Women entrepreneurs in the Deep Tech sector have a new opportunity to gain financial support and mentorship with the launch of the third call for applications under the Women TechEU program. With a non-dilutive grant of 75,000 €, personalized business coaching, and access to a vast network of industry experts, the program seeks to help female-led startups accelerate their growth and scale their innovations. Funded by the European Union, this initiative aims to promote gender diversity in Deep Tech by supporting early-stage startups founded or co-founded by women.
The Deep Tech sector—encompassing fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing, and advanced materials—has long faced gender imbalance. Women TechEU addresses this gap by offering targeted support to promising startups led by women, providing them with both funding and guidance to navigate the early stages of business development.
To be eligible for the Women TechEU program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
The startup must be founded or co-founded by a woman who holds a leadership position (CEO, CTO, or equivalent).
Women must own at least 25% of the company’s shares at the time of application.
The company must be registered in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country and have been operational for at least six months but no more than eight years.
The startup should be at an early development stage, prior to launching a high-fidelity Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and must have raised less than 1 € million in equity funding.
Companies that have previously received Women TechEU funding are not eligible to apply.
Selected startups will receive:
A 75,000 € Grant – A non-dilutive financial boost to help companies develop their technology, refine their business model, and prepare for scaling.
Tailored Business Development Support – Startups will benefit from personalized mentoring, coaching, and targeted training, helping them overcome challenges in scaling, fundraising, and market entry.
Application & Selection Process:
Applications for the third call of Women TechEU must be submitted by March 17, 2025, at 17:00 CET through the official Women TechEU application portal.
A panel of experts will evaluate applications based on three main criteria:
Impact – The potential of the startup’s business model, its contribution to the EU’s green and digital transitions, and the long-term scalability of the innovation.
Excellence – The degree of innovation, market potential, and the relevance of the startup’s technology to the Deep Tech sector.
Implementation – The strength of the leadership team, the role of the woman founder, the diversity of the company, and the feasibility of the business plan.
For more details and to apply, visit: https://womentecheurope.eu/about/
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