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XenomatiX and the EIC Accelerator: Lidar Turned to Road Scanning

September 29, 2026973 words5 min

Lidar measures distance with laser light and gives self-driving and driver-assistance systems a 3D picture of the road. XenomatiX, founded in Leuven in 2013, builds lidar with no moving parts, and also sells road-scanning systems that measure cracks, ruts and potholes from a moving vehicle.

The European Innovation Council granted €2,482,564 towards a €3.55 million project that ran from November 2022 to October 2024 and promised "the 1st true solid-state LiDAR with 100% proven silicon components to supply the B€ automotive Lidar market". According to the CORDIS report, "the performance targets of range, accuracy and precision are met". The report names no carmaker customer. XenomatiX's accounts show its gross margin falling from €4.41 million to €2.93 million in the year to June 2025.

€2.48MEIC grant, 70% of a €3.55M project
€2.93MGross margin, year to June 2025
€2.15MNet loss, year to June 2025
€22.5MEquity, June 2025

Company file

Legal entity
XenomatiX NV, BE 0537.868.067, Leuven
Founded
30 August 2013
CEO
Filip Geuens
Staff
Around 50, per company
Products
Xavia solid-state lidar; XenoTrack and XenoBike road scanning; GPC360 mapping
Investors
BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity, Capricorn Fusion China Fund and others (2021)
EIC project
SE€, 1 Nov 2022 to 31 Oct 2024
EIC funding
Grant first; no EIC Fund investment reported

Where XenomatiX Stands Today

The EIC's impact page lists the "commercial launch of solid state Lidar Xavia" in July 2025 and delivery of the first combined lidar and camera sensors in December 2025. Its automotive news since then is a giveaway: in March 2026 Siemens won an Xavia in a free lidar contest, to use in "autonomous driving and ADAS projects". Its other 2026 announcements are about roads. In April Australia's National Transport Research Organisation adopted its 6D road scanning, and in June the Belgian Road Research Centre chose XenoBike to build "full digital twins of pavement surfaces across roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks".

The Technology: Lidar Without Moving Parts

XenomatiX's lidar has "zero moving parts", according to the project description: it projects laser light and reads the reflections on semiconductor chips. CORDIS credits the project with the "invention of a solid state line scanning projector allowing to use SPAD technology", an algorithm that handles bright reflectors, and an assembly process "reducing assembly and calibration steps to minimum". The company says Xavia measures objects up to 140 metres away.

"One of the strongest unique features of Xavia is the potential to stand shoulder to shoulder with cameras."

XenomatiX, on the Xavia launch, 2025

What the EIC Project Promised, and What CORDIS Shows

The project described its lidar as "a complete system-on-chip as demanded by automotive OEMs" and aimed at the automotive lidar market. CORDIS confirms the technical targets were met and the manufacturing process was optimised. It does not report a carmaker order, and none has been announced since.

  1. Solid-state lidar performanceDeliveredTargets met, per CORDIS.
  2. Efficient manufacturingDeliveredAssembly steps cut.
  3. Commercial productDeliveredXavia on sale 2025.
  4. Supply to carmakersNot shownNo OEM deal public.

What Has Happened Since the Award

The Money

XenomatiX's financial year ends on 30 June. In the year to June 2025 its operating loss was €3.04 million and its net loss €2.15 million, up from €0.35 million a year earlier. Its equity nevertheless rose from €15.1 million to €22.5 million, and the Belgian Official Gazette records capital and share changes in July, September and November 2024 and February 2025. Who invested in those capital increases, and how much, has not been announced. The last round the company announced was the March 2021 investment by BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity and eight other investors, to "accelerate the industrialisation of price competitive lidar modules".

What cannot be checked

XenomatiX's turnover, how many Xavia units it has sold, how much of its business comes from road inspection rather than cars, and who funded its 2024 and 2025 capital increases are not public.

Why Europe Should Care

The EIC paid most of a project meant to give European carmakers a lidar made in Europe from silicon parts. The technology works, according to CORDIS, but the customers XenomatiX has named since are road authorities and researchers, not carmakers.

What the project promised

The first true solid-state lidar from silicon parts, for the automotive market.

What the record shows

Targets met and Xavia on sale, but no carmaker deal, road-scanning contracts and a shrinking gross margin.

The Verdict

Working lidar, missing carmakers

SE€ delivered its technical goals. The automotive market it was aimed at has not shown up in public, and XenomatiX's accounts weakened in the year Xavia launched.

XenomatiX has not been asked for comment for this article. It is based entirely on company statements, Belgian company filings and EU project data, linked throughout.

Start with the EIC Accelerator

Professional proposal writing and expert review for Step 1 and Step 2.

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#XenomatiX#lidar#solid-state lidar#autonomous driving#road inspection#automotive#Belgium
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