Four Dutch scaleups join EIC quest for unicorns

72 new European scaleups from 24 countries have been inducted into the European Innovation Council's EIC Scaling Club. Among them, Dutch companies are poised to make significant strides. The initiative, which saw its latest cohort unveiled at the Scale 100 Forum in Athens, features a diverse array of deeptech markets. Four Dutch companies are part of the cohort: AMT Medical, Battolyser Systems, Sensius Technology, and Vivici.

The European Innovation Council (EIC) is the European Union's deeptech investment agency. Its Scaling Club is an exclusive gathering of high-potential companies, aiming to turn 20% of them into unicorns—companies worth $1 billion. The EIC's multifaceted support facilitates fundraising, leadership mentoring, corporate partnership identification, media visibility, and talent acquisition. It's a launchpad for the next generation of industry leaders in deep tech sectors, ranging from clean energy to biotechnology and beyond.

Innovative cardiovascular solutions

AMT Medical is redefining cardiovascular treatments with its revolutionary Elana Heart Bypass System. Targeting the grim statistics of coronary artery disease, its mission is to make open-heart bypass surgery obsolete. Through sutureless procedures and minimally invasive techniques, it aims to significantly reduce recovery times and complications associated with traditional surgery. This innovation not only promises to transform patient outcomes but also aligns with the medical sector's pursuit of less invasive treatment options.

The Elana Heart Bypass System's approach, which involves small incisions and negates the need for a heart-lung machine, could soon become the standard for bypass surgeries. Their technology is a beacon for advancing cardiovascular therapies, one of the six market sectors the EIC Scaling Club focuses on. The potential for this Dutch company to scale and impact the global market is substantial, considering the universal need for improved heart surgery methods.

Revolutionizing green energy storage

Another Dutch company making waves is Battolyser Systems, whose eponymous Battolyser® represents a significant leap in energy storage technology. Invented by Prof. Dr. Fokko Mulder and his team at the Delft University of Technology, the Battolyser® is an integrated battery and electrolyzer that excels in storing electricity and producing green hydrogen. This aligns perfectly with the EIC's emphasis on batteries and energy storage, which is crucial for the transition to renewable energy sources.

The Battolyser® stands out for its operational flexibility, offering solutions for both grid-connected and off-grid scenarios. Its efficient use of low-cost raw materials, like nickel and iron, makes it a competitive and sustainable option in the green energy storage market. The technology's alignment with Europe's Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) further enhances its potential for rapid scaling and substantial market impact.

Enhancing cancer treatment

Sensius Thermotherapy offers a new horizon for cancer treatment with its state-of-the-art thermotherapy technology. By increasing the temperature of tumors, Sensius aims to improve the efficacy of traditional cancer therapies while reducing their toxicity. This not only leads to better clinical outcomes but also enhances the quality of life for patients, a core ambition of the EIC Scaling Club's mission to support life-changing innovations.

The Dutch firm's technology allows for the controlled heating of deep-seated tumors, preserving surrounding healthy tissues. With endorsements from key opinion leaders in the field, Sensius is poised to become a leader in thermotherapy. Their commitment to research and collaboration with renowned clinical teams worldwide underscores their potential to scale and contribute significantly to the fight against cancer.

Pioneering sustainable food systems

Vivici is another Dutch company that has joined the EIC Scaling Club, with a vision to transform the global food landscape. Faced with the daunting challenge of meeting the world's rising protein demand sustainably, Vivici employs precision fermentation technology to produce animal-free, highly nutritious protein. This innovative approach not only complements traditional protein sources but also offers a sustainable alternative that could revolutionize the food industry.

The team behind Vivici, including experts from DSM and Fonterra, is driven by the passion to make the food system more future-proof. Their dedication to developing and commercializing precision fermentation underscores the potential impact of their work. Precision fermentation-derived ingredients are poised to play a significant role in the future of food, offering a sustainable and palatable alternative to traditional sources.