Women TechEU launches with €12 million in equity-free grants for women founders in deep tech
The second edition of Women TechEU, an EU-funded project supporting women leading deep tech startup companies from Europe has been launched. The project will be investing €12 million in equity-free grants, which will support 160 women-led deep tech companies.
Women TechEU was initially launched as an initiative by the EU Commission in 2021 which delivered coaching, mentoring and targeted funding to women founders. Since its initial launch a total of 183 startups have received support. The current edition of Women TechEU is the first to be managed by an external consortium.
Within the next two years, the consortium will launch a total of four calls for applications, with the first one having been launched on 18th March. Applicant startups will undergo a rigorous evaluation, from which a total of 160 will be selected to receive €75,000 in non-dilutive grants as well as a personalised business development programme including mentoring, coaching and training in collaboration also with the Business Acceleration Services of the EIC.
The first call closed on 20th May but prospected startup applicants will be able to apply for the second call starting the 1st of August through here.
The Women TechEU consortium is made up of 11 partners from 8 countries. It is led by EIT Manufacturing and the partners are; Sploro, AwakenHub, AcrossLimits, European Business Angels Network (EBAN), Finance Innovation, Asociación Women Angels For STEAM (WA4STEAM), Association of Organisations of Mediterranean Businesswomen (AFAEMME), EIT Food South S.L., Asociacion EIT Health Spain and EIT Climate-KIC.
Launch of the project
The project launched during the European Innovation Council (EIC) Summit held during R&I week Brussels between 18 and 22nd March. Several prominent attendees visited the project’s stand, including the EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Iliana Ivanova.
During the opening ceremony of R&I week, Commissioner Ivanova said, “This week we launch a new Women TechEU call supporting early stage deep tech startups founded and led by women. With a commitment of €15 million over 2 years, Women TechEU will provide significant support to women entrepreneurs.”
Following the summit, the consortium behind Women TechEU held a project kick-off meeting in Brussels.
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