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 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in Europe that are developing groundbreaking technologies and innovations. The program aims to bridge the funding gap that often exists for high-risk, high-potential projects, particularly in the DeepTech sector, where technological advancements can take significant time and resources to develop and commercialize.
The EIC Accelerator provides a unique blended finance model that combines grants and equity investments, allowing companies to access substantial funding to propel their innovations. The grant component can amount to up to €2.5 million, aimed at covering costs associated with research and development, prototyping, and market entry. Since 2025, the equity component has been capped at €10 million, down from the previous limit of €15 million, allowing the EIC to invest in more startups and diversify its portfolio. This funding mechanism is designed to facilitate not just the initial development of technologies but also their scaling and commercialization in global markets.
Purpose in the DeepTech and Startup Ecosystem
The EIC Accelerator plays a pivotal role in fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem in Europe, particularly in the DeepTech space. By focusing on high-impact innovations, the program encourages research-driven entrepreneurship that can address pressing societal challenges. The funding provided by the EIC Accelerator not only aids in the development of cutting-edge technologies but also serves as a validation tool, helping startups attract additional investments from private sectors. This co-funding approach is crucial for startups that often struggle to secure sufficient capital due to the inherent risks associated with pioneering new technologies.
UROMEMS and the UroAct Project
UROMEMS, a French company that emerged as an EIC Accelerator winner in June 2023, has developed a project known as UroAct. This innovative initiative aims to restore dignity and a normal quality of life for individuals suffering from severe Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), a condition that significantly affects the daily lives of both women and men.
Project Overview: UroAct
UroAct seeks to address the limitations of current treatments for SUI, which can often be invasive and carry various risks. The project focuses on a novel, minimally invasive solution that leverages advanced microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. By employing this technology, UROMEMS aims to develop a device that can effectively manage SUI with minimal discomfort and better outcomes for patients.
Technology Basics and Background
The technology behind UroAct integrates sophisticated MEMS, which are small mechanical devices fabricated using integrated circuit batch processing techniques. This allows for high precision and miniaturization, essential for creating devices that can interact effectively with human physiology. The MEMS-based solution is designed to be inserted into the body in a minimally invasive way, providing real-time monitoring and control of urinary function.
The concept stems from a deep understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying SUI, as well as advancements in materials science and biomedical engineering. The UroAct device aims not only to alleviate symptoms but also to empower patients by providing them with a practical and less invasive alternative to existing treatments.
UROMEMS’ approach embodies a commitment to enhancing patient outcomes while addressing a significant unmet medical need. By securing EIC Accelerator funding, UROMEMS is poised to advance the UroAct project through rigorous clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and subsequent market entry, ultimately contributing to improved quality of life for individuals affected by SUI. The support from the EIC Accelerator not only validates the technology but also positions UROMEMS as a frontrunner in the medical device landscape, capable of attracting additional private investments essential for scaling operations.
In summary, the EIC Accelerator program stands as a critical conduit for innovation in Europe, enabling startups like UROMEMS to turn visionary ideas into reality, thereby making significant contributions to healthcare and enhancing the lives of many.
2 The Funding Rounds
# UroMems: A Comprehensive Financial OverviewUroMems, a global company based in France with offices in Grenoble and Minneapolis, has successfully secured significant funding to develop its innovative mechatronics technology for treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The company has experienced substantial financial growth since its founding in 2011 by Professor Pierre Mozer, Hamid Lamraoui, and Stéphane Lavallée.
EIC Accelerator Funding
In June 2023, UroMems received a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program. This funding was awarded to support pivotal clinical trials of the UroActive™ System in the United States and Europe. UroMems was one of only 47 companies selected from nearly 650 proposals in this highly competitive funding round.
Additionally, the company received an undisclosed amount of Early VC funding from the EIC Fund in June 2024.
Funding Rounds and Financial History
UroMems has successfully completed multiple funding rounds: Series A and Series B Prior to November 2023, UroMems had secured two financing rounds totaling €46 million. These rounds were led by Wellington Partners, Bpifrance, Supernova Invest, b-to-v Partners AG, Cita Investissement, Hil-Invent, Financière Arbevel, and the founders.
In June 2023, the company completed a Series B round that included a €7 million investment from Hil-Invent. At this time, the company was valued at €80 million.
Series C Most recently, on June 25, 2024, UroMems announced its largest fundraising round to date, raising $47 million (€44 million) in Series C financing. This record-breaking round was led by Crédit Mutuel Innovation and joined by the European Innovation Council. Existing investors Wellington Partners, Bpifrance, Supernova Invest, Hil-Invent, b-to-v Partners, and Financière Arbevel also participated in this round.
The Series C funding will support large-scale U.S. and European pivotal clinical trials of the UroActive™ implant, which is described as the first smart automated artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) to treat stress urinary incontinence.
Investor Information
UroMems has attracted a diverse group of investors across its funding rounds:
- Crédit Mutuel Innovation: Led the Series C round in June 2024
- European Innovation Council: Participated in Series C funding and provided the €2.5 million grant in June 2023
- Wellington Partners: Participated in multiple funding rounds
- Bpifrance: Consistent investor across multiple rounds
- Supernova Invest: Participated in multiple funding rounds
- Hil-Invent: Invested €7 million in the Series B round and participated in Series C
- b-to-v Partners: Participated in multiple funding rounds
- Financière Arbevel: Participated in multiple funding rounds
- Cita Investissement: Earlier investor in the company
Company Valuation
As of June 2023, UroMems was valued at €80 million following its Series B funding round. The company's valuation following the June 2024 Series C round has not been disclosed in the provided information.
Exit Events
There is no information in the provided search results about any exit events such as IPOs, buyouts, or acquisitions involving UroMems. The company appears to be continuing its growth trajectory as a private entity, focusing on clinical trials and regulatory approvals for its UroActive™ System.
Product and Clinical Progress
The UroActive™ System, UroMems' flagship product, is described as the first smart automated artificial urinary sphincter designed to treat stress urinary incontinence. The company has reported positive results from its first-in-man multicenter clinical study, including successful six-month primary endpoint data for the first female patient to receive the UroActive System.
The Series C funding secured in June 2024 will support pivotal clinical trials necessary for regulatory submissions in multiple countries.
Sources: - UroMems company information, funding & investors | New York
- UroMems company information, funding & investors | Sweden tech
- UroMems Raises Record $47 million (€44 Million) in Series C Financing
- UroMems receives funding award from European Innovation Council
3 The Press Releases
UroMems Advances Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment with EIC Accelerator FundingUroMems, a France-based medical technology company, secured funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator in late 2023 to advance its UroActive™ System, a smart active implant designed to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The EIC award supports pivotal clinical trials in the U.S. and Europe for this groundbreaking technology.
Key Developments
- Technology: The UroActive System uses a MyoElectroMechanical System (MEMS) to automatically adjust pressure around the urethra based on patient activity, eliminating manual adjustments. It represents the first active implant for SUI.
- Milestones: The company successfully implanted its device in a female patient for the first time shortly before announcing the EIC award. This achievement marked a critical step toward addressing SUI in women, who represent a significant portion of patients.
- Regulatory Progress: UroMems received the FDA’s Safer Technologies Program (STeP) designation for UroActive, streamlining regulatory review and underscoring its potential to improve safety over existing treatments.
- Funding Impact: As one of 47 winners selected from nearly 650 applicants in this round, UroMems will use EIC funding to accelerate clinical validation and commercialization efforts.
The EIC Accelerator program operates under Horizon Europe’s €95 billion framework, targeting high-potential SMEs developing transformative technologies. For UroMems, this recognition validates its mission to restore dignity and quality of life for millions globally suffering from chronic SUI.
Sources
-auto-appended source: PDF Version of Press ReleaseNote: While no direct press release matching June 21, 2023 cut-off dates was found in available sources, latest public updates confirm November 2023 announcements aligning with typical post-interview timelines after Step 2 submissions earlier that year¹⁵. Social media or additional blog posts were not accessible via provided data.
4 The Technology Advancements
UroMems: Current Capabilities and Advancements
UroMems is a French company specializing in innovative mechatronics technology to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding in June 2023, UroMems has made significant advancements in developing its UroActive smart implant.
Current Capabilities
UroMems is developing the first smart automated artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) for treating SUI. The UroActive system uses a MyoElectroMechanical System (MEMS) and is designed to automatically adjust based on patient activity, eliminating the need for manual adjustments. This technology aims to enhance patient quality of life by providing ease of use and better management of SUI symptoms.
Advancements Since EIC Funding
Following the EIC Accelerator funding, UroMems announced a Series C financing round of $47 million in June 2024. This funding will support large-scale pivotal clinical trials in the U.S. and Europe for the UroActive implant. Additionally, the company successfully completed the first-ever female clinical feasibility study, demonstrating proof of concept and reaching critical milestones in treating SUI in women.
Technology Improvements and New Features
UroMems has continued to innovate its UroActive technology, focusing on improving patient outcomes by offering a more personalized and effective treatment option. The smart implant is designed to provide automatic control based on patient activity, which is a significant improvement over traditional manual systems.
Demonstrations and Clinical Trials
UroMems has actively demonstrated its technology through clinical trials. The company completed enrollment in clinical studies for both male and female SUI patients, with trials running in parallel under the names SOPHIA and TRANSITION, respectively. Positive results from these studies have been reported, indicating a promising new option for SUI treatment.
Patents and Scientific Studies
While specific details on new patents are not available, UroMems has been actively involved in publishing clinical trial results. The company has announced successful outcomes from its clinical feasibility studies, which will contribute to pivotal trials. Additionally, UroMems received the Safer Technologies Program (STeP) designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for UroActive, recognizing its innovative potential.
Sources
- UroMems Welcomes Medical Device Technology Leader Dan Rose
- UroMems champions positive results for stress urinary incontinence implant
- UroMems SAS - Drug pipelines, Patents, Clinical trials
- UroMems Receives Funding Award from European Innovation Council
- UroMems completes device implants for stress urinary incontinence trial
- UroMems Announces Successful Results in First-Ever Female Clinical Feasibility Study
- UroMems Achieves Major Milestone in First-Ever Smart Implant Study for Female SUI Patients
5 The Partnerships and Customers
UroMems Strategic Partnerships and Market Positioning Post-EIC Accelerator Funding UroMems, a French medical technology company, has solidified key partnerships and secured critical funding to advance its UroActive™ System for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) treatment. Following its EIC Accelerator award in late 2023[^1^], the company announced a $47 million Series C financing round in June 2024, led by Crédit Mutuel Innovation and supported by the European Innovation Council (EIC) alongside existing investors including Wellington Partners, Bpifrance, Supernova Invest, Hil-Invent GmbH, b-to-v Partners AG, and Financière Arbevel[^2^][^3^].Key Partnerships
- Crédit Mutuel Innovation: As the lead investor in the Series C round, Crédit Mutuel’s backing underscores confidence in UroActive’s clinical potential[^2^].
- EIC Accelerator: The non-dilutive funding supports pivotal trials across Europe and the U.S., accelerating regulatory submissions.
- Existing Investors: Wellington Partners, Bpifrance, and others have consistently funded development since early-stage rounds totaling €46 million pre-2023.
Clinical Collaborations
While specific clinical partners remain unnamed publicly, UroMems has completed first-in-human studies across multiple centers, with plans to initiate large-scale pivotal trials in partnership with undisclosed medical institutions. The technology’s design feedback from physicians and patients during pilot trials has been instrumental in refining device functionality.Market Positioning & Technology Advancement
The Series C funding enables:The EIC partnership further bolsters credibility for international regulatory pathways while existing investor continuity ensures scalability through established manufacturing networks. Combined with Crédit Mutuel’s healthcare expertise, these relationships enhance UroMems' ability to address global SUI markets—projected to exceed $4 billion annually—with an automated solution aimed at improving patient quality of life metrics significantly over current options.
Sources
- UroMems Reaches Significant Milestone
- UroMems Raises Record $47 Million (Note: Correct URL not provided; see alternative source or PR Newswire archive)
6 The Hiring and Company Growth
UroMems Team Dynamics and Growth Post-EIC Accelerator Funding UroMems, a French medtech company specializing in smart implantable devices for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), has not publicly disclosed specific details about its current headcount, hiring activities, or recent team expansions. However, insights into its operational scale and strategic priorities can be derived from available information:- Team Structure: As a global company with headquarters in Grenoble (France) and Minneapolis (USA), UroMems maintains cross-functional teams across R&D, clinical operations, and manufacturing. The leadership remains anchored by co-founders Hamid Lamraoui (CEO), Pierre Mozer (CMO), and Stéphane Lavallée.
- Clinical Trial Workforce: The completion of the SOPHIA trial (6 male patients) and ongoing TRANSITION trial for female SUI patients suggests dedicated clinical and regulatory teams managing multi-center studies in France.
- Funding-Driven Scaling: With €46 million raised prior to 2023—including contributions from Wellington Partners and Bpifrance—the company has likely expanded its technical workforce to advance its UroActive™ device toward pivotal trials. Post-EIC Accelerator funding (awarded June 2023), growth would focus on regulatory submissions for FDA/CE Mark approvals.
- Key Leadership Stability: No management changes have been reported since 2021. The co-founders retain executive roles while collaborating with international urology experts like Emmanuel Chartier-Kastler.
While explicit hiring data is unavailable, UroMems’ transition from feasibility studies to pivotal trials implies targeted recruitment in clinical affairs, MEMS engineering, and quality assurance roles to support commercialization efforts post-2025.
Sources
- UroMems - Home
- Study of smart implant for stress urinary incontinence hits enrollment goal
- Company - UroMems
- UroMems completes device implants for stress urinary incontinence trial
7 The Media Features and Publications
UroMems: Media Coverage and Public Engagement Since EIC Accelerator Funding Following its 2023 European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator award, France-based UroMems has garnered significant media attention and participated in high-profile clinical and industry events. Below is a detailed overview of their public presence:Media Features and Publications
- Medical Device Publications: MD+DI extensively covered UroMems’ innovative artificial urinary sphincter (AUS), highlighting its automated control unit that replaces traditional pump-and-balloon systems. Articles emphasized the device’s use of MyoElectromechanical Systems (MEMS) to dynamically adjust pressure, reducing long-term complications like urethral atrophy.
- Clinical Trial Milestones: PR Newswire reported enrollment completion for the first-in-man study of the UroActive™ System in September 2023, followed by successful six-month primary endpoint results for male patients in December 2023 and female patients in February 2025.
Podcasts and Interviews
While no direct podcast links are available, CEO Hamid Lamraoui provided insights into the device’s engineering challenges during interviews with MD+DI. He stressed physician collaboration as critical to refining user requirements and ensuring clinical relevance.Conference Participation
- Clinical Presentations: One-year data from the first female patient treated with UroActive™ were presented at the SUFU meeting in Palm Springs, California, showcasing proof-of-feasibility outcomes.
- Regulatory Preparation: The company has focused on pivotal clinical trials across the U.S. and Europe, supported by its €44 million Series C funding round announced in June 2024.
Event Involvement Post-EIC Award
After securing EIC funding in late 2023, UroMems accelerated preparations for large-scale trials while engaging surgeons through regular feedback sessions to optimize device design. Their participation in international medical conferences underscores their commitment to advancing stress urinary incontinence (SUI) treatments globally.Sources Used
- PR Newswire | Clinical Milestones
- MassDevice | Female SUI Study Results
- MD+DI | Device Design Insights
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