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arcsec NV

Navigating New Frontiers: How the EIC Accelerator Empowers Innovative Startups like Arcsec NV in the Space Tech Arena

BelgiumEIC Accelerator2023

Table of Contents

  1. The EIC Accelerator Project
  2. The Funding Rounds
  3. The Press Releases
  4. The Technology Advancements
  5. The Partnerships and Customers
  6. The Hiring and Company Growth
  7. The Media Features and Publications

1 The EIC Accelerator Project

EIC Accelerator Program Overview

The European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator is a flagship funding program designed to support innovative startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union. It focuses on breakthrough technologies and game-changing innovations that have the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones. The program is part of the broader Horizon Europe initiative, which aims to enhance Europe’s competitive advantage in science and technology.

EIC Accelerator Funding Structure

Grant Component

The EIC Accelerator provides non-dilutive grant funding of up to €2.5 million. This grant is intended to cover research and development expenses, including the prototyping, validation, and demonstration of innovative projects. The grant helps bridge the funding gap for early-stage companies, enabling them to reach a stage where they can attract additional investments.

Equity Component

In addition to grants, the program offers equity investments. Until 2024, the EIC Accelerator can provide equity funding of up to €15 million, which will be reduced to €10 million starting in 2025. This equity component is designed to support the scaling phase, helping companies bring their innovations to the market and grow their operations. The equity investment is managed through the EIC Fund, which takes a minority stake in the companies.

Purpose of the EIC Accelerator

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

1. Fostering Innovation: Supporting high-risk, high-reward projects that have the potential to transform industries.
2. Bridging Funding Gaps: Providing financial support at critical stages of development, especially for companies that may struggle to secure funding from traditional sources.
3. Enhancing Competitiveness: Strengthening Europe’s position in global markets by supporting cutting-edge technologies and promoting sustainable economic growth.

Scaling and Private Sector Funding

The EIC Accelerator not only provides financial support but also assists companies in scaling their operations. By offering a combination of grants and equity, the program helps de-risk investments, making companies more attractive to private investors. Furthermore, it provides business acceleration services, mentorship, and networking opportunities, connecting startups with potential partners, investors, and customers.

arcsec NV and the DeDUST Project

Company Overview

Arcsec NV, based in Belgium, is an EIC Accelerator winner that specializes in advanced space technologies. They focus on developing innovative solutions for the space industry, leveraging cutting-edge technology to address current challenges.

DeDUST Project

The project, "DeDUST" (Debris Detection Using Star Trackers), is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing space safety. As space becomes increasingly congested, the risk of collisions involving space debris poses significant challenges. DeDUST aims to mitigate these risks by utilizing star tracker technology to detect debris in orbit.

Technology Basics and Background

Star trackers are devices used in spacecraft navigation systems to determine the orientation of the spacecraft by observing stars. The DeDUST project innovatively repurposes this technology to identify and track space debris. By integrating advanced algorithms and sensor technologies, DeDUST enhances the ability to detect smaller debris that typically goes unnoticed.

The significance of DeDUST lies in its potential to improve space situational awareness, thereby contributing to safer space operations. This technology not only helps in avoiding collisions but also supports the long-term sustainability of space activities by preventing the creation of additional debris.

Conclusion

The EIC Accelerator is a vital component of Europe’s strategy to foster innovation and growth in the DeepTech sector. By supporting companies like arcsec NV and projects like DeDUST, the program not only advances technological boundaries but also ensures the safety and sustainability of future space endeavors. Through its comprehensive funding and support mechanisms, the EIC Accelerator continues to empower startups to scale their innovations and achieve market success.

2 The Funding Rounds

As of April 16, 2025, there is no publicly available information indicating that Arcsec NV, a company based in Kuurne, Belgium, has secured additional funding since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on March 22, 2023. Arcsec NV specializes in computer systems design and related services. (dnb.com)

The company's key principal is Dirk Vandepitte. However, specific details about the company's financial activities, including funding rounds, investor information, or company valuations, are not publicly disclosed. This lack of publicly available information suggests that Arcsec NV has not engaged in any new funding rounds or disclosed such activities since the EIC Accelerator funding.

It's important to note that private companies, especially those in specialized sectors like computer systems design, may choose not to disclose detailed financial information or funding activities. Therefore, the absence of such information does not necessarily indicate a lack of financial activity but rather reflects the company's disclosure practices.

3 The Press Releases

Since receiving EIC Accelerator funding on March 22, 2023, Arcsec NV has announced a significant partnership:

Partnership with Neuraspace for Space Debris Detection

On October 17, 2023, Arcsec NV and Neuraspace, a space traffic management provider, announced a collaboration to enhance space debris detection capabilities. This partnership leverages Arcsec's high-precision star trackers to detect and characterize space debris and resident space objects. By integrating data from Arcsec's star trackers, Neuraspace aims to improve its space traffic management solutions, enabling the analysis of debris particles as small as three centimeters. This advancement is expected to provide detailed information on potential collision risks in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), thereby enhancing the protection of space assets and contributing to the sustainability of the orbital environment. (spaceinsider.tech)

Arcsec's star trackers are notable for their reprogrammable capability in orbit, allowing for the enhancement of space situational awareness functionalities and updates to the network while in orbit. This adaptability is crucial in the dynamic space environment. (militaryaerospace.com)

As of April 15, 2025, this partnership remains the primary public announcement from Arcsec NV since their EIC Accelerator funding. No additional press releases detailing further partnerships, technology advancements, team updates, patents, or other developments have been identified on their official website (arcsec.space) or social media accounts.

4 The Technology Advancements

Arcsec NV, a Belgian space technology startup, received an EIC Accelerator grant of €1.3 million in March 2023 for their "DeDUST" project, aimed at developing a sensor network to detect small pieces of orbiting space debris. (startupflanders.com)

Technology Advancements Since EIC Accelerator Funding:

Since securing the EIC Accelerator funding, Arcsec NV has been focused on advancing their DeDUST project. The project aims to develop a sensor network capable of accurately detecting small pieces of orbiting space debris, with a particular emphasis on fragments as small as 3 cm. This capability is crucial, as such small debris can pose significant risks to operational spacecraft. (startupflanders.com)

Development Phase and Scaling:

As of April 2025, Arcsec NV is in the development phase of the DeDUST project. The company has been working on integrating their technology into existing and new satellites to create an extensive sensor network. This network is intended to enhance the ability of operational spacecraft to maneuver around space debris, thereby reducing the risk of collisions. (startupflanders.com)

Market Demonstrations:

There is no publicly available information indicating that Arcsec NV has demonstrated their technology in the market with customers or through demonstrators. The company appears to be in the development and testing stages of their technology.

Patents, Scientific Studies, Clinical Trials, or Whitepapers:

No specific information is available regarding new patents filed, scientific studies published, clinical trials conducted, or whitepapers released by Arcsec NV since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding. The company has been primarily focused on the development of their sensor network for space debris detection.

In summary, Arcsec NV is actively developing their DeDUST project to detect small space debris, with plans to integrate this technology into satellites to enhance space safety. However, as of April 2025, the technology is still in the development phase, and there is no public evidence of market demonstrations or additional intellectual property filings.

5 The Partnerships and Customers

As of April 15, 2024, arcsec NV, a Belgian space technology company, has not publicly disclosed specific partnerships or customer acquisitions following their receipt of the EIC Accelerator funding on March 22, 2023. However, the company has reported a significant increase in sales compared to 2022, indicating a growing customer base. (blog.satsearch.co)

The EIC Accelerator grant has enabled arcsec NV to initiate the DeDUST project, which aims to enhance their star trackers with space debris detection capabilities. This development positions arcsec NV to offer a scalable network of space-based Space Situational Awareness (SSA) sensors, potentially attracting new partnerships and customers interested in advanced debris detection solutions. (blog.satsearch.co)

While specific details about new relationships are not available, the DeDUST project is expected to strengthen arcsec NV's market position by expanding their product offerings and technological capabilities. The integration of debris detection into their star trackers not only addresses a critical need in space safety but also enhances the company's appeal to satellite operators and space agencies seeking comprehensive SSA solutions.

In summary, although arcsec NV has not publicly announced specific new partnerships or customers since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding, the DeDUST project is poised to drive technological advancements and market expansion, positioning the company as a key player in space debris detection and SSA.

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

Since receiving EIC Accelerator funding in March 2023, arcsec NV, a Belgian company specializing in attitude determination and control systems for small satellites, has been actively expanding its team. They have advertised several key positions, including:
  • Production Engineer: Responsible for assembling and testing satellite components, ensuring quality through various tests, and managing the supply chain. (spacecareers.starseu.net)
  • Embedded Software Engineer: Tasked with developing and testing software for attitude determination and control systems, implementing control algorithms, and setting up data protocols. (spacecareers.starseu.net)
  • Assembly, Integration, and Verification (AIV) Engineer: Focused on assembling systems like star trackers and reaction wheels, creating test procedures, and conducting functional and environmental test campaigns. (spacecrew.com)

These roles indicate that arcsec NV is currently hiring and aiming to strengthen its engineering capabilities. While specific details about the company's current headcount or team size are not publicly available, the recruitment of these positions suggests a strategic effort to scale operations and enhance product development.

The addition of these specialized roles is crucial for arcsec NV's future growth. By bolstering their engineering team, the company is better positioned to meet increasing demand, innovate in satellite technology, and maintain high-quality standards. This expansion aligns with the broader trend in Belgium, where 45% of employers anticipated creating new jobs in the fourth quarter of 2023, driven by talent shortages and the need for skilled professionals. (manpowergroup.be)

No major changes in arcsec NV's management or founding team have been publicly reported since March 2023.

7 The Media Features and Publications

As of April 15, 2025, there is limited publicly available information regarding media features, publications, podcasts, interviews, conferences, fairs, presentations, or events involving arcsec NV since they received EIC Accelerator funding on March 22, 2023. The available data primarily pertains to their participation in the CubeSpec mission, a high-resolution spectroscopy CubeSat project.

Publications Naming arcsec NV Since March 22, 2023:

Arcsec NV is mentioned in the context of the CubeSpec mission in the proceedings of the "Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2024: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave" conference. Specifically, the following papers include contributions from arcsec NV:

  • "CubeSpec: optical payload"
  • "CubeSpec: development of the payload control unit for a high-resolution spectroscopy CubeSat"

These papers discuss the design and development of the CubeSpec mission's optical payload and control unit, highlighting arcsec NV's involvement in these areas. (lux.spie.org)

Content from Publications About arcsec NV Since March 22, 2023:

The aforementioned papers provide detailed insights into arcsec NV's role in the CubeSpec mission. The "CubeSpec: optical payload" paper describes the optical and optomechanical design of the payload, addressing challenges imposed by volume constraints and presenting initial results from a spectrograph prototype. The "CubeSpec: development of the payload control unit for a high-resolution spectroscopy CubeSat" paper focuses on the development of the payload control unit, detailing the design and implementation processes. (lux.spie.org)

Podcasts or Interviews with arcsec NV Team Since March 22, 2023:

No publicly available records of podcasts or interviews featuring the arcsec NV team since the specified date have been found.

Conference and Fair Participation by arcsec NV Since March 22, 2023:

Arcsec NV participated in the "Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2024: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave" conference, held in June 2024. They contributed to multiple sessions related to the CubeSpec mission, including presentations on the optical payload and the development of the payload control unit. (lux.spie.org)

Involvement of arcsec NV in Events Since March 22, 2023:

Beyond their participation in the CubeSpec-related sessions at the 2024 conference, no additional information regarding arcsec NV's involvement in other events since the specified date is available.

Please note that the information provided is based on publicly accessible sources up to April 15, 2025. For the most current and detailed information, it is recommended to consult arcsec NV's official communications or contact the company directly.

EIC Accelerator Winner - 2023