Why Dracula Technologies raised €30M ?

The battery-free IoT revolution has taken a significant leap forward with Dracula Technologies completing its Series A extension round, bringing total funding to €30 million. This French deeptech company, headquartered in Valence, has positioned itself at the forefront of sustainable energy solutions by developing innovative technology that eliminates the need for traditional batteries in billions of connected devices worldwide.

Battery-Free IoT Technology Powers Indoor Devices

At the heart of Dracula Technologies’ innovation lies LAYER®, a groundbreaking organic photovoltaic technology that transforms ambient indoor light into electricity. Unlike conventional solar panels designed for outdoor use, LAYER® modules are specifically engineered to harvest energy from low-light indoor environments. These ultra-thin, flexible films can be customized to fit any device form factor, making them ideal for smart building sensors, asset trackers, remote controls, and various IoT devices. The battery-free IoT technology works by converting light into sustainable micro-power, enabling devices to operate continuously without requiring battery replacements. This eliminates the environmental and operational burden of traditional batteries, addressing a critical sustainability challenge.

Quadrupling Production Capacity at Green Factory

The €30 million funding will directly fuel Dracula Technologies’ ambitious production expansion plans. The company operates the Green MicroPower Factory in Valence, France—currently the world’s largest dedicated facility for printed organic photovoltaic modules. With the new investment, production capacity will quadruple from 150 million cm² to 600 million cm² annually. The company has already achieved production yields approaching 95%, demonstrating manufacturing efficiency that positions it to serve global markets at scale. Beyond expanding the Valence facility, Dracula Technologies plans to establish additional manufacturing capacity closer to key international markets while creating jobs in France.

Capturing the €10 Billion Battery Replacement Market

Dracula Technologies is strategically positioned to capture a significant share of the battery replacement market, estimated at €10 billion and projected to grow fivefold by 2030. The company is already fulfilling multi-year, high-volume contracts with global industry leaders committed to replacing batteries in billions of devices. Approximately 15 billion batteries are discarded annually, creating massive environmental waste. The costs and logistics of battery replacement—particularly for devices in remote or hard-to-reach locations—represent substantial operational burdens for businesses. Dracula Technologies’ battery-free IoT approach eliminates these challenges entirely, offering both sustainability and cost efficiency to enterprise customers seeking alternatives to traditional battery-powered solutions.

European Innovation Council Backs Sustainable Energy

The Series A extension round brought together a powerful consortium of strategic investors, signaling strong institutional confidence in battery-free IoT technology. The funding was led by Banque des Territoires, acting on behalf of the French State under the “France 2030” program, alongside MGI Digital Technology Group and historical private investors. The European Innovation Council Fund joined as a new strategic partner. The EIC Fund specifically supports breakthrough European technologies that advance sustainability, digital resilience, and industrial autonomy. MGI Digital Technology Group brings unique value as both shareholder and supplier, providing digital printing solutions essential to Dracula’s manufacturing process while enabling worldwide deployment.

Eliminating Batteries from Billions of Connected Devices

Dracula Technologies aims to eliminate batteries from billions of connected devices worldwide within the next five years. This vision addresses the unsustainable reliance on disposable and rechargeable batteries in the rapidly expanding IoT ecosystem. The battery-free IoT approach offers environmental benefits by eliminating waste from billions of discarded batteries annually while reducing carbon footprint. Operationally, devices powered by LAYER® technology require no maintenance for battery replacement, dramatically reducing total cost of ownership. Current deployments span smart building systems, asset tracking solutions, industrial automation sensors, and consumer electronics. Founded in 2012 by CEO Brice Cruchon, the company has earned recognition including Best of Sensors Awards 2024.

Conclusion

As the world accelerates toward a future with tens of billions of connected devices, Dracula Technologies is uniquely positioned to lead the battery-free IoT transformation. With €30 million in fresh funding, world-class manufacturing capabilities approaching 95% yield rates, and strong institutional backing from the European Innovation Council and French government, the company is ready to scale globally. The battery-free IoT revolution is powered by ambient light—sustainable, maintenance-free energy that’s already present in every indoor environment. For businesses seeking eco-friendly power solutions for their connected devices, the future is here, and it doesn’t require batteries.