Open Call Empowering Women-Led Deep-Tech Start-ups

WE-RISE, a project funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe programme, has launched its second Open Call designed to support women-led deep-tech start-ups active in GreenTech, AgriTech and ClimateTech. The call aims to strengthen the market position, growth potential and investment readiness of innovative start-ups across Europe, with a strong focus on inclusion and geographical balance.

Through a structured support programme combining non-equity funding and tailored business support, selected start-ups will benefit from mentoring, coaching, training, ecosystem access and investor matchmaking. The programme is implemented in two phases, supporting both strategic development and acceleration towards market and investment readiness. An online info session about the Open Call is scheduled for 29 January. Registration is available here.

Eligibility Criteria

• Women-led start-ups, with women in key leadership roles (for example CEO, CTO or CSO)
• Active in GreenTech, AgriTech and/or ClimateTech
• Legally registered in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country
• Established before 1 January 2025
• Classified as deep-tech start-ups
• At least 60% of selected start-ups will come from moderate or emerging innovator countries (EU Member States: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. Associated countries: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine)
• Meet at least one of the following criteria:
  • Technology readiness at TRL 6–8, or
  • At least €300,000 in previous private or public funding

Funding

• 20 start-ups selected for Phase 1 (three months):
  • €5,000 lump-sum grant per start-up
  • Focus on strategy development, empowerment, mentoring and training
• Up to 10 start-ups selected for Phase 2 (four months):
  • Additional €50,000 grant per start-up
  • Focus on acceleration, product and market development, and investor readiness
• Total funding available under the call: €600,000
• Non-equity funding combined with tailored coaching, expert workshops, networking and investor matchmaking

Please follow this link for more information on the scope of the call and the procedural requirements for the applications.

The deadline for application is 12 February 2026 at 17:00 CET (Brussels Time).