Women TechEU 2 EIC

Women TechEU 2 EIC is the next chapter of Europe’s commitment to women-led deep tech, turning underrepresentation from a structural barrier into a solved challenge. We will deliver 12 MEUR in equity-free funding for 160 startups and a full-spectrum support model tackling funding inaccessibility, low visibility, and undercapitalisation. Our goals are ambitious but attainable: unlock +€480M in revenue growth, create +480 new jobs in the EU deep-tech sector, and catalyse at least 1 women-led deep-tech unicorn and 25 centaurs supported via Women TechEU. Around 70% of partners return, reinforced by new allies to strengthen three pillars: (1) deeper presence in Widening countries; (2) stronger investor linkages; and (3) expanded scaling services guiding founders toward the EIC Accelerator. We integrate lessons learned: 40% of funds are reserved for Widening participation—a ~20-point increase over the previous edition—to drive cohesion and excellence; access to private capital and markets is accelerated via national business-angel associations (e.g., BAND, WA4STEAM, Nordic Ignite, Danube Angels, WIN, Bulgarian Angels Club, Lifted, Prospera, Movens, EstBAN) and corporate innovation partners (e.g., Orange RO, Vodafone RO, MIGROS TR), enabling targeted 1:1 matchmaking, founder-preferred angel tickets, and corporate PoCs. The initiative advances the Work Programme by correcting market failures, fostering inclusive growth, and speeding Europe’s green and digital transitions across all regions. Transparency and agility are enhanced through two-phase calls with rapid eligibility decisions (within one week) and four full-proposal cut-offs. High-potential beneficiaries identified through programme monitoring receive tailored, performance-based services—including a Fast Track—on their path to the EIC Accelerator, leveraging women-led entrepreneurship to amplify Europe’s innovation and economic development.