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Spika Tech and the EIC Accelerator: Heart Rhythms in 3D

September 29, 2026818 words5 min

Spika Tech, founded in Madrid in 2015, works on artificial intelligence, extended reality and robotics. Its medical product, VR-CARDIO, is meant to show cardiologists the heart's electrical activity as a 3D hologram, viewed in virtual or augmented reality, to diagnose arrhythmias and plan ablation procedures.

The European Innovation Council granted €2,499,999 towards a €3.59 million project that ran from September 2022 to June 2025. The CORDIS report says the software "passed its CE audit" and that certification as a Class IIb medical device was "expected in July 2025". Spika Tech has not announced the certificate or a sale since. Spanish register data compiled by Empresia put its sales under €500,000 a year.

€2.50MEIC grant, 70% of a €3.59M project
TRL 8Readiness reached, per CORDIS
IIbMedical device class sought
<€0.5MAnnual sales, register data

Company file

Legal entity
Spika Tech SL, Madrid, Spain
Founded
October 2015
Share capital
€913,000
Projects
VR-CARDIO, PRAS care robot, Magellan-Elcano VR exhibition, European Defence Fund projects
Certification
ISO 13485 (2024), ISO 27001 (2025)
EIC project
VR-CARDIO, 1 Sep 2022 to 30 Jun 2025, closed
EIC funding
Blended finance

Where Spika Tech Stands Today

Spika Tech's news page ends in July 2025, when it showed VR-CARDIO at WHX Miami and BIO 2025 in Boston and was a finalist at Al Andalus Innovation Venture 2025. Its homepage now gives prominence to work on four European Defence Fund projects, which it lists with budgets of €19 million to €69.7 million, without stating its own share. Its VR-CARDIO page offers instructions for use for download but no price, customer or CE certificate. The register shows no capital increase since January 2021 and an administrator change in July 2024.

The Technology: A Sensor Suit and a Hologram

According to the company, VR-CARDIO combines an IoT suit, electronics and software with 3D, 360-degree visualisation and AI, offering "diagnóstico más rápido, seguro y preciso sin necesidad de cirugías invasivas ni catéteres" (faster, safer, more precise diagnosis without invasive surgery or catheters). CORDIS says validation confirmed "its ability to generate 3D cardiac maps from ECG signals in real-world settings", after pilot studies with cardiologists and electrophysiologists in Spain. We found no published study and no trial on ClinicalTrials.gov.

"TRL 8-validated and ready for commercialisation after CE approval."

VR-CARDIO report, CORDIS

What the EIC Project Promised, and What CORDIS Shows

The project promised "a unique medical tool for visualization and diagnosis of arrhythmia". CORDIS reports the system validated at TRL 8, a CE audit passed and a plan for a "commercial rollout" starting in Spain, then Europe and the US, with SaaS pricing.

  1. A working systemDeliveredTRL 8, per CORDIS.
  2. Clinical pilotsDeliveredSpain; unpublished.
  3. CE markingNot shownExpected July 2025.
  4. Commercial rolloutNot shownNo customer named.

What Has Happened Since the Award

The Money

The award was blended finance; we found no public record of an EIC Fund investment, and the register shows no capital increase after January 2021. Spika Tech's revenue, profit and headcount were not available in the sources we used.

What cannot be checked

Whether VR-CARDIO has received its CE certificate, the results of the Spanish pilot studies, whether the EIC Fund invested, and Spika Tech's share of the defence projects are not public.

Why Europe Should Care

The EIC paid for a cardiac device to reach the edge of certification. Fifteen months after the certificate was expected, there is no public sign that it has reached a hospital, while the company's public profile has shifted towards defence projects.

What the project promised

A unique medical tool for visualising and diagnosing arrhythmia.

What the record shows

A TRL 8 system and a passed CE audit, but no certificate, customer or publication on record.

The Verdict

At the door, not through it

VR-CARDIO got close to market with EIC money. Without an announced CE mark, a published study or a first customer, the public record cannot show that it has crossed the line.

Spika Tech has not been asked for comment for this article. It is based entirely on company statements, EU project data and Spanish register information, linked throughout.

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Eureka Network

Eureka Network offers multiple international collaborative R&D programs including Network Projects, Clusters, Eurostars, Globalstars, and Innowwide, with funding ranging from €50K to €6.75M per project depending on the specific program. The network focuses on market-driven innovation and deep-tech development across diverse technology sectors including ICT/Digital, Industrial/Manufacturing, Bio/Medical Technologies, Energy/Environment, Quantum, AI, and Circular Economy. Applicants include SMEs, large enterprises, research organizations, universities, and startups, with Eurostars specifically targeting R&D-performing SMEs.

EIC Transition

EIC Transition provides up to €2.5 million in funding to bridge the 'valley of death' between laboratory research and market deployment, focusing on technology maturation and validation. The program supports single legal entities or small consortia of 2-5 partners including SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs, and research organizations. Technology areas include Health/Medical Technologies, Green/Environmental Innovation, Digital/Microelectronics, Quantum Technologies, and AI/Robotics.

EIC STEP Scale-Up

EIC STEP Scale-Up offers substantial equity investments of €10-30 million for established deep-tech companies ready for hyper-growth and large-scale expansion. The program targets SMEs or small mid-caps with up to 499 employees who have secured pre-commitment from qualified investors. Focus areas include Digital & Deep Tech (Semiconductors, AI, Quantum), Clean Technologies for Net-Zero goals, and Biotechnologies.

EIC Pre-Accelerator

EIC Pre-Accelerator is a pilot program providing €300,000-€500,000 in funding for early-stage deep-tech development and preparation for the EIC Accelerator program. The initiative is exclusively available to single SMEs or small mid-caps from 'Widening countries' to support regional innovation development. The program covers deep-tech innovations across physical, biological, and digital domains.

EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges

EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges is a new pilot program offering €300,000 (Stage 1) and up to €2.5 million (Stage 2) for breakthrough deep-tech solutions through ARPA-style staged funding with demand-side integration. The program targets single entities or small consortia (2-3 partners) including SMEs, start-ups, and research organizations. Focus areas include Physical AI for autonomous robotics and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for animal-free biomedical testing, requiring TRL 4 entry with end-user commitment.

EIC Pathfinder

EIC Pathfinder offers up to €3 million for Open calls and up to €4 million for Challenge-based calls to support early-stage research and development with proof-of-principle validation. The program requires research consortia with a minimum of 3 partners from 3 different countries, including universities, research organizations, and SMEs. Technology focus areas include Health/Medical, Quantum Technologies, AI, Environmental/Energy, and Advanced Materials.

EIC Accelerator

EIC Accelerator provides flexible funding options including blended finance (€2.5M grant + €0.5M-€10M equity), grant-only (up to €2.5M), or equity-only arrangements for scale-up and market deployment of breakthrough innovations. The program targets SMEs, start-ups, and small mid-caps with up to 499 employees, with MedTech/Healthcare representing 35% of funded projects. Other technology areas include Biopharma, Energy, AI, Quantum, Aerospace, Advanced Materials, and Semiconductors.

Innovation Partnership

Innovation Partnership facilitates collaborative innovation between public and private sectors with typical funding of €1-5 million per project. The program supports cross-sectoral strategic technologies through public-private partnerships and consortia. Projects focus on addressing societal challenges through collaborative innovation approaches.

Innovation Fund

The EU Innovation Fund provides substantial funding of €7.5 million to €300 million for large-scale demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies. The program targets clean energy, carbon capture, renewable energy, and energy storage technologies to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Applicants include large companies, consortia, and public entities capable of implementing large-scale demonstration projects.

Innovate UK

Innovate UK offers various programs with funding ranging from £25K to £10M depending on the specific initiative, supporting business-led innovation, collaborative R&D, and knowledge transfer. The organization funds projects across all sectors with particular focus on emerging technologies and supports UK-based businesses, research organizations, and universities. Programs are designed to drive economic growth through innovation and technology commercialization.

Industrial Partnership

Industrial Partnership provides €2-10 million in funding for industrial research and innovation partnerships focusing on manufacturing, industrial technologies, and digital transformation. The program supports industrial consortia and research organizations in developing collaborative solutions for industrial challenges. Projects aim to strengthen European industrial competitiveness through strategic partnerships.

Eurostars

Eurostars is a joint EU-Eureka program offering €50K-€500K for international R&D collaboration specifically led by SMEs. The program takes a bottom-up approach, accepting projects from all technology fields without predefined thematic restrictions. R&D-performing SMEs must lead the consortium and demonstrate significant R&D activities.

LIFE Programme

The LIFE Programme provides €1-10 million in funding for environmental protection, climate action, and nature conservation projects across the European Union. The program supports environmental technologies, climate adaptation strategies, and biodiversity conservation initiatives. Applicants include public authorities, private companies, NGOs, and research institutions working on environmental and climate challenges.

Neotec

Neotec is a Spanish program offering €250K-€1M in funding for technology-based business creation and development, supporting the growth of innovative Spanish SMEs and start-ups. The program covers all technology sectors and aims to strengthen Spain's technology ecosystem. Funding is specifically targeted at Spanish technology-based SMEs and start-ups to enhance their competitiveness and market presence.

Thematic Priorities

EU Thematic Priorities encompass various programs aligned with EU strategic priorities including green transition, digital transformation, health, and security initiatives. Funding amounts vary based on the specific program and call requirements, with projects designed to address key European challenges. Applicant eligibility varies by specific program and call, with different requirements for different thematic areas.
EIC AcceleratorBeneficiary Deep Dive#Spika Tech#VR-CARDIO#cardiology#arrhythmia#virtual reality#medical devices#European Defence Fund#Spain
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