Dracula Technologies: 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Dracula Technologies is a pioneering French company specializing in sustainable energy solutions, notably through their innovative organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology called LAYER®. Founded in 2011 and based in Valence, France, Dracula Technologies is transforming how low-power electronic devices are energized by harvesting ambient indoor light. This groundbreaking innovation offers a promising alternative to conventional batteries, which are costly, environmentally harmful, and have limited lifespans. As the IoT domain expands dramatically, Dracula Technologies aims to replace billions of batteries powering connected devices, tackling energy challenges while promoting eco-friendly sustainability worldwide. In this article, we explore ten fascinating insights about Dracula Technologies—from its technology and market impact to key milestones and future prospects.

1. Innovative Light-Harvesting Technology: LAYER®

Dracula Technologies’ flagship product, LAYER®, is an advanced organic photovoltaic module that converts ambient light—both natural and artificial—into electricity. Unlike traditional solar panels designed for outdoor use, LAYER® excels in indoor low-light environments, operating efficiently in lux levels as low as 5 to 15,000. The thin, flexible, lightweight modules can be custom-shaped to fit a variety of device form factors. By eliminating reliance on batteries, LAYER® enables autonomous operation of IoT sensors, asset trackers, smart home devices, and more. This technology is transformative in reducing device maintenance and environmental impact caused by disposable batteries.

2. Sustainable Alternative to Batteries

Batteries, especially lithium-ion types, contribute significantly to environmental pollution due to low recycling rates and the extraction of rare metals. Traditional batteries can take thousands of years to degrade, contaminating soil and water. Dracula Technologies addresses this issue by producing organic photovoltaic cells from carbon-based materials that are non-toxic, more recyclable, and have a lower carbon payback period. LAYER® modules harness light energy to power devices continuously for up to 10 years or more, dramatically decreasing the need for battery replacements and associated waste.

3. Founded in 2011 and Growing Rapidly

Dracula Technologies was established in 2011 and has since developed a strong foothold in the sustainable power sector for low-energy electronics. Starting with pioneering printing methods for OPV cells, the company has steadily innovated its solutions through multiple product generations. By 2025, Dracula Technologies had grown to 35 employees and successfully raised over $45 million in funding. Their vision is to replace battery-powered devices within five years, capitalizing on the growing global market demand for IoT energy solutions.

4. The Green MicroPower Factory

Located in Valence, France, Dracula Technologies operates the world’s largest dedicated production facility for printed OPV modules—the Green MicroPower Factory. Equipped with cutting-edge inkjet printing technology, the factory currently produces up to 150 million cm² of OPV surface annually with plans to quadruple capacity to 600 million cm² by 2026. This industrial-scale facility ensures high manufacturing yields (close to 95%) and enables mass production of tailor-made, high-quality LAYER® modules to meet accelerating global demand.

5. Major Funding Milestones and Investors

In 2025, Dracula Technologies announced completion of a €30 million (approx. $35 million) Series A extension round aimed at scaling production and accelerating global market deployment. This round included strategic investors such as Banque des Territoires (on behalf of the French State via the France 2030 program), MGI Digital Technology Group (their industrial printing partner), and the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund. The funding boosts their capacity for industrial partnerships and strengthens their position as a global leader in battery-free IoT power solutions.

6. Diverse Applications in the IoT Ecosystem

Dracula Technologies' OPV modules find applications across several IoT verticals. These include smart buildings (e.g., asset tracking, environmental monitoring), smart homes (sensors for CO₂, temperature, humidity), and connected devices like remote controls and digital door locks. By integrating LAYER® technology, manufacturers can significantly extend device lifespans while supporting sustainability goals. The company also collaborates on turnkey solutions, helping clients design, implement, and support fully autonomous IoT products powered solely by ambient light.

7. Patented Digital Printing Innovation

A key differentiator of Dracula Technologies lies in its patented digital inkjet printing process used to produce OPV cells. Initially developed to print multiple layers of photovoltaic material with precision, this technique enables high flexibility in module shape, thickness (around 0.3 mm), and size, allowing integration into a wide variety of products. Digital printing also drives down manufacturing costs, enhances scalability, and supports rapid prototyping for new designs within their LAYER® Lab division.

8. Industry Recognition and Awards

Dracula Technologies has garnered industry accolades recognizing its contributions to clean energy and sensor technology. Notably, in 2024, their LAYER®Vault technology (which combines energy harvesting and storage) won the Best of Sensor Converge Award and the Embedded World Best in Show Award. These honors highlight the company’s innovation leadership in sustainability and reliable power solutions for the IoT landscape.

9. Commitment as a 'Company with a Mission'

In 2023, Dracula Technologies formally became a company with a mission, integrating social and environmental goals into its core operations. The company focuses on responsible product manufacturing, fostering inclusive work environments, and collaborating with ecosystems to promote low-impact technologies. Their ethos revolves around empowering people to use light as a clean, self-sustaining energy source while actively engaging in sustainable industrial practices.

10. Outlook and Future Developments

With the battery replacement market projected to grow fivefold by 2030, Dracula Technologies is well-positioned to capture a significant share through continuous innovation and market expansion. Plans include advancing roll-to-roll manufacturing processes to enhance production efficiency further and establishing manufacturing facilities closer to key global markets. By fulfilling high-volume contracts for major industry leaders, Dracula Technologies aims to accelerate the adoption of battery-free IoT devices worldwide, contributing substantially to the global energy transition.

Conclusion

Dracula Technologies stands at the forefront of revolutionizing power solutions for the burgeoning IoT ecosystem by offering an environmentally friendly, sustainable alternative to batteries through its innovative organic photovoltaic LAYER® technology. From its advanced printing processes and state-of-the-art factory in Valence to impactful applications across industries, the company embodies clean energy innovation with a mission-driven approach. As the world increasingly seeks efficient and green ways to power connected devices, Dracula Technologies’ ambient light energy harvesting promises to play a pivotal role. The question remains: how soon will battery-free IoT become the new standard in the connected world?