Deadline Date: June 30, 2026
The Women TechEU 2 EIC Call is designed to support women-led early-stage deep tech startups through non-dilutive funding and a personalised business development programme designed to accelerate growth and leadership in deep tech innovation.
The focus areas of this programme include women-led deep tech entrepreneurship, startup growth and scale-up, innovation ecosystem development, business development support, mentoring and coaching, investor readiness, cross-border collaboration, innovation capacity building, widening regions, inclusive innovation ecosystems, regional innovation valleys, green and digital transitions, interregional cooperation, leadership development, and access to future European innovation funding opportunities.
Women TechEU 2 EIC aims to empower women entrepreneurs leading deep tech startups across Europe by providing direct financial support and tailored business development services. Through the programme, 160 women entrepreneurs from European Union Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries will receive support to strengthen their businesses and advance their position as leaders within the deep tech sector.
Each selected startup will receive €75,000 in non-dilutive funding alongside a personalised six-month business development programme. This support package includes mentoring, coaching, training activities, and access to a comprehensive range of services designed to address the specific needs of each participating company. Individual development plans and key performance indicators will be co-designed between entrepreneurs and programme experts to ensure targeted and measurable growth.
The project builds on the success of the previous Women TechEU schemes implemented between 2021 and 2026 and is now delivered through a consortium of innovation ecosystem stakeholders, representatives of women entrepreneurs, and investors from across Europe. Over a two-year period, the initiative will distribute a total of €12 million through four competitive open call deadlines.
A significant component of the programme is its commitment to strengthening innovation capacity in less-developed regions. For each funding deadline, 40 percent of the available funding will be allocated to startups located in widening regions. This approach is intended to reduce territorial disparities in access to innovation support while fostering a more balanced and inclusive European innovation landscape.
Beyond financial assistance, the programme seeks to strengthen cross-border networks and facilitate collaboration among startups, investors, accelerators, universities, and innovation organisations. Through investor connections and tailored support services, participating startups will gain access to valuable opportunities that can support long-term growth, market expansion, and future fundraising activities.
Women TechEU also aims to contribute to more interconnected and efficient innovation ecosystems by engaging underrepresented stakeholders and strengthening collaboration across regions. The programme leverages the expertise of startup accelerators, universities, and ecosystem partners to promote the long-term inclusion of women in deep tech and support the renewal and development of European value chains aligned with the green and digital transitions.
The programme is specifically targeted at early-stage women-led deep tech startups. To be eligible, the founder or co-founder participating in the programme must be a woman who acquired company shares within one year of the company’s registration if acting as a co-founder. The woman founder or co-founder must currently hold a senior management role within the company, such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Scientific Officer, or an equivalent leadership position.
Additionally, women founders or co-founders must hold at least 25 percent of the company’s shares as reflected in the capitalisation table. Applicant companies must be established in an EU Member State, its outermost regions, or a Horizon Europe Associated Country.
The programme is designed not only to support immediate business growth but also to prepare participants for future funding opportunities, including European Innovation Council Accelerator and Pre-Accelerator programmes, helping women-led startups build sustainable pathways toward long-term success.
For more information, visit Women TechEU.
