Empowering Startups Through Cascade Funding: Sploro at PODIM 2025
06 May 2025
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The EIC Summit 2025, held on April 2 and 3 in Brussels, was an exciting and impactful event that brought together innovators, tech leaders, and policymakers from across Europe. As one of Europe’s leading events for deeptech and policy, the summit provided an excellent platform for women-led innovation, and Sploro was proud to be part of the conversation, showcasing initiatives like Women TechEU, EmpoWomen, and Open Horizons.
At EIC Summit 2025, Sploro will engage with the deeptech and innovation community, showcasing its work in gender-conscious investments and support for women entrepreneurs in tech. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the impact of Women TechEU, EmpoWomen, and Open Horizons in closing the gender gap in the tech industry and supporting women-led startups.
At the summit, Sploro shared a booth with other influential EU initiatives focused on gender equity in deeptech. This booth provided a space for visitors to connect with various projects promoting women entrepreneurs in tech, explore funding opportunities, and learn more about mentorship and networking options available for women in the industry. It was a great opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations and highlight the importance of supporting women in tech.
At our stand, we had the honor of welcoming Natalia Nowińska, project officer for Women TechEU, EmpoWomen Programme, and Open Horizons, whose support is driving impactful innovation across the European landscape. Alongside us, we also had the incredible WE-RISE and EPICX projects, both of which are making significant contributions to the ecosystem and helping to pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse future in deeptech.
Two key panels stood out during the event, featuring inspiring women leaders in tech who shared their journeys, challenges, and successes:
The summit also offered numerous B2B meetings, making it the perfect opportunity for attendees to build new connections and strengthen existing partnerships. With over 60 new contacts made, the event provided a chance to engage with current partners, mentors, and potential collaborators. Additionally, meeting with EC officials was a highlight, as it allowed for further discussions on how to advance gender equity and innovation in deeptech.
In the plenary sessions, Michiel Scheffer from the EIC discussed EIC’s four-year anniversary and the shift towards a long-term vision for innovation. The focus was on scaling up, simplifying ecosystems, and promoting experimentation, essential steps in building a sustainable future for deeptech.
Ivan Stefanic emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in agriculture, while Mariana Popescu introduced an exciting innovation in construction using knitted textiles that can carry 5 tons of concrete. These sessions highlighted the incredible potential for technological advancements to transform industries in unexpected ways.
As the summit concluded, it was clear that the event played a crucial role in fostering stronger relationships and identifying new opportunities for collaboration. For Sploro, it was a valuable experience to engage with others who are equally committed to promoting gender equity in tech and supporting women-led startups. The connections made at the summit will help drive positive change in the tech ecosystem.
As we move forward, Sploro is excited to continue supporting initiatives like Women TechEU, EmpoWomen, and Open Horizons. There’s still a lot of work to be done to ensure more women-led startups receive the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
