Open call for Women Entrepreneurs in Widening Areas

Deadline: 8 March 2024

EmpoWomen Programme unveils its 1st Open Call for Women Entrepreneurs, specifically targeting leaders of deep tech early-stage startups in the Widening Areas of the European Union.

EmpoWomen Programme is committed to boost innovation and diversity in the startup ecosystem, and this Open Call is a testament to that dedication.

EmpoWomen offers a unique programme for scaling up women-led companies with the objective to create an exclusive support programme for female founders and entrepreneurs leading deep tech startups from widening-area countries to grow into tomorrow’s female tech leaders and put women at the forefront of deep tech in the world.

The initiative EmpoWomen is a 2-year programme (2024-2025) which consists of a unique acceleration and mentoring programme and includes non-repayable funding totaling 1,125 M EUR, prizes and services to 25 women-led deep-tech companies selected through a competitive process from European emerging markets and the outermost regions and associated EU countries.

Objectives and Ambition

The purpose is to actively involve women-led deep tech early-stage startups in the widening areas. This call seeks to identify and choose promising startups to participate in a customized acceleration programme.
The overarching goal is to offer support that nurtures the development and investment potential of these startups, with the ultimate aim of cultivating them into leading female figures in deep tech innovation within Europe.

Funding Information

For this initial call, the total available budget is 527,500 EUR.
The total funding limit for a single organization across all EmpoWomen calls is set at 60,000 EUR. An organization could only reach this maximum amount if it receives the 45,000 EUR grant upon completing the entire programme and emerges as the winner of the first prize, securing an additional 15,000 EUR at the Demo Day.

Eligible Beneficiaries

EmpoWomen primarily focuses on women-led deep tech early-stage startups in Widening Areas.
To be eligible as an applicant at EmpoWomen, it is essential to understand certain key criteria that define the profile of a qualified beneficiary.
Startup
- Early-stage startup: For the purpose of the project, they would consider the following criteria to define an early-stage start-up:
- companies that have been established and operating for not more than 6 years counting backwards from submission date and,
- companies that have raised limited funding (up to 1 M EUR).
- Women Leadership Criterion: The startup’s leadership must have a substantial representation of women, and it is crucial that at least one woman assumes a key role, whether as a co-founder, a member of the core management team, or serving on the board of directors.
- Female Founder or Co-founder Requirement: The project aims to support women in their diverse forms, encompassing cisgender and transgender women legally recognized as such.
- Deep tech: The startup must be engaged in the development of advanced and disruptive technologies.
Deep Tech Technologies
- In the context of OC#1 of the EmpoWomen project, relevance is given to various deep tech technologies where women play a fundamental role. These deep tech technologies, carefully selected for the call, span from quantum computing to emerging technologies such as augmented reality and artificial intelligence.
- The call will encompass the following deep tech technologies:
  - Advanced Computing /Quantum Computing: Advanced Computing involves the use of cutting-edge technologies to perform complex computations at high speeds, while Quantum Computing leverages principles of quantum mechanics to process information using quantum bits (qubits), potentially revolutionizing computing capabilities beyond classical limitations.
  - Advanced Manufacturing: The technologies in this area are diverse and include, but are not limited to, the following categories.
  - Advanced Materials: The research, development, engineering and production of advanced materials with engineered properties, including ceramics, high value-added metals, electronic materials, composites, polymers, and biomaterials.
  - Aerospace, Automotive and Remote Sensing: This technological area focusses on new methods of transport and mobility and space technology as well as the sensoring, data and telecommunications processing systems required for successful innovation.
  - Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, including Big Data: This technological area focusses on the interaction between data science, Big Data and data mining as well as the methods used to process data via algorithms and other learning methods into specific use cases.
  - Biotechnology and Life Sciences: Biotechnology and life sciences represents cutting edge Deep Tech technology in terms of natural and synthetic materials and research, including genetic therapies and digital technologies.
  - Communications and Networks, including 5G: Communications and connectivity in terms of Deep Tech refers to research and innovation in areas such as 5G / 6G Networks, Navigation Systems, Telematics and Materials and Communications Security.
  - Cybersecurity and Data Protection: This area focusses on the application of Deep Tech technologies to network and data security and protection.
  - Electronics and Photonics: The Deep Tech technological dimension of electronics and photonics typically refers to technology used in Quantum Computing as well as Semiconductor manufacturing.
  - Robotics: Robotics includes development of hardware and software solutions for process and machine automation.
  - Semiconductors (microchips): In addition to the scientific frontiers of semiconductor research, recent policy concerns incorporates re-onshoring or security of supply of semiconductor production.
  - Sustainable Energy and Clean Technologies: Sustainable Energy focuses on renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources, while Clean Technologies involve the development of solutions that minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable practices.
  - Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Metaverse: This technological area focusses on the creation and application of digital information and content, either in a partial or fullyimmersive environment.
  - Companies located in the list of eligible countries and regions: Only applicants legally established in any of the following countries are eligible for funding:
    - Widening Area Countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
    - Outermost regions: Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Réunion, Martinique, Mayotte and SaintMartin (France), Canary Islands (Spain), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Réunion, Martinique, Mayotte and Saint-Martin (France).
    - Associated countries: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, North Macedonia, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine.