GREENWAVES TECHNOLOGIES

Their core work

GreenWaves Technologies is a Grenoble-based semiconductor SME that designs ultra-low-power processors for IoT and edge computing applications. Their core product focus is on enabling efficient AI and signal processing at the edge — where devices need to be smart but power budgets are extremely tight. In H2020, they contributed processor architecture expertise to projects spanning IoT connectivity (HEASIT), energy-efficient computing (OPRECOMP), and cyber-physical systems across automotive, aerospace, energy, and manufacturing domains (CPS4EU).

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

GreenWaves began their H2020 trajectory in 2016 focused on IoT connectivity and efficient access solutions (HEASIT), positioning themselves as a processor company for constrained devices. By 2017-2019, their work shifted toward computation efficiency (OPRECOMP) and then broadened significantly into cyber-physical systems spanning automotive, aerospace, energy, and manufacturing (CPS4EU). This evolution shows a clear trajectory from "making chips for IoT" toward "making intelligent edge processors for industrial CPS applications."

GreenWaves is moving from pure IoT hardware toward embedded intelligence for industrial cyber-physical systems — expect them to pursue projects at the intersection of edge AI, automotive, and smart manufacturing.

How they like to work

GreenWaves operates as both a project leader and a specialist contributor. They coordinated HEASIT (their largest project at EUR 1.18M) while joining larger consortia as a technology provider in OPRECOMP and CPS4EU. With 48 unique partners across 7 countries from just 3 projects, they work in sizable European consortia and bring specific hardware expertise rather than broad program management — a typical pattern for deep-tech SMEs that offer a critical component others cannot replicate.

Despite only 3 projects, GreenWaves has built a network of 48 partners across 7 countries, largely through participation in large-scale ICT and FET consortia. Their base in Grenoble — a major European semiconductor hub — positions them within a strong regional innovation ecosystem.

What sets them apart

GreenWaves occupies a rare niche as a European SME designing application-specific processors for ultra-low-power edge computing — a space dominated by large US and Asian chipmakers. Their Grenoble location places them in Europe's leading semiconductor cluster, and their progression from IoT to CPS shows they can adapt their core hardware IP to multiple industrial verticals. For consortium builders, they offer something hard to find: a small, agile European chip design house with proven EU project experience.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HEASIT
  Their only coordinated project and largest funding (EUR 1.18M) — demonstrates ability to lead an IoT-focused consortium as an SME.
• CPS4EU
  Broadest application scope, spanning automated driving, aerospace, energy, and manufacturing — signals the company's expansion into industrial markets.
• OPRECOMP
  FET project on transprecision computing — shows involvement in fundamental research on energy-efficient computation, not just applied product development.