within seconds to create stable shoe structures without seams.
• The collaboration with DESMA resulted in an “Assembly Station” concept for automated operations on new molds combined with conveyor lines for efficient production flow. This allows for significant reductions in labor intensity—up to 70% less manpower—and material savings of about 30% leather consumption alongside energy savings from localizing production closer to customers.
• Their "Eco Challenge" project envisions industrial parks where manufacturers and key suppliers co-locate using ERP software integration for just-in-time delivery under environmentally conscious principles. This reflects a broader purpose toward sustainable manufacturing alongside operational efficiency.

Market Positioning Impact

• These relationships place SIMPLICITY WORKS EUROPE SL at the forefront of innovation in footwear manufacturing by enabling localized production closer to end markets rather than relying heavily on offshore low-cost labor hubs typical of Asia.
• By reducing waste (10–40% material saved depending on methods) and improving comfort and durability via improved mechanical properties inherent to their bonded materials approach, they offer both environmental benefits and product quality advantages that appeal strongly to premium brands aiming at sustainability goals.

Technology Advancement & Scaling Benefits

• Working closely with specialized machinery manufacturers like DESMA accelerates refining prototype lines into fully scalable commercial systems capable of high throughput while maintaining quality standards certified under ISO norms for safety shoes (ISO 20345:2011).
• Collaboration across chemical engineering firms such as Huntsman ensures optimization of polymer injections critical for creating durable skeletons within bonded products. Integration with ERP systems among partners supports scalability by synchronizing supply chains efficiently within Eco Challenge's vision.

In summary, through strategic partnerships mainly spanning leading global footwear brands along with specialized industrial equipment makers like DESMA and chemical engineers such as Huntsman, SIMPLICITY WORKS EUROPE SL has positioned itself strongly not only as an innovator delivering breakthrough bonding tech but also as a driver towards sustainable localized manufacturing ecosystems. These collaborations enhance both technological advancement — accelerating commercialization readiness —and scaling capabilities while reinforcing its market positioning around eco-friendly efficient shoe production solutions.

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Sources:

• simplicity.works - Partners
• Tech Partners - simplicity.work
• EuroQuity profile - Simplicity Works Europe S.L
• CORDIS report on new industrial process using 3dbonding
• BOND WITH US - Simplicity Works

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

Simplicity Works Europe SL, a Spanish company specializing in patented 3D Bonding technology for the footwear and related industries, has experienced notable team growth and development since receiving EIC Accelerator funding in October 2021.

Team Growth and Current Headcount

• The publicly available information does not specify an exact current headcount or team size. However, it is known that Simplicity Works has built a motivated engineering team responsible for developing their unique 3D Bonding technology and holding more than 16 patents.
• The company focuses on innovation with proprietary technology that replaces traditional stitching methods with an advanced polymer injection process, which suggests a specialized technical workforce primarily composed of engineers and manufacturing experts.

Hiring Activity and Key Positions

• There is no direct public indication from the given sources about current hiring status or specific recent hires by Simplicity Works.
• Given their ongoing development of a pilot plant funded by over €1.8 million subsidy to scale Industry 4.0 applications, it is reasonable to infer that they may be expanding roles related to engineering, manufacturing scale-up experts, product development specialists, or industrial engineers to support this growth phase.

Growth Impact on Company Future

• The addition of new team members likely supports scaling production capabilities of the patented 3D Bonding process. This aligns with the company's mission to revolutionize footwear manufacturing by reducing labor intensity up to 70%, saving materials up to 30%, and enabling sustainable local production instead of offshoring.
• Expanding the engineering team helps preserve intellectual property while preparing for commercial deployment at scale through pilot plants—crucial steps toward market expansion.

Management Changes

No major changes in management or founding teams have been reported in available data since winning EIC funding.

In summary, while precise headcount figures are unavailable publicly for Simplicity Works Europe SL as of April 2025, their technological innovation focus supported by significant EU funding indicates ongoing strategic hiring in engineering and manufacturing roles. This growth enables them to advance from prototype phases toward scalable industrial production within Industry 4.0 frameworks—positioning them well for future commercial success in sustainable footwear manufacturing.

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Sources:

• THE COMPANY - SIMPLICITYWORKS
• Simplicity Works Europe S.L - EuroQuity
• CONTACT - SIMPLICITYWORKS

7 The Media Features and Publications

Simplicity Works Europe SL, a Spanish company notable for its patented 3D Bonding technology revolutionizing footwear manufacturing, has garnered attention in various media and industry platforms since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding in October 2021.

Media Features and Publications

• Simplicity Works Europe SL has been featured primarily in specialized industrial and innovation platforms highlighting its breakthrough 3D Bonding technology. This technology allows bonding different materials three-dimensionally without stitching, significantly reducing labor by up to 70%, saving leather consumption by about 30%, and improving product qualities like comfort and impermeability. It is recognized as a game changer within the footwear sector for enabling more sustainable, socially responsible production closer to consumer markets rather than offshore low-cost labor locations.
• The company’s innovative approach was also acknowledged through awards such as the iF Design Award for their "INFINITY" completed injection shoe line that employs this patented bonding method.
• EuroQuity features detailed profiles of Simplicity Works emphasizing its manufacturing process innovation alongside partner collaborations with entities like DESMA, Hunstman, and UMH University on advanced chemical engineering and process design.

Podcasts or Interviews

There are no direct records from search results indicating podcasts or interviews featuring Simplicity Works Europe's team specifically. However, related startup ecosystem podcasts such as EU-Startups Podcast discuss innovation-driven companies but not Simplicity Works directly. No other podcast appearances were found.

Conference Participation & Event Involvement

While no explicit conference presentations or trade fair participations are documented in the available sources online explicitly naming Simplicity Works Europe SL, their industrial trials (such as those conducted at AMF factory Portugal) indicate active engagement with manufacturing partners in real industrial environments to validate their process innovations. This suggests involvement at least on a project collaboration level within industry events or networking settings.

Summary of Company Positioning Since EIC Accelerator Funding

Since winning the EIC Accelerator funding round on October 6th, 2021:

• The company focused on commercializing its novel footwear assembly system based on the Assembly Station methodology.
• They have aimed to sell licenses and complete manufacturing systems globally (Europe/USA split).
• Their development includes setting up minimum viable products (MVPs) to prove economic benefits against market skepticism.

No direct press releases or media interviews from Simplicity Works' leadership were found publicly available beyond corporate web presence; however, their technological impact is cited positively within specialized footwear manufacturing innovation circles.

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Sources:

• Simplicity Works profile - EuroQuity
• SimplicityWorks official website - About
• CORDIS report on New Industrial Process using 3D Bonding
• iF Design Award – INFINITY Shoe Technology