🔥Hot Seed Deals: Hephaistos-Pharma, VoltR, Klineo & Edonia

What: Hephaistos-Pharma, a biotech startup developing treatments to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer.

Why: Emerging next-generation immunotherapies have the potential to increase patient cure rates.

Funding: €4.5 million Seed Round + €5.8 million non-dilutive funding from the EIC accelerator, Bpifrance iNov, and France 2030 clinical grant.  
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Who: Co- founders Martine Caroff & Frédéric Caroff

Investors: Elaia, Xista Science Ventures, Fondation Fournier-Majoie, Noshaq, Angels Santé & Femmes Business Angels.

What's next: The new funding will finance the industrialization of drug production and regulatory toxicity studies to submit a marketing authorization application in Europe.

What: VoltR, a producer of reconditioned lithium batteries.

Why: To industrialize lithium battery reconditioning in Europe.

Funding: €4 million
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Who: Co- founders Maxime Bleskine, Alban Regnier, François Mallet, Thibaud Maufront

Investors: C4 Ventures, Exergon, Pays de la Loire Participations & Anjou Amorçage.

What's next: With the funds raised, VoltR will continue the initial stages of the company's development, including optimizing reconditioning processes, Research & Development, and recruiting new talents. Fundraising for its Series A round is underway and the company expects it to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2024.

What: Klineo, a digital health startup that uses an AI-based platform that connects doctors and patients directly with relevant clinical trials.

Why: More patients are willing to participate in trials of experimental treatments, but often don't know about them.

Funding: €2 million
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Who: Co- founders Thomas Peyresblanques & Dr Arnaud Bayle

Investors: Bpifrance & various Business Angels

What's next: Currently, the platform notably covers clinical trials in breast cancer, skin cancer & lymphoma. The new funding will go towards enabling it to cover all cancers in France by the end of 2024.

What: Edonia, a B2B ingredient supplier in the field of protein materials.

Why: To produce healthy, high-protein alternatives to meat using ingredients based on microalgae (spirulina, chlorella).

Funding: €2 million
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Who: Co- founders Hugo Valentin & Florent Malbranche

Investors: Asterion Ventures, Bpifrance & various Business Angels including Alexis Angot (Ynsect), Laurent Cardinali (Danone, Mondelez), Hugo Dupuis (Umiami), Samuel Nahon (Terroirs d’Avenir), Anne Cabotin (Symrise)

What's next: The fresh cash will enable the company to industrialize its technology and extend its R&D.