Women Tech.EU initiative
The Women TechEU Initiative is designed to support early-stage women-led deep-tech startups, addressing gender gap in the tech industry and fostering more diverse startup ecosystem across Europe. The initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness of women-led companies addressing critical societal challenges. By empowering women entrepreneurs, Women TechEU supports early stage deep-tech companies, paving the way for the participation of women-led start-ups in future EIC calls.
The Women TechEU initiative supports European early-stage deep tech start-ups,registered and established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country for at least six months at the time of the submission, founded or co-founded by women, holding a top management position (chief executive officer (CEO), chief technology officer (CTO), chief scientific officer (CSO), or equivalent). All deep tech domains are eligible, with the emphasis being on overall gender balance and the position held by women in the start-up. This call supports early-stage women-led companies which have not received substantial financial support. The women-led startups must respect the above conditions to be eligible for financial support to third parties under this action.
The consortium should consider a project duration of two (2) years, with a possibilityto extend the grant for another year, subject to achieving the key milestones of the project. The consortium should foresee at least two calls for proposals per calendar year. The consideration of multiple cut-off dates is encouraged. Beyond providing funding to women-led deep tech start-ups, proposals under this topic should include a sound promotion and communication strategy of the programme (especially in underrepresented Member States), clearly brand the scheme as an EIC initiative, including but not limited to, through information and dissemination events, press and outreach events, or roadshows.
The consortium will provide financial support to the third parties in form of grants.The consortium must allocate at least 75% of the total proposed budget to financial support to third parties. The maximum amount to be granted to each third party is EUR 75 000. The grants aim to finance supporting activities of the selected companies such as evaluating and refining products/services, design, user experience, upgrading the business model, updating the business plan and growth strategy, finding partners and investors,market validation, etc.
Women TechEU third parties will be eligible for mentoring and coaching provided bythe BAS, under the ‘Women Leadership Programme’, which includes dedicated networking and pitching events funded under a separate EIC budget.