1 The EIC Accelerator Project

EIC Accelerator Program Overview

The EIC Accelerator program, part of the European Innovation Council (EIC), aims to support innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in Europe, particularly those operating in the DeepTech sector. The program provides financial support in the form of grants and equity investments, facilitating the development and scaling of high-risk, high-potential technologies.

Funding Structure

The EIC Accelerator offers substantial funding to eligible companies, structured as follows:

Purpose and Role in the Ecosystem

The EIC Accelerator program plays a crucial role in the European startup ecosystem by fostering innovation in DeepTech and supporting companies with breakthrough technologies. It addresses the funding gap often encountered by startups, particularly in the high-risk phases of development. By providing both grants and equity, the program enhances the potential for companies to attract private investors, thereby fostering a robust innovation environment.

The EIC Accelerator not only offers financial support but also provides mentoring, networking opportunities, and access to markets. This comprehensive approach enables companies to refine their business models, enhance their technological capabilities, and better position themselves for success.

Case Study: Abzu ApS and the HCAI4ALL Project

Company Overview: Abzu ApS is a Danish startup focused on advancing artificial intelligence solutions for the health and life sciences sector. The company aims to leverage AI to enhance the decision-making processes in healthcare, ultimately improving patient outcomes and operational efficiencies.

Project Title: HCAI4ALL (Human-Centric AI for Health and Life Sciences)

Funding Type: Grant first

Submission Details: Abzu submitted its Step 2 proposal for the EIC Accelerator on June 15, 2022, and was later selected for a Step 3 interview, culminating in a successful funding award.

Project Description

The HCAI4ALL project focuses on developing a human-centric artificial intelligence platform tailored for the health and life sciences sectors. The platform aims to democratize access to advanced AI tools, enabling healthcare professionals to utilize sophisticated data analytics and machine learning algorithms in their daily operations.

Technology Basics and Background:

Summary

The EIC Accelerator program represents a vital initiative in the European innovation landscape, providing essential financial support to startups and SMEs in the DeepTech domain. Abzu ApS, with its HCAI4ALL project, exemplifies the type of innovative solutions the program seeks to promote. By focusing on human-centric AI for health and life sciences, Abzu aims to transform healthcare delivery, making advanced technologies accessible and effective for professionals and patients alike. Through the support of the EIC Accelerator, Abzu is well-positioned to scale its operations and make a meaningful impact in the healthcare sector. For more information, visit abzu.ai.

2 The Funding Rounds

Financing Raised

Abzu ApS, a Danish and Spanish deep-tech company specializing in explainable artificial intelligence for pharmaceutical R&D, has raised a total of €13.6 million as of early 2025. This includes both venture capital (VC) investments and public funding.

• VC funding: €10.2 million.
• EIC Accelerator grant: €2.5 million at the maximum allowed by the program.

The company received its EIC Accelerator grant following the June 2022 call, where it was one of only 75 startups selected out of nearly 1,000 applicants for this highly competitive European Union funding scheme.

Funding Rounds

Pre-seed & Seed rounds

• By April–June 2021, Abzu had raised approximately €6 million in its seed phase to strengthen product development teams in both Barcelona and Copenhagen.
• The round included contributions from Nordic investors such as Seed Capital, Inventure, PreSeed Ventures, and several business angels.
• Prior to this seed round (€5.8M closed in April 2021), Abzu had already secured about €2.9 million from earlier investments/rounds.

EIC Accelerator Grant (Grant-First Modality)

• Date awarded: October 2022 (following submission on June 15, 2022).
• Amount: €2.5 million non-dilutive grant.
• The "grant-first" modality leaves open potential equity investment by the EIC Fund up to an additional €15 million but does not confirm that any equity investment has been received so far.

Timing and Amounts of Funding Rounds

Date	Round	Amount Raised	Notable Details
Pre-April 2021	Pre-seed	~€2.9M	Early-stage VC & angel backing
Apr–Jun 2021	Seed	~€6M (€5.8M–€6M)	Led by Seed Capital, Inventure; boosted Barcelona ops
Oct 2022	Public Grant (EIC Accelerator)	€2.5M	Highly competitive EU innovation grant

Total raised including all rounds/grants as publicly disclosed is roughly consistent with Abzu's reported cumulative fundraising figure (€13.6M). This suggests additional undisclosed interim/incremental rounds or convertible notes may be included.

Investor Information

Key investors include: - Inventure: Nordic venture fund specializing in tech-enabled companies; participated since at least pre-seed/seed stages.

• Seed Capital: Denmark-based VC backing high-potential startups at early stages; instrumental in major seed round(s).
• PreSeed Ventures: Another leading early-stage investor involved since initial phases.
• Vaekstfonden: Danish state investment fund supporting innovation-driven companies.

Additionally: - Business angels have contributed across pre-seed/seed phases—primarily from Nordic countries.

Public sector support: - European Innovation Council (EIC): Provided non-dilutive grant via the prestigious Accelerator program with future possibility for significant equity-backed financing via the EIC Fund (up to €15M under current rules), though no such equity transaction is confirmed as closed for Abzu yet.

Company Valuations

No explicit public disclosures are available regarding post-money or implied valuations resulting from these funding rounds up through Q1/Q2 of 2025 across cited sources.

Typically for deep-tech AI startups securing multi-million euro seed plus public grants within Europe’s top-tier programs like EIC Accelerator—and backed by renowned VCs—valuations can range widely depending on technology maturity and traction but remain confidential barring IPO/M&A events or regulatory filings.

Exit Events: IPOs or Acquisitions

There are no reports or evidence indicating that Abzu ApS has undergone an exit event such as an initial public offering (IPO), acquisition/buyout by another firm, or similar liquidity transaction as of May 2025 based on all available information provided.

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Sources

• Abzu® awarded multi-million EIC Accelerator grant
• Invest in Abzu: Driving breakthroughs in AI and pharma R&D
• Record-breaking investment in groundbreaking Danish AI – Abzu announces a € 5.8m e-seed round
• Abzu awarded multi-million EIC Accelerator grant – CataloniaBio & HealthTech
• Abzu x Innovayt // EIC Accelerator

-The Catalan-Danish startup Abzu closes an investment round of six million euros

3 The Press Releases

Abzu ApS: A Danish EIC Accelerator Winner

Abzu ApS, a Danish and Spanish deep-tech startup, was awarded a multi-million Euro grant under the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program in June 2022. This funding was part of the highly competitive June cutoff, where Abzu was among 75 successful startups out of nearly 1,000 applicants.

Technology Advancements

Abzu is disrupting the pharmaceutical industry with its proprietary trustworthy artificial intelligence technology, specifically the QLattice AI engine. The QLattice is a novel, transparent, and trustworthy AI algorithm designed to be both human-centric and high-performing. The company is utilizing the €2.5 million grant to further develop its discovery SaaS product, which aims to make the QLattice's interpretable and explainable predictions widely accessible.

Press Releases and Updates

Abzu published a press release announcing the EIC Accelerator grant, highlighting its plans to expand into other high-risk AI application areas such as fintech, energy, and critical infrastructure. The release also mentioned the anticipated early release of the Abzu AI platform in the first half of 2023, although it initially referred to a platform built on the QLattice engine without specifying the name.

Partnerships and Awards

Abzu is a member of CataloniaBio & HealthTech, indicating its involvement in regional health and tech initiatives. The company has been recognized internationally for its explainable AI, with nominations and wins in various awards, including being named a Gartner Cool Vendor.

Team Updates

While specific team updates are not detailed in the press releases, the company's leadership, including CEO Casper Wilstrup, has been quoted discussing Abzu's vision for establishing Europe as a global hub for trustworthy AI.

Press Releases on Their Website and Social Media

Abzu's website contains press releases and updates about their awards and funding. However, detailed social media press releases are not explicitly mentioned in the provided information.

Sources

• Abzu Awarded Multi Million EIC Accelerator Grant
• Abzu's Award-Winning AI
• Abzu Receives EIC Accelerator Grant

4 The Technology Advancements

Overview of Abzu ApS

Abzu ApS, based in Denmark, specializes in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for pharmaceutical research and development (R&D), particularly focusing on RNA therapeutics. The company utilizes its proprietary AI platform, QLattice, to design better compounds for RNA therapeutics by considering factors such as thermodynamics, genetic variation, and drug properties.

Advancements Post-EIC Accelerator Funding

In June 2022, Abzu received the EIC Accelerator funding of €2.5 million, which supported the development of their AI platform built on the QLattice engine. This platform is designed to make interpretable and explainable predictions widely accessible. The funding enabled Abzu to further develop its discovery SaaS product, enhancing its user-friendly interface and operational ease.

Improvements in Technology

Post-funding, Abzu has emphasized the expansion of its AI platform to increase accessibility and usability across various industries, including high-risk sectors like fintech and energy. The focus on explainable AI has been a key driver in Abzu's technological advancements, aiming to establish Europe as a global hub for trustworthy AI.

Market Demonstration and Clinical Trials

While specific details on clinical trials are not readily available, Abzu has positioned itself as a one-stop shop for design and in-vitro screening, offering direct benefits to clients seeking data-driven drug design solutions. This approach suggests their technology is being demonstrated through collaborative projects and internal research, though details on external trials or pilots with customers are not explicitly mentioned.

New Patents, Studies, or Whitepapers

There is no specific information available regarding new patent filings, scientific studies, or whitepapers published by Abzu since receiving the EIC funding. However, Abzu continues to engage in discussions and analyses on AI in pharma R&D, highlighting their commitment to advancing the field through explainable and high-performing AI solutions.

Conclusion

Abzu ApS has made significant strides in AI-driven pharma R&D since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding. They have focused on enhancing their AI platform's accessibility and expanding its applications, solidifying their position in the pharmaceutical industry.

Sources: - Abzu

• Abzu: About Us/Investors
• Abzu Company Information
• Abzu News and Media
• Abzu Press Release: EIC Accelerator Grant
• Abzu Reps EIC Accelerator Grant

5 The Partnerships and Customers

Abzu ApS Partnerships and Strategic Positioning Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Since securing EIC Accelerator funding in mid-2022, Abzu has focused on expanding its partnerships and commercialization efforts, particularly in pharmaceutical drug discovery. While specific customer names remain undisclosed due to confidentiality agreements common in the industry, collaborative dynamics and strategic alliances highlight their market trajectory.

Key Partnerships and Collaborations

• Undisclosed Pharmaceutical Companies: Multiple blue-chip pharmaceutical firms are using Abzu’s QLattice platform to improve drug discovery efficiency, with one collaboration achieving a "significant" improvement in hit-rate selection within three months. These partnerships validate Abzu’s explainable AI models for target identification and preclinical optimization.
• Contera Pharma: A joint project aims to develop a rapid screening application for nucleic acid-based therapeutics (e.g., ASOs), leveraging parallel hypothesis testing to accelerate therapeutic design. This partnership underscores Abzu’s role in RNA drug development.
• NASA GeneLab: Collaborative research identified gene combinations linked to astronaut skin rashes during space missions, demonstrating cross-industry applicability of Abzu’s AI for biomedical challenges.

Market Positioning Through New Relationships

Abzu’s alliances emphasize trustworthy AI for high-stakes industries like biotech and finance. Their ISO 27001:2022 certification strengthens credibility for handling sensitive data, while collaborations with CataloniaBio & HealthTech enhance visibility in Europe’s biopharma sector. The company positions itself as a leader in transparent AI solutions critical for regulatory compliance and scientific trust—factors increasingly prioritized by pharmaceutical regulators.

Technological Advancements via Collaborations

Partnerships drive iterative improvements to the QLattice platform:

• Explainability Focus: Contera Pharma’s use case refines model interpretability for complex biological datasets.
• Cross-Domain Validation: NASA GeneLab projects test adaptability under unique constraints (e.g., microgravity), informing robustness enhancements.

Scaling is supported by expanded recruitment plans (from 18 employees pre-funding toward 30) and commercial traction across multiple verticals beyond healthcare, including fintech (as highlighted at Nordic Fintech Week 2023).

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Sources

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

Abzu ApS: Growth and Development

Abzu ApS, based in Denmark, is a pioneering company in AI-driven pharmaceutical research and development. Since winning the EIC Accelerator funding on June 15, 2022, Abzu has been focusing on expanding its innovative capabilities in RNA therapeutics design.

Current Headcount and Team Size

As of the latest available data, specific information about Abzu's current headcount and team size is not publicly disclosed.

Hiring and Team Growth

While there is no detailed information on whether Abzu is currently hiring, the receipt of EIC Accelerator funding typically supports companies in scaling their operations. This often involves expanding teams to enhance research and development capabilities.

Growth and Key Positions

Since securing funding, Abzu would likely focus on strategic hires in areas like AI research, data science, and pharmaceutical development. These positions are crucial for advancing its AI-powered drug design platform and enhancing its capabilities in RNA therapeutics.

Impact of New Team Members

New team members at Abzu would play a vital role in scaling the company's AI-driven research. By integrating diverse skill sets in AI, biology, and pharmaceutical development, Abzu can further refine its predictive models, improve the efficiency of its drug design process, and accelerate the development of RNA therapeutics.

Management and Founding Team Changes

There is no publicly available information regarding significant changes in Abzu's management or founding team since the EIC Accelerator funding.

Future Prospects

The EIC Accelerator funding has positioned Abzu to leverage AI more effectively in pharmaceutical research. By expanding its team with specialists in AI and drug development, Abzu is poised to enhance its innovative drug design processes, potentially leading to breakthroughs in RNA therapeutics and contributing significantly to the pharmaceutical industry's future.

Sources

Abzu: Trustworthy, explainable AI for pharma R&D Abzu's security policy

7 The Media Features and Publications

Abzu ApS: Media Presence and Public Engagements Since 2022 EIC Accelerator Funding

Abzu ApS, the Denmark-based AI company specializing in explainable AI for pharmaceutical R&D, has maintained a visible presence in media, podcasts, and industry events. While specific details about their participation in conferences or fairs post-2022 are not publicly documented in the available sources, their activities include notable media features and podcast engagements:

Media Features

Abzu’s work has been highlighted by international outlets focusing on its proprietary QLattice® technology, which accelerates drug discovery through transparent AI models. The company emphasizes merit-based media recognition, with coverage stemming from innovations in RNA therapeutics design and biopharmaceutical applications.

Podcasts & Interviews

• The Healthtech Podcast (2021): Founder Casper Wilstrup discussed Abzu’s mission to replace black-box AI with explainable models for clinical trial analysis and drug discovery.
• AI for Pharma Growth: Dr. Andree Bates and Wilstrup explored how the QLattice® algorithm enhances disease understanding and compound design.
• Danish Tech Podcasts: Multiple appearances by Abzoids (employees) explaining their self-management philosophy and advancements in symbolic AI.

Event Participation

Publicly disclosed events focus on podcast interviews rather than physical conferences. However, Abzu positions itself as a thought leader in trustworthy AI through virtual engagements. Their approach emphasizes reducing project overhead via data-driven drug design workshops.

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Sources

• Abzu News
• The Healthtech Podcast: Casper Wilstrup Interview

This list includes all URLs directly referenced; additional details derive from Abzu’s website content up to June 2024 updates.