Dracula Technologies’ Funding Milestone
Dracula Technologies, based in Valence, France, is making significant strides in the realm of sustainable energy with the recent completion of its Series A funding round, which has now been extended to a total of €30 million. This funding round saw participation from existing investors, including the Banque des Territoires, representing the French State under the “France 2030” initiative, as well as from the MGI Digital Technology Group, a key player in the digital printing sector. The extension also introduced the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund as a new strategic partner, further solidifying the startup’s financial foundation for future growth.
The CEO and founder of Dracula Technologies, Brice Cruchon, expressed his pride in the achievement, crediting the dedicated efforts of his team and the unwavering support from their long-term investors, now joined by the EIC Fund. Cruchon highlighted that the new funding will enable the company to bolster its industrial base in France, paving the way for future manufacturing closer to critical markets while initiating discussions with industrial partners for enhanced global deployment.
Innovative Energy Solutions
Founded in 2012, Dracula Technologies specializes in ambient-light energy solutions that power low-energy devices without the need for traditional batteries. Their proprietary technology, called LAYER, integrates organic photovoltaic (OPV) modules, which are produced using patented digital printing techniques to harvest indoor ambient light. The company’s latest product, LAYER Vault, combines energy harvesting and storage into a single flexible film, ensuring continuous operation for various applications, including Smart Buildings and IoT devices.
This funding marks Dracula Technologies’ alignment with a broader trend in Europe, where investments in clean and smart energy solutions are growing. In 2025, several startups have also received notable funding, such as etalytics in Germany and Clevergy in Spain, indicating a vibrant ecosystem focused on energy efficiency and sustainability. However, Dracula Technologies occupies a unique niche within this landscape by focusing specifically on battery-free IoT solutions powered by ambient light.
Future Prospects and Industrial Growth
The combined support from investors reflects a strong belief in Dracula Technologies’ potential to capture a significant share of the rapidly evolving €10 billion battery replacement market, which is projected to expand fivefold by 2030. Svetoslava Georgieva, Chair of the EIC Fund Board, stated that their investment emphasizes a commitment to innovative European technologies that address the pressing need to reduce battery dependency in connected electronics, aligning with the EU’s sustainability goals.
The new capital infusion will enable Dracula Technologies to scale its production capabilities significantly. The company aims to transition its manufacturing process from sheet-to-sheet to roll-to-roll Inkjet production, which is expected to quadruple its annual output to 600 million cm² at its advanced facility in Valence, recognized as the largest dedicated production site for OPV modules globally. With production yields nearing 95%, the company is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions across various sectors.
As Dracula Technologies continues to fulfill multi-year contracts with global leaders to replace batteries in billions of devices using only ambient light, the company is poised to reinforce its status as a leader in the field of sustainable power for IoT applications. The innovative technology and strategic partnerships developed through this funding round are expected to play a crucial role in advancing the company’s mission and supporting a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
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