3 funding opportunities for European women innovators

 

 

Even though Europe offers excellent opportunities to develop disruptive and unique research, innovation, or venture capital projects, women are still underrepresented in this ecosystem. 

In 2024, progress toward gender diversity in European funding remained slow. Women-led startups secured just 21% of EIC Accelerator funding, while only 32% of full applications came from female-led companies—the highest yet but still far from parity. In private funding, all-women teams received less than 8% of total VC investment.

The European Commission is entirely aware of this issue and committed to changing this unequal situation by implementing several initiatives.

Check out some of those great opportunities below!

 

 

Women TechEU to support women leading deep-tech start-ups

Call Status: OPEN – Call #3 – Deadline: 17 March 2025 17:00 CET

Women TechEU is a funding initiative designed to empower and uplift female-led start-ups in deep-tech sectors within the EU and associated countries of Horizon Europe.

The WomenTech call seeks to empower early-stage, women-led deep tech startups aligned with European objectives for green, digital, and social transition.

This opportunity involves mentoring and coaching female founders through the EIC Business Accelerator Services (BAS), an individual grant of 75,000 € to help these companies grow, and the option to participate in Enterprise Europe Network and InvestEU activities.

To be eligible for Women TechEU, applicants must:

• be a female founder or co-founder
• hold a top management position (CEO, STO or equivalent)
• in an early-stage deep-tech start-up, registered and established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country for at least 6 months at the time of the submission.

Their third call is open! APPLY NOW HERE

 

 

 

 

 

EIC Women Leadership Programme: training, networking and mentorship for innovators and researchers

Call Status: The next cohort will start in September 2025.

One of the opportunities we look forward to announcing more details for is the 9th cohort for the EIC Women Leadership Programme. The EIC created this programme to expand Europe’s potential in deep-tech, science, and business by improving women’s representation. 

Thanks to this initiative, businesswomen who hold or aspire to hold leadership positions and researchers can participate in specific training and networking activities with the support of experienced mentors and business coaches. Participants also join the EIC Community Platform to connect to partners, investors, and other ecosystem professionals.

The EIC Women Leadership Programme runs regular cohorts for women from both EIC and EIT beneficiary groups:

• Advanced Entrepreneurial Cohort: Designed for experienced women leaders, such as co-founders or executives, who want to strengthen their skills and expand their professional network.
• Researcher Cohort: Tailored for women researchers aiming to turn their research into successful businesses while developing leadership and entrepreneurial skills.

 

There will be another cohort starting in September 2025. Stay tuned for the application details.

 

 

 

EU Prize for Women Innovators: Celebrating the role of female entrepreneurs

Call Status: Open – Closed.

The European Commission wants to recognize all those disruptive projects developed by European women. Submitted initiatives must provide breakthrough innovations for the European market, benefit our society, and also be considered a role model for other girls and women.

In every edition, an independent and expert jury chooses winners for three prize categories:

• Women Innovators: The champion receives a prize of 100,000€, while the two finalists are granted 70,000€ and 50,000€, respectively.
• Rising Innovators: The winner is awarded 50 000€, and two runners-up are awarded 30 000€ and 20 000€ respectively;
• EIT Women Leadership Award: Granted to outstanding women leaders within the EIT Community, the winner receives 50,000€, while the two runners-up receive 30,000€ and 20,000€, respectively.

To be eligible, participating women should have founded an innovative company in a European member state or Horizon Europe-associated country at least two years before the call year.

The 2025 European Prize for Women Innovators finalists were announced on March 6th, 2025; see the nine finalists here!

Stay tuned for the next edition!

 

 

 

 

 

Are you an innovative woman looking for the most suitable option for your deep-tech project?

 

Explore the ideal opportunity for your deep-tech project if you’re an innovative woman seeking the perfect fit. 

Despite the ongoing inequality in women’s participation in R&D, opportunities like the above and plans like the Gender Equality Strategy for 2020–2025 are visible examples of the commitment to empower and reinforce women.

 

 

Are you ready to help end gender bias?

At Evolution, we’re committed to standing by these important initiatives. We aim to help women-led startups, SMEs, and organizations secure the funding they need to grow their ventures and drive innovation.

We believe in promoting an inclusive and diverse innovation landscape. Join us in our journey to create a more equitable future for all.