Deadline Date: January 05, 2026
EPIC-X has launched an Open Call to accelerate innovation and unlock excellence by connecting regional ecosystems across Europe.
The focus of EPIC-X is to empower and support women-led startups in deep-tech across 16 moderate and emerging innovator countries through a holistic approach that combines networking, tailored acceleration, cross-border collaboration, and smart policy action. EPIC-X supports startups working in advanced technology areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Quantum Technologies, Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology, Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies, Photonics and Advanced Optics, Internet of Things (IoT) and Edge Computing, Advanced Computing and High-Performance Computing, and Clean and Renewable Energy Technologies. These technologies are applied across sectors including Healthcare and Life Sciences, Energy and Environment, Manufacturing and Industry 4.0, Transportation and Mobility, Agriculture and Food Systems, Finance and Fintech, Cybersecurity, Education and EdTech, Retail and Consumer Goods, and Aerospace and Defence.
EPIC-X is a European acceleration initiative funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe European Innovation Ecosystems programme. It aims to help close the innovation gap and strengthen regional excellence in moderate and emerging innovator countries by supporting women-led startups in the deep-tech sector, where ecosystems are often less developed. The programme seeks to address unique challenges faced by women founders, fostering collaboration, capacity building, and connecting local strengths to promote a more equitable and competitive innovation landscape across Europe.
The core of EPIC-X lies in its Acceleration+ Programme, a six-month initiative designed around advanced deep-tech development, Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3), and the specific needs of women entrepreneurs. Each selected startup will receive an equity-free grant of up to €60,000 to support their growth. The programme includes 15–20 days of business coaching, up to 10 follow-up sessions, monthly capacity-building sessions, and cross-fertilization activities such as four collaborative meetings, an in-person visit to a counterpart, and six webinars for peer-to-peer learning. Participants will also showcase their results at a multiplier event and participate in a Demo Day to pitch to investors and expand their networks.
A total of €1.2 million has been made available for the programme, with a simple and transparent selection process and a supportive implementation journey that continues beyond the programme.
To be eligible, applicants must be a single legal entity that qualifies as a startup under Horizon Europe, established in one of the 16 moderate and emerging innovator countries, and meet the EU definition of an SME. At least one woman must hold a founder or C-level position and maintain a minimum of 25% ownership or equivalent decision-making power. Startups must present a business coaching plan allocating at least €20,000 of the grant for coaching, have achieved market-product fit or raised a round of financing, and demonstrate traction or scale-up potential. Priority will be given to startups identified in Horizon Europe or recognized in the Digital Europe Programme.
Through targeted funding and capacity-building support, EPIC-X enables startups to grow, test solutions in real settings, and join a trusted European innovation community that champions women in deep tech.
For more information, visit Epic-X.
