WOMEN TECH EU: Early-stage, women-led deep tech startups

  • Action type: Grant
  • Opening date: 19 August 2026
  • Closing time: 1 August 2028 00:00 (Europe/Brussels)
  • Budget per project: € 75 000
  • Estimated number of projects funded: 160
  • Official website

Scope

Continuing on the work of two prior iterations of the programme, Women TechEU (2026-2028) will run a continuous open call for proposals with 4 cut-off dates for evaluations. Following a rigorous evaluation process, a total of 160 beneficiaries will be selected.

Each beneficiary will receive a €75k grant (non-dilutive finance) as well as a holistic support programme that includes mentorship, training, expert guidance, networking, and matchmaking opportunities. This programme has been designed and tailored to the needs of women-led startups, honed through continuous rounds of feedback from previous beneficiaries.

Additionally, beneficiaries will gain visibility and business opportunities through participation in 10 editions of high-impact European events.

The aim of the programme of services is to empower women in deep tech, whilst strengthening their access to investors and corporates. The most promising startups will also gain direct access to WP4 strategic services to grow and scale-up by tapping into EIC funding and support schemes.

The aim of Women TechEU 2 EIC (2026-2028) enhances the existing robust foundation with increased focus around 3 critical pillars: greater support to Widening countries, stronger investor and market linkages, and expanded high-value services tailored to deep tech scaling, including a stronger alignment with other EIC funding and support schemes.

Remarks

(1) The Eligibility Check: Potential applicants are invited to fill in a simplified questionnaire-style form that will quickly identify whether they are eligible to apply for the Women TechEU Programme. Applicants can complete their eligibility check at any point before a cut-off date. 


Within a week, applicants will receive either a letter of non-eligibility, or an invitation to submit their Full Proposal for the next cut-off date. The maximum number of resubmissions for the Eligibility check phase is three times.

(2) The Full Proposal: Only those applicants who are deemed eligible in the first phase can submit a Full Proposal. There will be 4 cut-off dates throughout the project, and at each cut-off, after a comprehensive evaluation, 40 beneficiaries will be selected. The 20 runner-ups of each call will be given a Badge of Honour for further visibility and access

Women TechEU will reserve 40% of each cut-off budget for applicants based in Widening countries.

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