EmpoWOMEN's main objective is to create an exclusive support programme for female 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 Europe.
Sploro, in collaboration with European partners such as Tech Ukraine, the association of technological startups in Ukraine, Startup Wise Guys, a recognized technology business accelerator with a presence in various European countries, and Business Angels Europe, the association of European investors, has launched the ambitious EmpoWOMEN project. This project, funded by the European Union through its Horizon Europe research and innovation program, kicked off in Pamplona on November 20 and 21. The project aims to address the underrepresentation of women in the deep tech entrepreneurship sector, particularly in emerging European countries.
EmpoWOMEN is born with the aim of overcoming the obstacles faced by women in the field of research, development, and innovation (R&D&I), to enhance equality in the realm of deep tech entrepreneurship. The project will offer a unique program to scale companies led by women in the European expansion area (emerging countries and overseas territories). The main objective is to create an exclusive support program for founders and entrepreneurs leading deep tech startups in the European expansion areas, helping them grow and become the technological leaders of tomorrow, placing women at the forefront of deep tech in Europe.
The program will include two open calls that will provide a unique acceleration program, equity-free funding, prizes, and services to 25 selected companies led by women operating in the deep tech sector. The total fund of 1,125,000 euros, managed by Sploro, will be distributed across these two calls, offering 45,000 euros in non-repayable funding per startup. The first call will open on January 8, 2024, and close on March 8, coinciding with International Women’s Day. In addition to financial support, the selected startups will receive a six-month support program that includes mentors, access to investors, and invitations to top European events.
EmpoWOMEN is not just a project; it's a movement. We are here to change the landscape of deep tech entrepreneurship, demonstrating that women not only have a place in this field but are essential to its future. This is the moment for women entrepreneurs, and we are here to ensure that their voices are heard loud and clear.
About the EmpoWOMEN project
EmpoWOMEN is a project coordinated by Sploro, a Spanish company specialized in managing initiatives for entrepreneurs at the European level. In this case, it is the first Horizon Europe project coordinated by the company, aiming to become the European reference for managing cascade funding opportunities in the coming years. According to its CEO and co-founder, Miguel García, “EmpoWOMEN is our first project coordinated at the European level and the fifth already in execution. We wanted to support the female entrepreneurial ecosystem, and we believe that this project will be a milestone in supporting women entrepreneurs coming from the scientific world.”
The project is part of the Startup Europe initiative, which has been supporting entrepreneurial ecosystems for over a decade by creating high-impact initiatives for technological startups across Europe.
We invite all interested #WomenEntrepreneurs to stay informed and participate in this exciting journey by subscribing to our mailing list at https://bit.ly/EmpoWOMEN.
Sploro (Spain), Tech Ukraine (Ukraine), Startup Wise Guys (Estonia), Business Angels Europe (Brussels).
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 101120693