1 The EIC Accelerator Project

EIC Accelerator Program Overview

The European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator is a prestigious funding program designed to support innovative startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe. It is part of the broader Horizon Europe framework, aiming to foster breakthrough technologies and innovative solutions with high potential for scaling and impact.

Funding Details

Grant Component

The EIC Accelerator provides non-dilutive grant funding of up to €2.5 million. This grant is intended to cover the initial phases of development, including research and development, prototyping, and validation.

Equity Component

In addition to grant funding, the EIC Accelerator offers equity investments. Until 2024, companies can receive up to €15 million in equity. Starting in 2025, this amount is adjusted to a maximum of €10 million. These funds are designed to support scale-up activities, market entry, and commercialization efforts.

Purpose in the European DeepTech and Startup Ecosystem

The EIC Accelerator plays a crucial role in the European DeepTech and startup ecosystem by:

• Fostering Innovation: Encouraging the development of cutting-edge technologies and solutions that address significant societal and environmental challenges.
• Supporting Scale-Up: Providing financial support that enables startups to scale their operations, reach larger markets, and compete globally.
• Bridging the Funding Gap: Helping companies secure additional private sector investments by providing a combination of grants and equity, thus de-risking projects for private investors.

Role in Helping Companies Scale

The EIC Accelerator is instrumental in helping companies scale by:

• Providing Capital: Offering substantial financial resources to support growth and expansion activities.
• Attracting Private Investment: Acting as a catalyst for additional private sector funding through its blended finance model, which combines grant and equity.
• Offering Strategic Support: Providing access to a network of mentors, investors, and industry experts to guide companies through scaling challenges.

Dunia Innovations UG and Dunia.ai Project

Company Overview

Dunia Innovations UG, based in Germany, is an EIC Accelerator winner recognized for its groundbreaking project, Dunia.ai. The company presented its proposal during the EIC Accelerator cut-off on March 13, 2024, and successfully secured funding through the program.

Dunia.ai Project Description

Dunia.ai focuses on accelerating the discovery of high-performance electrocatalysts using artificial intelligence and robotics technology. The project aims to revolutionize the way electrocatalysts are developed, making the process faster and more efficient.

Technology Basics and Background

Dunia.ai leverages advanced technologies to enhance the discovery and development of electrocatalysts, which are crucial in sustainable energy applications, such as fuel cells and electrolyzers.

• Artificial Intelligence: AI algorithms are used to analyze vast datasets, identify patterns, and predict the performance of potential electrocatalyst materials. This reduces the need for extensive trial-and-error experiments.
• Robotics Technology: Robotics are employed to automate the synthesis and testing of electrocatalysts, ensuring precision and accelerating the overall discovery process.

By integrating AI and robotics, Dunia.ai aims to significantly cut down the time and cost associated with electrocatalyst development, driving advancements in sustainable energy technologies.

For more information, you can visit their website at dunia.ai.

2 The Funding Rounds

Since receiving EIC Accelerator funding on March 13, 2024, Dunia Innovations UG has secured additional funding to advance its mission in AI-driven material discovery for sustainable energy solutions.

Funding Rounds:

Series A Round: On October 23, 2024, Dunia Innovations announced a Series A funding round, raising approximately €10.6 million (equivalent to $11.5 million). (eu-startups.com)

Investors:

The Series A round was co-led by venture capital firms Elaia and Redalpine. Additional participants included the European Innovation Council (EIC), Pace Ventures, Kindred Capital, Deep Science Ventures, Anglo American, and industry expert angels such as Dr. Udo Jung, Dr. Chris Gibson, Prof. Lee Cronin, and Dr. Carlos Haertel. (eu-startups.com)

Company Valuation:

Specific valuation figures for Dunia Innovations UG during this funding round have not been publicly disclosed.

This funding is intended to support Dunia Innovations in accelerating the discovery of advanced materials, particularly focusing on electrocatalysts for green hydrogen and ammonia production, as well as the conversion of CO₂ into more advanced chemical products. (eu-startups.com)

3 The Press Releases

Since receiving EIC Accelerator funding on March 13, 2024, Dunia Innovations UG has issued several press releases detailing significant developments:

Funding Announcements:

October 23, 2024: Dunia Innovations announced a funding round of approximately €10.6 million ($11.5 million). The round was co-led by Elaia Partners and Redalpine Venture Partners AG, with participation from the European Innovation Council (EIC), Pace Ventures, Kindred Capital, Deep Science Ventures, Anglo American, and other investors. (hk.marketscreener.com)

Technology Advancements:

Dunia Innovations is developing a platform that integrates physics-informed AI with automated robotics to revolutionize the discovery of new electroactive materials. This technology autonomously designs, tests, and refines materials, significantly reducing development time from several years to just a few months. Key applications include green hydrogen production, CO₂ capture, and renewable energy storage. (startup-in-europe.com)

Partnerships:

The company has established collaborations with major chemical companies to apply its AI and robotics platform in real-world settings. These partnerships aim to accelerate the discovery and commercialization of advanced materials for sustainable energy solutions. (cen.acs.org)

Team Updates:

Following the funding round, Dunia Innovations plans to expand its team by hiring experts in artificial intelligence and chemistry. The company currently has 12 employees and expects to grow to about 20 by the following summer. (cen.acs.org)

Patents:

Specific details regarding patents were not disclosed in the available press releases.

Press Releases on Website and Social Media:

As of the latest information, Dunia Innovations' press releases are available through various news outlets and investor platforms. Specific press releases on their official website or social media accounts were not identified in the provided sources.

Press Releases on dunia.ai:

The website dunia.ai provides information about the company's mission and technology. However, specific press releases were not found on the site based on the available information.

These developments underscore Dunia Innovations' commitment to advancing sustainable energy technologies through innovative AI and robotics solutions.

4 The Technology Advancements

Dunia Innovations UG, a German company specializing in accelerating the discovery of high-performance electrocatalysts through artificial intelligence and robotics, received EIC Accelerator funding on March 13, 2024. (strata.team)

Technology Advancements Since Funding:

As of April 16, 2025, there is limited publicly available information detailing specific technological advancements made by Dunia Innovations UG since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding. The company has not publicly disclosed significant updates or breakthroughs in their technology during this period.

Development Phase and Market Demonstration:

Given the lack of detailed public information, it is unclear whether Dunia Innovations UG has progressed beyond the development phase or has demonstrated their technology in the market through customer engagements or demonstrators.

Intellectual Property and Publications:

There is no publicly available information indicating that Dunia Innovations UG has filed new patents, published scientific studies, clinical trials, or whitepapers since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to contact Dunia Innovations UG directly or consult their official communications channels.

5 The Partnerships and Customers

Since receiving EIC Accelerator funding on March 13, 2024, Dunia Innovations UG has secured significant partnerships and funding that enhance its market position and technological capabilities.

New Partners and Investors:

• Elaia and Redalpine: These venture capital firms co-led Dunia Innovations' seed funding round, demonstrating strong confidence in the company's potential. (nordic9.com)
• Pace Ventures, Kindred Capital, Deep Science Ventures, and Anglo American: These investors joined the funding round, providing additional financial support and strategic guidance. (nordic9.com)

Nature and Purpose of Relationships:

• Financial Support: The partnerships have resulted in a total funding of $11.5 million, enabling Dunia Innovations to accelerate research and development efforts. (nordic9.com)
• Strategic Guidance: The involvement of experienced investors offers valuable insights and mentorship, aiding in refining business strategies and scaling operations.

Market Positioning:

These partnerships position Dunia Innovations as a leading player in the carbon utilization sector, enhancing credibility and attracting potential customers and collaborators.

Technological Advancements and Scaling:

The funding and strategic support facilitate the development of innovative technologies aimed at enhancing carbon capture and conversion processes, thereby contributing to the company's growth and impact in the industry.

These developments underscore Dunia Innovations UG's commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and its growing influence in the market.

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

As of April 15, 2025, there is limited publicly available information regarding the hiring activities and team growth of Dunia Innovations UG since receiving EIC Accelerator funding on March 13, 2024. Specific details about their current headcount, team size, recent hires, and management changes are not readily accessible through public sources.

However, general hiring trends in 2024 indicate a shift towards skills-driven recruitment, with companies emphasizing internal upskilling programs and focusing on retaining top talent through improved work-life balance initiatives and clear career progression pathways. (stemgenicglobal.com) Additionally, there has been a rise in flexible workforce models, including contract staffing, allowing businesses to scale their teams in response to real-time demands without committing to long-term overheads. (stemgenicglobal.com)

Given these trends, it is possible that Dunia Innovations UG has adopted similar strategies to support their growth and development following the EIC Accelerator funding. However, without specific information, it is not possible to provide detailed insights into their hiring practices, team expansion, or management changes.

7 The Media Features and Publications

Dunia Innovations UG, a German company specializing in accelerating the discovery of high-performance electrocatalysts through artificial intelligence and robotics, received EIC Accelerator funding on March 13, 2024. (eic.ec.europa.eu)

Media Features Since March 13, 2024:

EIC Accelerator Announcement: Dunia Innovations UG was featured in the European Commission's announcement of the 68 deep-tech start-ups selected for funding in the March 2024 EIC Accelerator cut-off. (eic.ec.europa.eu)

Publications Mentioning Dunia Innovations UG Since March 13, 2024:

EIC Accelerator Statistics and Results: An article by STRATA highlighted Dunia Innovations UG among the 68 companies selected in the March 2024 EIC Accelerator call. (strata.team)

Content from Publications Writing About Dunia Innovations UG Since March 13, 2024:

• EIC Accelerator Announcement: The European Commission's article provides details about Dunia Innovations UG's selection and the funding process. (eic.ec.europa.eu)
• EIC Accelerator Statistics and Results: STRATA's article includes Dunia Innovations UG in the list of awarded companies and discusses the funding distribution. (strata.team)

Podcasts or Interviews with Dunia Innovations UG Team Since March 13, 2024:

No specific podcasts or interviews featuring the Dunia Innovations UG team were identified in the available sources.

Conference and Fair Visits, Presentations, or Participations of Dunia Innovations UG Since March 13, 2024:

No specific information about Dunia Innovations UG's participation in conferences or fairs since March 13, 2024, was found in the available sources.

Involvement of Dunia Innovations UG in Events Since March 13, 2024:

No specific details about Dunia Innovations UG's involvement in events since March 13, 2024, were identified in the available sources.

For the most current and detailed information, it is recommended to visit Dunia Innovations UG's official website or contact them directly.