Brussels, 21 June 2022
The Commission has launched today the second Women TechEU call, which follows a successful first pilot in 2021. This year, up to 130 deep-tech start-ups led by women will receive funding worth €10 million, as well as business acceleration services to grow into tomorrow’s female tech leaders. This scheme is funded under the European Innovation Ecosystems work programme of Horizon Europe, with support from the European Innovation Council (EIC).
Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth said:
We received a very positive response to this first pilot, with nearly 400 applications from across the EU and Associated Countries. I am proud that we are now supporting 50 ambitious women-led companies from 16 countries. This is a huge step in the right direction to bridge the deep tech gender gap, and encourage women to fulfil their true potential. Women-led deep-tech companies should build EU’s innovation DNA and this year we will support even more of them.
Women TechEU provides support to women-led startups at the earliest, riskiest stage of their company’s growth. In addition to a €75 000 grant, the finalists receive mentoring and coaching through the EIC’s Women Leadership Programme. Applications are open until 4 October 2022, 17:00 (Brussels time). Women TechEU is one of several EU initiatives aimed at supporting and empowering women in tech and innovation, including the annual EU Prize for Women Innovators and the EIC’s new Women Leadership Programme. More information is available here.
Source – EU Commission