1 The EIC Accelerator Project

EIC Accelerator Program: Overview

The EIC Accelerator program is a key initiative under the European Innovation Council (EIC), designed to support innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in Europe. Its primary focus is on deep-tech solutions that have the potential to create significant impact across various sectors. The program aims to foster the development of breakthrough technologies and facilitate their transition from concept to market.

Funding Structure of the EIC Accelerator

The EIC Accelerator provides a blended finance model that combines grant funding and equity investments to support innovative projects.

• Grant Funding: Companies can receive grants of up to €2.5 million. This non-repayable funding is primarily aimed at covering research and development costs, enabling companies to advance their technological innovations without the immediate pressure of repayment.
• Equity Funding: The equity component allows for investments of up to €15 million until 2024, and this will be adjusted to a maximum of €10 million from 2025 onwards. These investments are made in exchange for equity stakes in the company, providing essential capital that can be used for scaling operations, entering new markets, or further product development.

Purpose and Impact on the European Ecosystem

The EIC Accelerator plays a crucial role in strengthening the European deep-tech and startup ecosystem. Its main objectives include:

Case Study: LACLAREE and the I-SEE Project

Company Overview: LACLAREE, a French startup, is at the forefront of developing innovative optical solutions. Their mission is to enhance visual capabilities through cutting-edge technology.

Project Acronym: I-SEE (Innovative Solution of Electro-Focus Eyeglasses)

Project Description: The I-SEE project focuses on creating advanced electro-focus eyeglasses. This groundbreaking technology aims to provide users with adaptive visual capabilities, allowing for seamless transitions between different focal lengths. This innovation is particularly valuable for individuals with vision impairments, enhancing their quality of life by improving their ability to see at various distances without the need for multiple pairs of glasses.

Technology Basics and Background

The technology underpinning the I-SEE project leverages electrochromic materials and smart lens technology.

• Electrochromic Materials: These materials change their optical properties when an electric current is applied. In the context of eyeglasses, such materials can be used to adjust the focus dynamically, allowing users to switch between near and far vision effortlessly.
• Smart Lens Integration: The integration of smart technology into the lenses enables real-time adjustments based on the user's needs. This could involve sensors that detect the distance to an object and automatically adjust the lens focus accordingly.

The development of the I-SEE eyeglasses is positioned not only as a significant advancement in personal optical devices but also as an example of how deep-tech innovations can lead to practical solutions for everyday challenges faced by individuals with visual impairments.

Conclusion

The EIC Accelerator program, through its innovative funding mechanisms, plays a pivotal role in the European startup ecosystem by providing essential resources for high-risk, high-reward projects. The success of companies like LACLAREE, exemplified by the I-SEE project, highlights the program's effectiveness in fostering innovation that has the potential to transform lives and industries. By bridging the funding gap and supporting the scaling of technological advancements, the EIC Accelerator contributes significantly to the competitive landscape of Europe’s economy.

2 The Funding Rounds

# Laclarée Vision: Funding Journey and Investor Analysis

Laclarée Vision, a French company developing adaptive eyeglasses for presbyopia correction, secured significant funding through the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program in March 2024 and has continued to build on this success with additional investment rounds.

EIC Accelerator Funding

Laclarée Vision was among the 68 companies selected for funding in the March 2024 EIC Accelerator call. This particular funding round was highly competitive, with the EIC receiving 969 full proposals, of which only 347 advanced to the interview phase (approximately 36% success rate). The final selection included just 68 companies, representing a 19% success rate at the interview stage and an overall success rate of 7% from the initial full proposals.

France was one of the top countries represented in this funding round, accounting for 19% of the successful applicants alongside Germany. The majority of the awarded funding (96%) was in the form of blended finance, combining grants with equity investment.

Total Funding and Rounds

Laclarée's funding history includes:

• EIC Accelerator Grant: €2.5 million received as part of the March 2024 call
• Seed Round: €3.5 million equity investment announced in January 2025

These two funding sources combine for a total of €6 million in financing, which the company is using to support the development of its first commercial product, expected to launch by mid-2026.

Investor Information

The January 2025 seed round brought in several notable investors:

• Rimonci Capital: A vision-care focused venture fund that joined as a new shareholder in this round
• UI-Investissement (formerly Kreaxi): Existing investor from France
• High-Tech GründerFonds (HTGF): Existing investor from Germany
• Business Angels: Several highly qualified individual investors specializing in vision care

Richel Liu, founder and manager of Rimonci Capital, stated that the investment aligns with their "mission to back transformative technologies in vision care that address unmet medical needs for better vision and insight".

Company Background and Market Positioning

Laclarée was founded in 2016 by Bruno Berge, a physicist and entrepreneur. The company has developed an innovative solution for presbyopia, a condition that affects approximately 2 billion people worldwide, typically beginning after age 45.

The company maintains laboratories in Lyon, France, and has established a partnership with the Institut des Nanotechnologies de Lyon (INL). In addition to the EIC Accelerator funding, Laclarée has received support from Bpifrance and the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region.

Bruno Berge, CEO and founder, has emphasized that the seed funding will be crucial for bringing their autofocusing eyeglass technology to market, noting that customer feedback has been positive, with "many presbyopes want[ing] to wear Laclarée eyeglasses as their visual correction mean".

Future Outlook

The combined funding of €6 million is being directed toward the development of Laclarée's first commercial product, with a target launch date in mid-2026. The company's technology aims to recreate the eye's natural autofocus capability, potentially disrupting the existing market for presbyopia solutions.

No information regarding company valuation or exit events such as IPOs, buyouts, or acquisitions was available in the provided search results.

Sources: - Laclarée raises €3.5M in Seed funding

• HTGF Laclarée Seed
• EIC Accelerator: Statistics and Results from the March 2024 call
• Press release Laclarée raises 3.5 m€ for its Seed round

3 The Press Releases

Laclarée: EIC Accelerator Winner Revolutionizing Eyeglass Technology Based in Villeurbanne, France, Laclarée secured EIC Accelerator funding in March 2024 to advance its autofocusing eyeglasses for presbyopia sufferers. The company combines opto-fluidic technology with distance sensors and actuating units to dynamically adjust lens focus in real time, addressing refractive errors like hyperopia, astigmatism, and myopia.

Core Innovation
Laclarée’s patented lenses use fluid-based optical correction driven by actuators embedded in the eyeglass temples. Distance sensors track the user’s gaze direction and object proximity, enabling automatic focal adjustments without manual intervention[^seed]. The technology aims to replace traditional bifocal or progressive lenses for individuals with age-related vision decline.

Funding Milestones
In February 2025, Laclarée raised an additional €3.5M in seed funding from investors including Rimonci, UI-Investissement (formerly Kreaxi), High-Tech GründerFonds (HTGF), and angel backers[^seed]. This complements the €2.5M grant/equity package from the EIC Accelerator earmarked for product commercialization by mid-2026[^seed].

Commercial Roadmap
The funds will accelerate development of its first commercial product line while expanding its global patent portfolio covering opto-fluidic actuation mechanisms[^seed]. No specific partnerships or team updates are detailed in available sources beyond founder Bruno Berge’s leadership role.

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Sources

• Laclarée Raises €3.5M in Seed Funding - FinSMEs
• EIC Accelerator March 2024 Cut-off Winners Announced (Note: While this source confirms March 2024 winners generally, it does not explicitly name Laclarée)

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No press releases or blog posts were identified directly from laclaree-vision.com due to source limitations.

4 The Technology Advancements

Laclarée's Post-EIC Accelerator Progress and Technological Advancements France-based Laclarée, a developer of autofocusing eyeglasses for presbyopia correction, secured €2.5 million in non-dilutive funding through the EIC Accelerator, complementing its €3.5 million Seed round closed in January 2025. While the exact EIC grant date (March 13, 2024) does not align with publicly disclosed timelines from available sources—which reference an October 2024 EIC cutoff—the combined €6 million financing is explicitly earmarked for commercializing its adaptive eyewear technology by mid-2026.

Current Capabilities and Technology Status
Laclarée’s patented opto-fluidic system uses variable-focus lenses actuated by microfluidic components embedded in eyeglass temples, paired with infrared distance sensors to adjust optical power dynamically. The lenses correct presbyopia while integrating prescriptions for myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Prototypes have undergone wearer testing, demonstrating restored natural focusing and reduced visual fatigue compared to traditional progressive lenses.

Post-Funding Advancements
Since securing funding:

• Product Development: The Seed round proceeds are allocated to finalizing the first commercial product design ahead of a mid-2026 launch. No new technical specifications or sensor upgrades beyond existing descriptions have been disclosed.
• Market Validation: Wearer trials cited in investor communications confirm strong user demand among presbyopes dissatisfied with conventional solutions like bifocals. However, no recent clinical trial data or peer-reviewed studies are publicly available.
• Intellectual Property: The company’s patent portfolio is referenced as “worldwide” but lacks specific details about new filings post-2024 grants.

Public Demonstrations and Commercialization Timeline
Laclarée has showcased functional prototypes but has not released updated demonstrators since its January 2025 funding announcement. Commercial production remains on track for mid-2026 without reported delays or early pilot programs beyond earlier small-scale trials.

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Sources

• Press release: Laclarée raises €3.5M Seed round
• Seed funding announcement (Silicon Canals)
• FinSMEs coverage of Laclarée's financing
• Eyewear Intelligence article on commercialization plans
• HTGF portfolio page detailing technology

5 The Partnerships and Customers

Laclarée: Recent Developments and Partnerships

Laclarée, a French company based in Villeurbanne, has been gaining momentum with its innovative adaptive eyeglasses designed for presbyopia correction. The company's technology mimics the eye's natural ability to autofocus, providing a seamless visual experience without compromising aesthetics.

Partnerships and Investors

Laclarée recently secured €3.5 million in its Seed funding round from prominent investors, including Rimonci Capital, a specialized vision-care venture fund, alongside existing investors UI-Investissement and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), as well as several business angels. This investment is crucial for Laclarée as it aligns with Rimonci's mission to support transformative technologies in vision care, addressing unmet medical needs for better vision.

New Partners

The addition of Rimonci Capital as a new investor reflects Laclarée's growing network in the vision care sector. This partnership underscores Laclarée's strategy to expand its market presence by leveraging Rimonci's expertise in backing innovative vision care technologies.

Customers and Market Positioning

While specific new customer names are not disclosed, Laclarée's technology has been well-received by presbyopes seeking alternative solutions to traditional progressive lenses. The company's focus on addressing the limitations of current corrective solutions positions it as a leader in the adaptive eyewear market.

Nature and Purpose of New Relationships

Laclarée's relationship with Rimonci and other investors is aimed at advancing its technology and scaling its commercial operations. The Seed funding is pivotal in supporting the development of Laclarée's first commercial product, expected by mid-2026. This partnership not only enhances Laclarée's financial capabilities but also provides strategic support, helping to bring its breakthrough technology to new markets and set a new standard for presbyopia correction worldwide.

Technology Advancements and Scaling

The investment from Rimonci and other investors will significantly aid in the technological advancements of Laclarée's adaptive eyeglasses. By integrating opto-fluidic technology, Laclarée's eyeglasses offer real-time adaptation to viewing distances, providing a more natural focusing experience for presbyopes. This technology, combined with the financial and strategic support from its investors, positions Laclarée to scale its operations effectively, targeting a vast market of individuals affected by presbyopia.

Conclusion

Laclarée's strategic partnerships and recent funding round have positioned the company for significant growth in the vision care sector. By leveraging these relationships, Laclarée is poised to enhance its technology and market reach, offering a revolutionary solution for presbyopia correction that could redefine the visual experience for millions worldwide.

Sources

• Laclarée Press Release
• Laclarée bags €3.5M in Seed funding
• Laclarée Vision
• Laclaree Company Information
• Laclarée
• Laclarée
• French Tech Funding Wire January

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

Laclaree's Team Growth and Scaling Strategy Post-EIC Accelerator Funding

Since securing EIC Accelerator funding in early 2024, Laclarée has focused on advancing its autofocusing eyeglass technology while preparing for commercialization. The company’s workforce is categorized as a small, specialized team of 1–10 employees, though specific headcount figures remain undisclosed. Recent developments indicate active hiring to support product development ahead of their mid-2026 commercial launch.

Key Developments:

• Funding and Hiring: The €3.5M Seed round (January 2025) complements the €2.5M EIC grant, bringing total financing to €6M. This capital is allocated to R&D and team expansion, with roles likely concentrated in optics engineering, microfluidics, and electronics.
• Growth Trajectory: While historical employee counts are not public, the Seed funding suggests strategic hiring to meet production timelines. The company’s labs in Lyon collaborate with INL (Institut des Nanotechnologies de Lyon), hinting at potential academic or technical partnerships influencing recruitment.
• Leadership Stability: Founder Bruno Berge remains CEO since 2016, supported by investors like Rimonci Capital and HTGF. No management changes have been reported post-funding.
• Future Impact: New hires will accelerate prototyping and testing of their opto-fluidic lenses—critical for addressing presbyopia’s global market (2 billion people). The team’s interdisciplinary focus on materials science and adaptive optics positions Laclarée to overcome traditional progressive lens limitations.

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Sources

• LaClare Creamery is the epicenter of goat cheese production (Note: Unrelated but included due to naming overlap; no direct relevance)
• Laclarée – Autofocussing eyeglasses for presbyopia correction
• France's Laclarée bags €3.5M in Seed funding
• HTGF Laclarée Seed
• ZoomInfo: Laclarée Vision Overview

7 The Media Features and Publications

Laclarée's Media Presence and Industry Engagement The French vision-tech company Laclarée, specializing in autofocusing eyeglasses for presbyopia correction, has garnered significant media attention and industry participation since securing EIC Accelerator funding. Below is a detailed breakdown of their public engagements:

Media Features and Publications

• Capital: Highlighted Laclarée’s technology in an August 2019 article titled “Des lunettes électroniques libéreront les presbytes”, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize presbyopia care.
• Le Monde: Published “Des lunettes à verres progressifs intelligentes” (June 2019), detailing the company’s opto-fluidic lens technology.
• Acuité: Featured Laclarée’s adaptive eyewear development in June 2019, noting its aim to address unmet needs in vision correction.

Podcasts and Interviews

Europe 1: CEO Bruno Berge discussed innovations in eye-care technology on the October 8, 2019 episode “Quelles innovations pour vos yeux?”, emphasizing user-centric design.

Conference Participation

• Silmo NEXT (September 2019): Showcased their adaptive eyewear under the theme “Laclarée, une nouvelle technologie de lunettes adaptatives pour la correction de la presbytie”, spotlighting real-time optical adjustments.
• AIO Conference (July 2019): Presented technical advancements in opto-fluidic actuators for eyeglasses during an invited talk titled “A novel opto-fluidic engine for adaptive eyeglasses”.

Recent Developments Post-EIC Funding

While specific events post-March 2024 are not detailed in available sources, Laclarée announced a €3.5M Seed round led by Rimonci Capital in January/February 2025, coupled with a €2.5M EIC Accelerator grant. This funding aims to commercialize their first product by mid-2026.

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Sources

Capital: Des lunettes électroniques libéreront les presbytes · Le Monde: Des lunettes à verres progressifs intelligentes · Acuité: Une start-up française développe des lunettes électroniques · Europe 1 Interview · Silmo NEXT Presentation · AIO Conference Talk · Seed Funding Announcement (HTGF) · FinSMEs Report