dotLumen Raises EUR 5M Backed by Catalyst Romania Fund II
Deal News | Jan 21, 2025 | Stratulat Albulescu
Catalyst Romania Fund II, a notable venture capital fund, recently led a EUR 5 million financing round for dotLumen, a pioneering research start-up developing innovative solutions for the visually impaired. Among the contributors to this funding round were the European Innovation Council Fund, Tigrim Capital, and SeedBlink. The investment will significantly assist in the commercialization of dotLumen’s 'Glasses for the Blind,' which replicate the functions of guide dogs, and the advancement of their proprietary Pedestrian Autonomous Driving (PAD AI) technology. Founded by Cornel Amariei, who was driven by experiences within his family, dotLumen aims at transforming pedestrian environment navigation through its technologically advanced products. Catalyst Romania, with its Fund II established under Luxembourg laws, continues to bolster technology-driven companies in Romania and Eastern Europe with a vision to groom them as future leaders in the region and on a global scale.
Sectors
- Venture Capital
- Assistive Technology
- Robotics and AI
Geography
- Romania – Catalyst Romania is located in Romania, focusing on technology investments within Eastern Europe.
- Luxembourg – Catalyst Romania Fund II is managed as an alternative investment fund under Luxembourg laws.
Industry
- Venture Capital – Catalyst Romania Fund II is a venture capital firm investing in early growth technology companies.
- Assistive Technology – dotLumen develops assistive technologies such as the 'Glasses for the Blind' that aid visually impaired individuals.
- Robotics and AI – The Pedestrian Autonomous Driving (PAD AI) technology developed by dotLumen incorporates elements of robotics and artificial intelligence.
Financials
- EUR 5 million – Total investment raised in the funding round led by Catalyst Romania Fund II.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| dotLumen | Target company | Company | Research start-up developing 'Glasses for the Blind' and PAD AI technology. |
| Catalyst Romania Fund II | Lead investor | Company | Venture capital fund providing early growth capital in Eastern Europe. |
| European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund | Investor | Company | Provided funding in the investment round for dotLumen. |
| Tigrim Capital | Investor | Company | Participated in the funding round for dotLumen. |
| SeedBlink | Investor | Company | Contributed to the EUR 5 million funding of dotLumen. |
| Stratulat Albulescu | Legal advisor | Company | Legal firm advising Catalyst Romania in the transaction. |
| Cornel Amariei | Founder of dotLumen | Person | Founded dotLumen inspired by his family's disabilities. |
| Silviu Stratulat | Managing Partner | Person | Led the legal team advising the deal from Stratulat Albulescu. |
| Amanda Csaki | Senior Associate | Person | Part of the legal team advising Catalyst Romania. |