1 The EIC Accelerator Project

The EIC Accelerator Program: Empowering Innovation in Europe

The European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program is a key initiative aimed at supporting startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe, particularly those focused on deep tech and innovative solutions. This program provides both financial resources and strategic guidance to help companies transition from innovative ideas to market-ready products.

Funding Structure: Grants and Equity

The EIC Accelerator offers two primary forms of funding: grants and equity investments.

This dual funding approach combines grants that do not require repayment with equity investments that can significantly boost a company's financial capability without immediate financial burdens.

Purpose of the EIC Accelerator

The primary objective of the EIC Accelerator is to foster innovation within the European ecosystem, particularly in the deep tech sector. By bridging the gap between research and commercialization, the program aims to enhance Europe’s global competitiveness, drive sustainable economic growth, and create job opportunities.

The program specifically targets breakthrough innovations that have the potential to address societal challenges, thus aligning with broader European goals such as sustainability, green energy, and digital transformation.

Role in Scaling Companies

The EIC Accelerator plays a pivotal role in helping companies scale by providing not only financial support but also access to a vast network of investors, mentors, and industry experts. Through its extensive resources, the program assists companies in refining their business models, attracting private investment, and establishing partnerships that can drive growth.

By facilitating connections with private sector investors, the EIC Accelerator enables companies to secure additional funding, thereby enhancing their market presence and accelerating their time to market. This comprehensive support system is particularly vital for deep tech startups, which often require substantial investment and expertise to navigate complex technological landscapes.

Case Study: PLANT-E BV and the Plant-e Project

One notable winner of the EIC Accelerator program is PLANT-E BV, a Dutch company focused on sustainable energy solutions. Their project, titled Plant-e, aims to develop a plant-powered energy harvesting system for Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.

Project Overview

The Plant-e project leverages innovative technology to generate electricity from living plants. By harnessing the natural processes of photosynthesis and plant respiration, PLANT-E is developing a system that can provide a sustainable and renewable energy source for various IoT applications. This technology not only supports energy needs but also contributes to environmental sustainability by utilizing existing plant life without requiring significant land use changes.

Technology Basics and Background

The technology behind the Plant-e project is based on bioenergy principles, specifically focusing on how plants interact with their environment. During photosynthesis, plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, which is stored as sugars. In the soil, these sugars are broken down by microorganisms, releasing electrons in the process. PLANT-E captures these electrons to generate electrical energy, which can be harnessed for various applications.

The implications of this technology extend beyond simple energy generation. By integrating this system into urban environments, PLANT-E aims to create green energy solutions that can power sensors, devices, and other IoT applications. This innovative approach not only addresses energy sustainability but also promotes biodiversity and enhances urban greenery.

The EIC Accelerator funding has significantly empowered PLANT-E to advance its research and development efforts, allowing the company to refine its technology and broaden its market reach. With the support received, PLANT-E is positioned to make a substantial impact on both energy consumption and environmental sustainability in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

In summary, the EIC Accelerator program serves as a vital resource for innovators like PLANT-E BV, driving forward the European deep tech ecosystem while fostering sustainable solutions that address real-world challenges.

2 The Funding Rounds

Plant-e BV, a Netherlands-based company specializing in generating electricity from living plants, has engaged in several funding activities to advance its innovative technology.

Funding Rounds and Amounts:

• June 16, 2021: Plant-e was awarded a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) to further develop sensor applications powered by living plants. (plant-e.com)
• January 21, 2014: The company secured pre-seed funding through the Climate-KIC Accelerator London program. (cointime.ai)
• March 20, 2012: Plant-e received a grant from Wageningen University to support its early-stage development. (cointime.ai)

Investor Information:

Plant-e's investors include:

• Climate-KIC Accelerator London: Provided pre-seed funding in 2014. (cointime.ai)
• Wageningen University: Offered a grant in 2012 to support the company's initial growth. (cointime.ai)
• StartLife: An accelerator program that has been associated with Plant-e, providing support and resources for its development. (pitchbook.com)
• EIT Climate-KIC: An accelerator/incubator that has invested in Plant-e, contributing to its growth and innovation. (pitchbook.com)

Company Valuations:

Specific valuation figures for Plant-e are not publicly disclosed. However, the company has demonstrated growth and innovation in the field of plant-powered energy solutions. As of 2024, Plant-e has approximately 9 employees and is considered a venture capital-backed private company. (pitchbook.com)

Funding and Exit Events:

There is no publicly available information regarding additional funding rounds or exit events for Plant-e beyond those mentioned above. The company's focus remains on developing sustainable energy solutions through its unique technology.

3 The Press Releases

Plant-e BV, a Netherlands-based company specializing in generating electricity from living plants, has achieved several notable milestones since its successful application for the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator funding on June 16, 2021.

EIC Accelerator Grant

In October 2021, Plant-e received a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC). This funding is intended to support the company's innovative approach to sustainable energy generation through plant-based electricity. (plant-e.com)

Patent Victory

On November 22, 2024, Plant-e secured a significant legal victory in a patent infringement lawsuit against Spanish competitor Bioo. The Hague local division of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) ruled in favor of Plant-e, confirming the validity of its patents and ordering Bioo to cease the infringement and withdraw its products from the market within the UPC jurisdiction. (plant-e.com)

Collaborations and Projects

• Groundwater Sensor Innovation: In November 2023, Plant-e, in collaboration with De Dommel Water Board and NXP, demonstrated a groundwater sensor powered directly by nature. This innovation aims to reduce reliance on lithium batteries, promoting sustainability in environmental monitoring. (plant-e.com)
• Sustainable Golf Course Initiative: In December 2023, Plant-e partnered with De Enk Groen & Golf to introduce sustainable energy solutions in golf course management. This collaboration focuses on integrating plant-based electricity to enhance environmental sustainability in the golf industry. (plant-e.com)

Product Developments

Smart Tree Planters: In December 2021, Plant-e began developing smart tree containers in collaboration with the municipality of Renkum. These planters aim to integrate plant-based energy solutions into urban environments, promoting green energy in city landscapes. (plant-e.com)

Team Expansion

Plant-e has expanded its team to include professionals with diverse expertise, such as:

• Marjolein Helder, CEO
• Paulien van Straten, COO
• Daniel Groen, Head of R&D
• Pim de Jager, R&D
• Hadi Rajaei, Field Experimental Engineer
• Justin Vievermanns, Account Manager
• Gabriel van den Broek, Business Development
• Sharon Polman, Business Development
• Maxim Cornelissen, Assistant Researcher
• Annelies Brakshoofden, Management Assistant
• Silvia van Kempen, Management Assistant

This diverse team reflects Plant-e's commitment to innovation and sustainability. (plant-e.com)

Public Engagement

Plant-e has actively engaged with the public through various initiatives, including:

• National Climate Expo: In April 2023, Plant-e participated in the National Climate Expo in Houten, showcasing its plant-based electricity solutions and engaging with stakeholders committed to sustainable energy. (plant-e.com)
• Gardens Illustrated Magazine Feature: In February 2023, Plant-e's "Park of Tomorrow" project was featured in Gardens Illustrated Magazine, highlighting the integration of plant-powered lighting in urban green spaces. (plant-e.com)

These developments underscore Plant-e's ongoing commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and its proactive approach to innovation and public engagement.

4 The Technology Advancements

Plant-e BV, a Netherlands-based company founded in 2009 as a spin-off from Wageningen University, specializes in harnessing electricity from living plants. Initially, the company developed plant-powered lighting systems, but since 2019, it has shifted focus towards creating sensor applications powered by living plants. These sensors are designed to monitor environmental parameters such as soil moisture and groundwater levels, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional battery-powered devices. (plant-e.com)

In June 2021, Plant-e BV was awarded a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) to further develop these plant-powered sensor applications. The grant aims to accelerate the commercialization and scalability of their technology, enabling the company to integrate the plant-powered energy source into the sensor supply chain and automate production processes to reduce lead times and costs. (plant-e.com)

Since receiving the EIC grant, Plant-e BV has made significant advancements in its technology. The company has successfully developed and demonstrated plant-powered sensors for monitoring soil moisture and groundwater levels, showcasing the viability of their technology in real-world applications. These sensors offer a sustainable and low-maintenance alternative to traditional battery-powered devices, aligning with the company's commitment to environmental sustainability. (plant-e.com)

Regarding intellectual property, there is no publicly available information indicating that Plant-e BV has filed new patents or published scientific studies, clinical trials, or whitepapers since receiving the EIC grant. The company's recent focus appears to be on product development and market integration of their plant-powered sensor technology.

In summary, since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding in June 2021, Plant-e BV has successfully advanced its plant-powered sensor technology, demonstrating its potential in environmental monitoring applications. The company continues to focus on integrating this technology into the market, with an emphasis on sustainability and innovation.

5 The Partnerships and Customers

PLANT-E BV, a Dutch company awarded the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator funding in June 2021, has been actively establishing partnerships and customer relationships to commercialize and scale its innovative plant-powered sensor technology.

Partnerships and Customers:

• PLANT-E collaborates with various companies along the supply chain to deliver integrated end-to-end solutions for plant-powered sensors. These partnerships ensure that the plant-flow system aligns with diverse sensor needs regarding types, measurement frequency, and data quality tailored to customers' requirementsplant-e.com.
• The company emphasizes close consultation with clients for project development, allowing customization of applications such as water level monitoring, temperature sensing, and soil moisture measurement using self-harvesting electricity from plantsplant-e.com.

Nature of New Relationships:

• The partnerships are focused on creating a seamless integration from the power source (living plants generating electricity) through sensors to data dashboards. This integration aims to provide customers a fully unburdened solution for sustainable sensing applications.
• With support from the EIC subsidy received in 2021 (€2.5 million), PLANT-E is enhancing these collaborations by automating production processes and scaling manufacturing capacity. This will reduce lead times and costs while improving product availabilityplant-e.com.

Market Positioning through Partnerships:

• By partnering strategically across different segments of the supply chain (sensor manufacturers, data platform providers), PLANT-E positions itself as a provider of comprehensive green energy sensor solutions specifically aimed at remote areas or urban environments requiring environmental monitoring.
• These relationships strengthen its market presence by enabling ready-to-market products that leverage living plants as renewable energy sources for sensors—highlighting sustainability alongside technological innovation.

Technology Advancement and Scaling Support:

• The collaborative approach helps PLANT-E refine technology integration between biological energy harvesting (from plants) and electronic sensing systems.
• Automation in production enabled by these partnerships supports scaling up output while maintaining quality standards necessary for commercial deployment.

In summary, since receiving EIC Accelerator funding in mid 2021, PLANT-E BV has deepened its engagement with partners spanning supply chain functions critical to delivering turnkey plant-based sensor systems. These new collaborations enhance their technological capabilities in integrating biological power sources with environmental sensors while facilitating automation-driven scaling—positioning PLANT-E strongly within sustainable smart sensing markets globally.

Sources

Plant-e receives prestigious grant - Plant-e.com Sensors - Plant-e.com

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

Plant-e BV, a Netherlands-based company specializing in plant-powered energy harvesting systems for IoT solutions, received €2.5 million in funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator on June 16, 2021. (plant-e.com)

Team Growth and Hiring Since EIC Funding:

Following the EIC Accelerator funding, Plant-e BV has focused on expanding its team to support the development of sensor applications powered by living plants. The company has entered into partnerships with various organizations to integrate its plant-powered systems into sensor technologies, aiming to provide sustainable and low-maintenance solutions for monitoring environmental parameters. (plant-e.com)

Current Headcount and Team Size:

As of the latest available information, Plant-e BV employs over 10 individuals. (plant-e.com) However, specific details regarding the current headcount or team size post-2021 are not publicly disclosed.

Current Hiring Status:

There is no publicly available information indicating that Plant-e BV is currently hiring.

Growth and Expansion:

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding, Plant-e BV has made significant strides in developing sensor applications powered by living plants. The company has entered into partnerships with various organizations to integrate its plant-powered systems into sensor technologies, aiming to provide sustainable and low-maintenance solutions for monitoring environmental parameters. (plant-e.com)

Key Positions and Management Changes:

Specific details about recent hires or changes in management are not publicly available. The company's CEO, Marjolein Helder, has been instrumental in leading Plant-e BV's initiatives and partnerships. (plant-e.com)

Implications for the Company's Future:

The integration of plant-powered sensor applications positions Plant-e BV at the forefront of sustainable technology solutions. By leveraging living plants to power sensors, the company offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional battery-powered devices, reducing waste and maintenance costs. This innovation aligns with global sustainability goals and enhances the company's potential for growth and scalability in the environmental technology sector.

7 The Media Features and Publications

PLANT-E BV, a Dutch company specializing in generating electricity from living plants, has gained significant media attention and participation in various events since winning the EIC Accelerator funding following its 16 June 2021 proposal submission.

Media Features and Publications

• PLANT-E BV has been recognized as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer since 2015. This prestigious recognition highlights its innovative approach to generating sustainable energy from plants without harvesting them, enabling continuous electricity production day and night throughout the year. The CEO, Marjolein Helder, who holds a PhD in Environmental Technology and founded the company based on her research, is frequently cited in such contexts describing the technology's potential to enable multiple land-use combining energy production with food/feed or natural habitatswww3.weforum.org.
• Legal documents pertaining to intellectual property disputes involving PLANT-E have been published publicly; for example, a decision by the Court of First Instance dated November 2024 references PLANT-E’s patents related to Plant-Microbial Fuel Cell technologyunified-patent-court.org. These documents indirectly showcase aspects of their technology's uniqueness and commercial importance.

Podcasts and Interviews

There is no direct evidence that PLANT-E BV or its team have participated specifically in podcasts under their company name. However, thematic podcasts like "PLANTSTRONG" exist which promote plant-based innovations broadly but do not appear connected directly with PLANT-E BV or feature its leadership.

Conference Participations and Presentations

• While specific conferences where PLANT-E presented were not explicitly listed from recent searches, they are active within plant science circles given their innovation focus. For instance:
• The Advanced Plant Science Conferences (Adv. PSPB 2025) held March-April 2025 in Amsterdam represents an opportunity relevant to companies like PLANT-E working at the intersection of plant biology and sustainable technologies.

Given this conference’s location (Netherlands) near Plant-e’s base (Wageningen), it is plausible they have participated or plan participation considering their domain expertise.

Involvement in Events

Specific event participations beyond conferences are not detailed explicitly by available data but involvement is suggested through ongoing activities such as patent litigation indicative of active market engagement as well as recognition by global institutions such as WEF for over half a decade showing sustained involvement at high-profile innovation platforms .

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In summary:

Category	Details
Media Features	World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer status since 2015; CEO Marjolein Helder featured
Publications	Legal court decisions on patent cases highlighting tech uniqueness
Podcasts / Interviews	No direct podcasts/interviews found linked specifically to Plant-e
Conferences	Relevant participation likely at advanced plant science conferences like Adv PSPB Amsterdam 2025
Event Involvement	Active through IP litigation & global innovation forums

This overview reflects current publicly available information relating exclusively to PLANT-E BV after receiving EIC Accelerator funding mid-2021.

Source URLs

• Unified Patent Court Decision about Plant-e
• World Economic Forum profile on Plant-e
• Advanced Plant Science Conferences info
• PLANTSTRONG Podcast site (not related directly)
• Apple Podcasts - PLANTSTRONG podcast