1 The EIC Accelerator Project

EIC Accelerator Program Overview

The EIC Accelerator is a funding program under the European Innovation Council (EIC) aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in the European Union (EU) and associated countries. It is specifically designed to foster innovation and scale-up high-risk, high-potential companies, particularly in the fields of deep technology and cutting-edge sectors like health, energy, and digital technologies.

Funding Structure

The EIC Accelerator offers a blended financing model, which includes both grants and equity investments:

Companies can receive grants of up to €2.5 million. This funding is intended to cover costs related to the development of innovative products, processes, or services. It is particularly useful for companies in the prototyping or scaling-up phases, allowing them to mitigate risks associated with bringing new technologies to market.

The equity investment can reach up to €15 million until 2024 and will be reduced to €10 million starting in 2025. This investment is designed to help these companies secure sufficient funding to continue their growth trajectory. The EIC takes an equity stake in the company, aligning its interests with the company’s success.

Purpose of the EIC Accelerator

The EIC Accelerator aims to bolster the European DeepTech and startup ecosystem by:

• Promoting innovative projects that can lead to significant advancements in technology and industry.
• Supporting companies that address societal challenges, including sustainability, health, and digital transformation.
• Enhancing Europe’s competitiveness on the global stage by nurturing high-potential startups that can innovate and scale.
• Bridging the funding gap often faced by startups, particularly in the early stages when they may struggle to attract private investment.

Role in Scaling and Funding

The EIC Accelerator plays a crucial role in helping companies scale by:

• Providing Financial Support: The combination of grants and equity investment reduces financial risks and allows companies to invest in further research, development, and market entry.
• Facilitating Access to Private Investors: The EIC’s involvement often attracts additional private investment. Investors tend to view EIC-backed companies as more credible, thus increasing their chances of securing further funding.
• Offering Expertise and Networking Opportunities: Beyond funding, the EIC Accelerator provides access to a network of mentors, industry experts, and potential partnerships that can accelerate growth and innovation.

Summary of MINIMA PROCESSOR OY and MINIMA EDA Project

Company Name: MINIMA PROCESSOR OY
Project Acronym: MINIMA EDA
Description: Development of ultra-low energy computing technology aimed at making intelligent wireless devices more energy-efficient.
Funding Type: Blended finance
Website: minimaprocessor.com
Country: Finland
Cut-off Date for Step 2 Proposal: June 16, 2021

Project Details: MINIMA EDA

The MINIMA EDA project focuses on creating a new generation of ultra-low energy computing solutions. This initiative is particularly relevant in an era where energy efficiency is paramount, especially for devices that rely on battery power, such as IoT devices, wearables, and other smart technologies.

Technology Basics and Background

Ultra-Low Energy Computing:

• Context: The rise of smart devices and IoT has led to a significant increase in energy consumption. Traditional computing architectures are not designed to be energy-efficient, especially when running continuously or in remote locations without access to power sources.
• Technology Focus: MINIMA PROCESSOR OY aims to develop innovative architectures and design methodologies that drastically reduce energy consumption while maintaining computational performance. This involves:
• Energy-Aware Design: Creating hardware and software that prioritize energy efficiency in their operation.
• New Computing Paradigms: Exploring alternative computing models, such as neuromorphic computing or quantum computing, that can potentially outperform traditional models in terms of energy efficiency.
• Applications: The technology developed under the MINIMA EDA project can be applied to various sectors, including health monitoring, smart agriculture, smart cities, and environmental monitoring, where energy efficiency is critical.

The EIC Accelerator’s support of MINIMA PROCESSOR OY underscores its commitment to fostering innovation that not only drives economic growth but also addresses pressing environmental challenges. By equipping startups with the resources and support they need, the EIC Accelerator plays an essential role in shaping the future of technology in Europe.

2 The Funding Rounds

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on June 16, 2021, Minima Processor Oy has not publicly disclosed any new funding rounds. The most recent known funding event occurred in 2017, when the company raised approximately €5.6 million in a two-stage seed funding round. This funding was provided by Lifeline Ventures, VTT Ventures, CFT Nordic Capital, Aalto University, and a group of angel investors. (finsmes.com)

Additionally, in 2017, Minima Processor Oy received a €1.7 million grant from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research Framework Program to support the commercialization and piloting of its technology. (nordic9.com)

As of December 31, 2023, Minima Processor Oy ceased operations and merged with another entity, resulting in the dissolution of its business ID. (woorati.com)

Given the lack of publicly available information on any new funding rounds or investor details since 2021, it appears that Minima Processor Oy has not secured additional funding or undergone significant financial events in recent years.

3 The Press Releases

After reviewing available information, it appears that Minima Processor Oy, based in Finland, has not published any press releases since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on June 16, 2021. The most recent press release from Minima Processor dates back to March 3, 2025, and is available on their news page. (minima.global)

Prior to this, Minima Processor has been involved in several significant developments:

• March 3, 2025: Hugo Feiler discusses Minima and Decentralized AI in a news article. (minima.global)
• December 3, 2024: Minima collaborates with ARM to develop ledger-embedded microchips for IoT applications. (minima.global)
• February 23, 2023: Minima and Stacuity announce a partnership to advance blockchain-powered IoT connectivity. (minima.global)
• February 7, 2023: File-sharing service WeTransfer partners with Minima on a mobile NFT solution. (minima.global)
• June 30, 2022: Minima's cooperative blockchain network reaches 120,000 complete nodes, surpassing Bitcoin. (minima.global)

These developments highlight Minima Processor's ongoing efforts in advancing energy-efficient processor technology and expanding its partnerships in the blockchain and IoT sectors.

4 The Technology Advancements

Minima Processor Oy, based in Oulu, Finland, specializes in ultra-low power microprocessor technology. Their patented Dynamic Margining approach enables digital circuits to operate at near-threshold voltages, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining performance. (businessfinland.fi)

Since receiving the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator funding on June 16, 2021, Minima Processor has made notable advancements:

• Technological Improvements and New Features: The company has enhanced its Dynamic Margining solution, focusing on automation and tool development to facilitate easier implementation for customers. (design-reuse.com)
• Market Demonstrations: Minima Processor has collaborated with Arm to integrate their Dynamic Margining IP with Arm's Artisan Physical IP for 22nm ultra-low leakage process technology. This partnership aims to optimize Arm-based system-on-chip (SoC) designs, targeting applications in mobile and IoT devices. (design-reuse.com)
• Intellectual Property and Publications: The company has been granted multiple patents, including:
• A microelectronic circuit capable of selectively activating processing units.
• Applications of adaptive microelectronic circuits designed for specific tasks.
• A system with a microelectronic circuit and a method for controlling timing events.
• A method and arrangement for protecting a digital circuit against timing violations.
• A register circuit with detection of data events and a method for detection.
• A coverage-based microelectronic circuit and a method for providing a coverage-based microelectronic circuit.
• A method and arrangement for ensuring valid data at a second stage of a digital circuit.
• A sequential circuit with timing event detection and a method of detection.
• A level shifter and a method for shifting voltage levels.
• A system and a method for controlling operating voltage.
• A control mechanism based on timing information.
• A field-effect transistor current mode logic with changeable bulk connection.
• A method for preventing timing violations.

These patents reflect the company's ongoing innovation in energy-efficient microprocessor technology. (trea.com)

In summary, Minima Processor Oy has leveraged the EIC Accelerator funding to advance its technology, collaborate with industry leaders, and strengthen its intellectual property portfolio, positioning itself as a key player in the field of energy-efficient microprocessors.

5 The Partnerships and Customers

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on June 16, 2021, Minima Processor Oy, a Finnish company specializing in ultra-low energy computing technology, has made significant strides in expanding its partnerships and customer base.

New Partnerships:

While specific details about new partnerships post-funding are not publicly disclosed, Minima has been actively seeking collaborations to scale its technology. The EIC Accelerator funding has enabled the company to enhance its solution delivery methods and customer support resources, facilitating the development of Dynamic Margining EDA tools. This advancement allows customers to implement Minima's technology more independently, positioning the company for substantial business growth. (design-reuse.com)

New Customers:

Specific names of new customers acquired since the funding are not publicly available. However, Minima's technology has garnered interest from various sectors, including hearables, wearables, IoT devices, and edge AI applications. The company's Dynamic Margining IP solution has demonstrated over 60% energy savings for chip designers' processors, making it a compelling choice for companies aiming to enhance energy efficiency in their products. (design-reuse.com)

Nature and Purpose of New Relationships:

The new relationships primarily focus on integrating Minima's Dynamic Margining technology into customers' products to achieve significant energy savings. By collaborating with chip designers and device manufacturers, Minima aims to optimize processor operating points, thereby extending battery life and improving overall device performance. The purpose of these collaborations is to enable the adoption of ultra-low voltage operation and dynamic voltage scaling, which are crucial for the next generation of energy-efficient devices. (design-reuse.com)

Market Positioning:

These collaborations position Minima Processor Oy as a leader in energy-efficient computing solutions. By partnering with various device manufacturers and chip designers, Minima enhances its market presence and credibility. The ability to offer a technology that significantly reduces energy consumption aligns with the growing global emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency, thereby strengthening Minima's competitive edge in the semiconductor industry. (design-reuse.com)

Technology Advancements and Scaling:

The partnerships and customer engagements facilitated by the EIC Accelerator funding have been instrumental in advancing Minima's technology. The development of Dynamic Margining EDA tools has streamlined the implementation process for customers, allowing for more efficient integration of Minima's solutions. This scalability is crucial for meeting the increasing demand for energy-efficient processors across various applications. Additionally, the funding has supported the expansion of Minima's research and development efforts, leading to continuous improvements in their technology offerings. (design-reuse.com)

In summary, since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding, Minima Processor Oy has strategically expanded its partnerships and customer base, focusing on integrating its energy-efficient computing solutions into a wide range of devices. These efforts have enhanced the company's market position and facilitated significant technological advancements, positioning Minima for sustained growth and innovation in the semiconductor industry.

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

Minima Processor Oy, a Finnish company specializing in energy-efficient microprocessor technology, received funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator on June 16, 2021. (design-reuse.com)

Team Growth and Hiring Since June 2021:

Specific details about Minima Processor's hiring activities and team growth post-June 2021 are not publicly available. The company has not disclosed information regarding current headcount, team size, or recent key hires.

Current Hiring Status:

There is no publicly available information indicating whether Minima Processor is currently hiring.

Company Growth and Future Outlook:

While specific growth metrics are not disclosed, the EIC Accelerator funding is intended to support the scaling of Minima Processor's technology and business operations. The company plans to utilize this funding to enhance its Dynamic Margining solution, develop Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, and expand into markets such as hearables, wearables, IoT devices, and edge AI applications. (design-reuse.com)

Management and Founding Team:

As of the latest available information, Minima Processor is led by CEO Tuomas Hollman. The company was co-founded by Toni Soini (CEO), Lauri Koskinen (CTO), and Jani Mäkipää (Chairman). (design-reuse.com)

Please note that detailed and up-to-date information regarding Minima Processor's team size, hiring activities, and management changes may not be publicly accessible.

7 The Media Features and Publications

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on June 16, 2021, Minima Processor Oy has been featured in various media outlets, participated in podcasts, and engaged in industry events. Below is a summary of their media features, publications, podcasts, and event involvements since that date:

Media Features and Publications:

• SemiWiki Articles:
• CEO Update: Tuomas Hollman, Minima Processor CEO (November 5, 2021): An interview with CEO Tuomas Hollman discussing the company's vision and developments.
• Why Near-Threshold Voltage is an Excellent Choice for Hearables (May 5, 2021): An article exploring the benefits of near-threshold voltage in hearable devices.
• Low Energy SoCs with Near Threshold Voltage (April 15, 2021): A discussion on designing low-energy System on Chips using near-threshold voltage.
• Hearables: From Earbuds to Life Augmentation and Beyond (March 9, 2021): An exploration of the evolution of hearable devices.
• It’s Energy vs. Power that Matters (March 2, 2021): An analysis of energy efficiency in device design.
• CEO Interview: Tuomas Hollman of Minima Processor (January 29, 2021): An in-depth interview with CEO Tuomas Hollman.

(semiwiki.com)

• SemiWiki Podcast:
• Podcast EP29: An Exploration of Minima’s Energy Optimized Design Technology (July 16, 2021): CTO Lauri Koskinen discusses Minima's near-threshold design and operation for energy optimization.

(semiwiki.com)

Podcasts and Interviews:

• SemiWiki Podcast EP29:
• An Exploration of Minima’s Energy Optimized Design Technology (July 16, 2021): CTO Lauri Koskinen delves into the unique aspects of Minima's energy-efficient technology.

(semiwiki.com)

• We Are DePIN Podcast Series:
• Embedding Blockchain Functionality in IoT Devices with Minima (October 2, 2024): Adam Feiler from Minima discusses embedding blockchain into IoT devices.
• Decentralisation for All: The L1 Chain Running on Mobile Phones (February 27, 2024): Hugo Feiler and Paddy Cerri from Minima talk about decentralization and blockchain on mobile devices.

(ivy.fm)

Conference and Fair Visits, Presentations, or Participations:

Specific details about Minima Processor Oy's participation in conferences, fairs, or presentations since June 16, 2021, are not readily available in the provided sources. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to visit Minima Processor Oy's official website or contact them directly.

Involvement in Events:

Information regarding Minima Processor Oy's involvement in events since June 16, 2021, is not explicitly detailed in the available sources. For comprehensive details, please refer to Minima Processor Oy's official communications or their website.

For the latest updates and detailed information, visiting Minima Processor Oy's official website or their social media channels is advisable.