1 The EIC Accelerator Project
EIC Accelerator Program Overview
The EIC Accelerator program is a pivotal funding mechanism under the European Innovation Council (EIC) aimed at supporting innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those in the DeepTech sector. This program is designed to facilitate the scaling of high-risk, high-potential startups and SMEs by providing them with crucial financial resources and support. The EIC Accelerator offers a unique blend of grant funding and equity investment, making it a versatile tool in the European startup ecosystem.
Funding Structure
The EIC Accelerator provides blended finance, which includes a combination of grants and equity investments. The grant component can reach up to €2.5 million, intended primarily for research and development activities, as well as for market entry costs associated with innovative products or services.
In addition to the grant, the equity investment component can amount to €15 million until the end of 2024, streamlining the path for startups to secure substantial funding. Starting in 2025, this equity investment will be capped at €10 million. This dual funding mechanism is designed to alleviate the financial burden on innovative startups, allowing them to focus on development and scaling rather than solely on securing investment.
Purpose and Role in the Ecosystem
The EIC Accelerator plays an essential role in the European DeepTech and startup ecosystem by addressing the funding gap that often exists for early-stage innovative companies. Many startups struggle to secure adequate financing from traditional private sector sources due to their high-risk nature. The EIC Accelerator mitigates this challenge by providing not only financial support but also mentoring and networking opportunities, thereby enhancing the growth potential of these companies.
By fostering innovation, the EIC Accelerator contributes to the overall competitiveness of the European economy. It helps transform groundbreaking ideas into market-ready products, ultimately benefiting society through advancements in technology and services.
AlignD Systems AB and the NanoWi Project
Company Overview: AlignD Systems AB, a Swedish company, emerged as a winner of the EIC Accelerator program with its project titled NanoWi. This project is focused on developing novel, highly sensitive NanoWire sensors specifically designed for the analysis of disease biomarkers.
Project Description: The NanoWi project aims to revolutionize the field of biomarker analysis by utilizing advanced NanoWire technology. These sensors are engineered to detect minute concentrations of biological markers associated with various diseases, facilitating early diagnosis and effective monitoring of health conditions. The innovative aspect of NanoWi lies in its ability to provide rapid, accurate, and cost-effective diagnostics, which are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Technology Background
The core technology behind NanoWi is founded on the principles of nanotechnology and materials science. NanoWires are ultra-thin strands of conductive material, typically ranging from a few nanometers to several micrometers in diameter. Their unique properties, such as high surface area-to-volume ratio, allow for exceptional sensitivity to biological interactions.
In the context of disease biomarker analysis, the NanoWire sensors function through a process known as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) or electrochemical detection. These methods enable the sensors to identify specific biomarkers by measuring changes in electrical conductivity or optical properties when a target molecule binds to the sensor's surface. The design of the NanoWire sensors ensures that they can detect even the faintest signals, making them invaluable for early-stage diagnosis and health monitoring.
Conclusion
The EIC Accelerator program, with its innovative funding structure, is instrumental in nurturing high-potential startups like AlignD Systems AB. By providing critical financial support, the program empowers companies to develop and scale breakthrough technologies such as the NanoWi project. This initiative not only advances healthcare diagnostics but also strengthens the European innovation landscape, ensuring that groundbreaking ideas lead to tangible societal benefits. Through initiatives like the EIC Accelerator, Europe continues to solidify its position as a global leader in innovation and technology.
2 The Funding Rounds
Financing Raised by AlignD Systems AB (Aligned Bio) Since EIC Accelerator Funding
Background
AlignD Systems AB, operating as Aligned Bio and based in Sweden, was awarded funding via the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator following its successful application at the October 6, 2021 cutoff.
EIC Accelerator Funding Details
- Award Date: Following the October 6, 2021 cutoff
- Total Awarded: €2.3 million in direct grant funding
- Potential Additional Funding: Up to €2.3 million available through equity investment (“venture capital”) from the EIC Fund as part of a blended finance option.
The grant supports Aligned Bio's work on molecular-level biomarker detection using its proprietary Aerotaxy nanowire production process. The program duration is two years and includes collaborations with prominent international partners.
Timing and Amount of Funding Rounds
- EIC Grant Award Notification: Announced post-cutoff in late 2021.
- €2.3 million: Non-dilutive grant component awarded immediately after selection.
- Up to €2.3 million: Additional venture capital/equity component available for further scaling, subject to additional due diligence by the EIC Fund.
- Subsequent Private Round (Spring 2022):
- The company announced plans to raise an additional SEK 50–60 million (~€4.7–5.6 million at typical exchange rates) through a new share issue following the EU award announcement.
- Around this time, Aligned Bio sought private investors to join alongside public/EU support.
There are no documented later-stage rounds such as Series A or B publicly reported since then.
Investor Information
- The main disclosed investor related to post-EIC financing is the European Innovation Council via:
- Direct EU grant (€2.3M)
- Potential equity investment from the EIC Fund (up to €2.3M)
Information about private investors for subsequent share issues or their identities has not been made public as of May 2025.
Company Valuation
No explicit company valuation figures have been publicly released in connection with either: - The initial EIC Accelerator round
Valuations for deep-tech startups at this stage are typically negotiated during each round but are often not disclosed unless required by regulatory filings or press releases targeting broader investor audiences.
Exit Events (IPO/Buyout/Acquisition)
As of May 2025:
- There have been no announced IPOs
- No reported acquisitions or buyouts involving AlignD Systems AB / Aligned Bio
The company remains active and focused on delivering breakthrough innovations funded by both public grants and planned private investments.
Summary Table: Key Financing Events Since October 2021 Cutoff
Date | Event | Amount Raised | Investors | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Late 2021 | EIC Grant Award | €2.3M | European Innovation Council | Non-dilutive; supports R&D |
Late 2021+ | Potential Equity Investment | Up to €2.3M | EIC Fund | Blended finance option |
Spring '22 | Share Issue Planned | SEK50–60M (€4.7–5.6M est.) | Undisclosed private investors | Not confirmed closed/public |
No exits or published valuations reported.
Conclusion
Since winning the competitive October 6, 2021 cut-off under Horizon Europe’s EIC Accelerator program, AlignD Systems AB has secured substantial non-dilutive EU funding with a possible matching equity portion from Europe’s largest deep-tech funder—the EIC Fund—and pursued further capital through share issuance aimed at accelerating commercialization of its nanowire-based biosensor technology. As of May 2025 there are no exit events nor publicly disclosed valuation data; fundraising efforts remain ongoing within Sweden's life sciences innovation landscape.
Sources: Aligned Bio – was awarded €2.3 M in funding by the EIC Accelerator program EIC Accelerator winners and success rate (October 2021 call)
3 The Press Releases
Information on AlignD Systems AB
Overview
AlignD Systems AB is a Swedish company that received EIC Accelerator funding on October 6, 2021. However, there is limited information available about the company's recent developments, partnerships, or technology advancements following this funding. The search results primarily focus on Align Technology, Inc., which is a different company known for its Invisalign system and digital orthodontic solutions.
Align Technology, Inc. (Not AlignD Systems AB)
Although not relevant to AlignD Systems AB, it is worth noting that Align Technology, Inc. has been actively involved in various innovations and partnerships over the past few years. This includes the introduction of new Invisalign systems, digital treatment planning tools, and AI-powered diagnostic software like Align X-ray Insights for enhanced patient care and practice efficiency.
Recent Developments in Sweden
There are no specific press releases or updates found related to AlignD Systems AB following their EIC Accelerator funding. It is possible that the company may have published updates on their website or through social media channels, but these were not discovered during the search.
Conclusion
Given the lack of publicly available information on AlignD Systems AB since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding, there is limited data to report on their recent activities or advancements.Sources
- There are no specific sources available for AlignD Systems AB. However, for reference on similar topics:
- Align Technology Introduces New Software Innovations
- Align Technology Highlights Innovations From 2024 Invisalign Ortho Summit
- Align Technology Announces Invisalign System With Mandibular Advancement Featuring Occlusal Blocks
4 The Technology Advancements
AlignD Systems AB is a Swedish company that won the EIC Accelerator funding on October 6, 2021. However, there is no publicly available detailed information specifically about AlignD Systems AB’s current capabilities, technological advancements, or market demonstrations since receiving this funding in the sources retrieved. The search results predominantly reflect developments related to Align Technology Inc., a different and much larger global medical device company headquartered in the US that specializes in digital orthodontics with products like Invisalign clear aligners and iTero intraoral scanners.Current Capabilities and Advancements of AlignD Systems AB
No direct published data or announcements have been found on: - Improvements or new features introduced by AlignD Systems AB post their EIC Accelerator award.- Demonstrations of their technology in real-world settings such as customer pilots, clinical trials, or demonstrators.
- New patent filings or scientific publications attributed to AlignD Systems AB since October 2021.
Context from Other Similar Companies (e.g., Align Technology Inc.)
For comparison — although unrelated to AlignD — companies like Align Technology have showcased significant innovations including:- Launching advanced intraoral scanners with wider capture fields and improved speed/accuracy.
- Introducing integrated digital platforms combining scanning, treatment planning, remote monitoring using AI-assisted tools.
- Demonstrating these technologies extensively at industry events (e.g., IDS 2023) and through large-scale deployments involving thousands of doctors globally.
- Filing multiple patents related to scanner technology enhancements.
Summary
As of now, no specific public details are available regarding how AlignD Systems AB has evolved technologically following their receipt of EIC Accelerator funding in late 2021. There are no accessible records indicating improvements made by them to their technology platforms nor evidence they have conducted market demonstrations or clinical trials. Similarly, there are no disclosed new patents or scientific documents published by them during this period based on the searched data.Sources:
- Align Technology Q4'23 Financial Results
- The Align Digital Platform Will be Showcased at IDS 2023
- Align Technology Introduces New Software Innovations
- European Business Magazine - Invisalign APAC Summit
5 The Partnerships and Customers
AlignD Systems AB, an EIC Accelerator winner from Sweden, received funding in October 2021. However, there is no available information on specific partnerships, customers, or new developments related to this company since then. The company's website, alignedbio.com, does not provide detailed insights into its partnerships or recent advancements.Since the available search results do not contain specific information about AlignD Systems AB, it is challenging to assess how new relationships might position the company in the market or contribute to its technology advancements and scaling. Generally, partnerships and collaborations in the tech and biotech industries can significantly enhance a company's market presence by leveraging shared expertise and resources.
In the absence of specific details about AlignD Systems AB, it is essential to monitor future announcements or press releases from the company for updates on its partnerships and technological advancements.
Sources:
- Align Technology Connects With Over 1000 Doctors and Practice Staff
- Aligned Data Centers
- Aligned | The Buyer-Seller Collaboration Tool
- Align Production Systems Partners with Kollmorgen
- Align Partners & Clients
- Align Technology and Asana Announce Strategic Partnership
- Intelligent Computing: The Latest Advances, Challenges, and Future
- BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS CODE CHAPTER 152. GENERAL PARTNERSHIPS
- Aligned Marketplace Increases Total Seed Funding
- Aligned Marketplace Launches
6 The Hiring and Company Growth
AlignD Systems AB: Post-EIC Accelerator Growth and Team Dynamics While specific details about Alignd Systems AB’s hiring, team size, or headcount are not publicly available in the provided sources, here is a synthesis of relevant insights applicable to EIC Accelerator winners and gaps identified for this company:Hiring and Team Growth
EIC Accelerator funding typically enables deep-tech startups to scale operations, expand teams, and accelerate product development. For Alignd Systems AB (Sweden), such non-dilutive grants often fund roles in R&D, regulatory compliance, and market entry. However, no direct hiring announcements or team size disclosures were found for this company post-2021.Key Positions and Scaling
Recent leadership hires or technical roles would likely focus on advancing their biotechnology solutions (inferred from the domain name alignedbio.com). Strategic positions might include bioinformatics specialists or regulatory affairs experts to navigate EU medical device frameworks.Management Changes
No leadership changes were identified for Alignd Systems AB. In contrast, Align Technology—a separate entity—recently reshaped its global leadership, but this is unrelated to the Swedish startup.Future Trajectory
With EIC funding often exceeding €15 million for equity-backed companies, Alignd could leverage resources to:- Scale production: If developing medical devices/biotech tools.
- Expand geographically: Via regulatory approvals in new markets.
- Enhance R&D: To meet milestones outlined in their EIC proposal.
Sources
Data limitations prevent providing direct citations for AlignD Systems AB’s specifics. The analysis above contextualizes typical post-EIC growth patterns while flagging absent company-specific data. Below are sources referenced tangentially:
For verified details about AlignD Systems AB’s team structure or hiring status post-2021 EIC award, proprietary databases like PitchBook or official EU Commission reports would be required but were not accessible here.
Note: "Alignd" mentioned in Source appears unrelated to "AlignD Systems AB," based on contextual discrepancies.
7 The Media Features and Publications
Media Features and Public Visibility of AlignD Systems AB As of the latest available information, there is no publicly accessible data regarding media features, publications, podcasts, or conference participations explicitly mentioning AlignD Systems AB (alignedbio.com) since its EIC Accelerator win in October 2021. The search results provided focus on similarly named entities such as Align Technology (a U.S.-based medical device company) and Aligned Data Centers, but these appear unrelated to the Swedish biotechnology firm.Key observations:
- No direct coverage: No publications, press releases, or interviews referencing AlignD Systems AB were identified in the provided sources.
- Podcast absence: The podcast content referenced pertains to Lightwave Logic and audio engineering topics, with no connection to AlignD’s team or activities.
- Event involvement: There are no records of presentations, fairs, or conferences linked to AlignD Systems AB in the indexed materials.
Sources Used in Research
- Press Releases - Investors | Align Technology
- Press/News | Aligned Data Centers
- Align Technology Launches Integrated Consumer Campaign
- PODCAST: Interview with Atikem Haile, Lightwave Logic
Note: Further verification via specialized databases (e.g., European Commission reports or Swedish business registries) may yield additional insights not covered here.
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