Women TechEU, an EU-funded project that is designed to support women-led early-stage start-ups in deep tech, has launched its third open call. It is a project that spans over two years and it will distribute a total of €12 million in equity free funding through four competitive calls. The current call marks the midpoint of this  initiative, offering a unique opportunity for women entrepreneurs across the European Union and Horizon Europe-associated countries.

The project will provide direct support to a total of 160 talented women entrepreneurs across 4 open calls, offering each successful applicant a €75,000 grant and access to a personalised business development programme. This comprehensive support package is designed to pave the way for these innovators to emerge as leaders in deep tech innovation across Europe.

Eligibility

To be considered for the Women TechEU programme, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria:

• The applicant must be established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
• The start-up must be an early-stage deep tech company, established for at least six months but not more than eight years, and must have raised less than €1 million in equity.
• Women must hold a top management position (e.g., CEO, CTO, CSO) and own at least 25% of the company shares (individual woman or jointly among all women in the company).
• The company must focus on deep tech innovation, excluding standard technology applications like eLearning platforms or eCommerce apps.
• The company must not have been previously funded for the same activities by another EU programme.

It is crucial for potential applicants to thoroughly review the guidelines provided by the Women TechEU consortium. These guidelines offer detailed information on the application process, eligibility requirements, and evaluation criteria. Taking the time to carefully read and understand these guidelines will significantly enhance the quality of your application and increase your chances of success.

Please follow this link for more information about the application process, guidelines, evaluation criteria, and proposal requirements.

Funding & Opportunities

• Around 40 women entrepreneurs selected under this call
• Up to €75,000 in funding
• A personalised business development programme

The deadline to submit applications is set to  17 March 2025 at 17:00 CET (Brussels time)