Ended

EmpoWomen

DeepTech
Innovation Funding
WomenLed

EMPOWERING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS FROM WIDENING AREAS TO LEAD EUROPE’S TECH FUTURE

EmpoWomen is a European initiative designed to bridge the gender gap in deep tech by supporting women-led startups from Europe’s Widening countries. Through a two-year EIC-funded acceleration programme, it provides up to €45,000 in equity-free funding, mentoring, vouchers and prizes to help innovative ventures grow and scale.

Grant agreement: Nº 101120693

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Duration
11.2023 – 10.2025

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Horizon Europe / WIDERA

Project Budget
€2 M

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Project Overview

The Challenge

Women remain significantly underrepresented in Europe’s deep-tech sector, particularly in Widening countries, where female founders face greater barriers to funding, networks and opportunities to scale innovative businesses.

Our Objective

To empower women-led deep-tech startups from Widening countries through a dedicated acceleration programme that combines equity-free funding, mentoring, investment readiness and international networking to help them grow into Europe’s next generation of tech leaders.

Innovation & Impact

EmpoWomen combines financial support with expert acceleration, mentoring and investor connections, helping women-led deep-tech startups validate their innovations, strengthen investment readiness and scale their businesses across Europe.

Sploro’s Role in the Project

Sploro plays a key role in the strategic execution of the project, leveraging its expertise in:

Coordination

Leading the overall project coordination, governance and financial management to ensure the successful delivery of EmpoWomen.

FSTP Management

Overseeing the complete Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) process, from open calls and evaluation to grant administration and monitoring.

Results and Expected Impact

Economic Boost

Providing equity-free funding to 25 women-led deep-tech startups, helping them accelerate growth, strengthen investment readiness and access new market opportunities.

Ecosystem Strengthening

Strengthening Europe’s deep-tech ecosystem by engaging partners and innovation organisations across 28 Widening countries, reaching more than 1,500 startups and attracting 150+ applications through two open calls.

Societal Impact

Helping reduce the gender gap in deep tech by empowering women founders from underrepresented regions to become Europe’s next generation of technology leaders.

Market Impact

Accelerating market readiness through Startup Wise Guys’ acceleration programme, Business Angels Europe investment-readiness training and connections with venture capital investors.

Tech Impact

Supporting 25 deep-tech startups with 75 service vouchers, expert mentoring and tailored business support to advance technology readiness and strengthen business models.