EmpoWomen Accelerator Programme

The EmpoWomen Accelerator Programme is delivered by two leading European players:

• StartUp Wise Guys (SWG), one of the top 5 accelerators according to European top tier VCs (as ranked by Sifted in December 2022) that focuses on entrepreneurs in underserved markets and fast tracks their growth, and
• Business Angels Europe (BAE), mobilising the investment potential of national angel investment communities from East to West of Europe, bringing access to investment from the most experienced European angel groups to back growth-potential entrepreneursfrom start up to scale up.

EmpoWomen funded by the European Union through its Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme, seeks to overcome the obstacles faced by women in the field of R&D&I to improve equality in deep tech entrepreneurship.

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 of EmpoWomen 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.

Deep Tech Technologies

• In the context of OC 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 Manufacturing
  • Advanced Materials
  • Aerospace, Automotive and Remote Sensing
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, including Big Data
  • Biotechnology and Life Sciences
  • Communications and Networks, including 5G
  • Cybersecurity and Data Protection
  • Electronics and Photonics
  • Internet of Things, W3C, Semantic Web
  • Robotics
  • Semiconductors (microchips)
  • Sustainable Energy and Clean Technologies
  • Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Metaverse
  • Web 3.0, including Blockchain, Distributed Ledgers, NFTs

Financial Support

• The first call boasts a total budget of 527,500 EUR. Beyond the financial grant, EmpoWomen extends support through mentoring, coaching, and networking opportunities, fostering an environment conducive to achieving project objectives.
• EmpoWomen is committed to providing equity-free funding to empower up to 11 startups led by women. In its dedication to advancing women-led startups in deep tech, EmpoWomen provides essential financial support divided into two key components:
  • Grant: The grant is the primary funding received by startups, with a maximum limit of 45,000 EUR. This sum aims to support various vital activities for the development of emerging businesses. The grant will be disbursed in three distinct phases, carefully integrated into EmpoWomen’s acceleration program. Each phase represents a significant milestone in the progress of startups and is designed to strategically support their growth.
  • Demo Day Prizes: During Demo Day, startups have the opportunity to stand out and be recognized through specific prizes. These prizes are distributed as follows:
    • Prize 1: 15,000 EUR
    • Prize 2: 11,500 EUR
    • Prize 3: 6,000 EUR

Eligible Countries

• 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 Saint-Martin (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.

For more information, visit EC.