Happy New Year: Sploro’s 2025 Journey of Impact and Innovation
02 January 2026
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The Women TechEU project, an initiative designed to support women-led early-stage start-ups in deep tech, has launched its third open call. This ambitious project, spanning two years, will distribute a total of €12 million in equity free funding through four competitive calls. The current call marks the midpoint of this groundbreaking initiative, offering a unique opportunity for women entrepreneurs across the European Union and Horizon Europe-associated countries.
The project aims to provide direct support to 160 talented women entrepreneurs, offering each successful applicant a €75,000 grant and access to a personalised business development programme. This comprehensive support package is designed to pave the way for these innovators to emerge as leaders in deep tech innovation across Europe.
To be considered for the Women TechEU programme, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria:
It is crucial for potential applicants to thoroughly review the guidelines provided by the Women TechEU consortium. These guidelines offer detailed information on the application process, eligibility requirements, and evaluation criteria. Taking the time to carefully read and understand these guidelines will significantly enhance the quality of your application and increase your chances of success.
You can access the guidelines HERE
The application form is divided into several sections, including Legal and Contact Information, Impact, Excellence, Implementation, and an Ethics self-assessment. Applicants are strongly advised to dedicate sufficient time to complete each section thoroughly and accurately. Remember, the quality and completeness of your application will play a crucial role in the evaluation process.
To avoid any last-minute complications, it is strongly recommended that applicants do not wait until the final day to submit their applications. The platform may experience high traffic as the deadline approaches, potentially leading to technical issues. In the event of any technical problems, applicants should immediately contact the helpdesk.
To provide additional support and information to potential applicants, Women TechEU is organizing two InfoDays:
These InfoDays present an excellent opportunity for interested entrepreneurs to gain deeper insights into the programme, ask questions, and clarify any doubts they may have about the application process. We strongly encourage all potential applicants to participate in one of these sessions to enhance their understanding of the project and improve their chances of submitting a successful application.
All inquiries about Women TechEU must be directed to the official helpdesk email: helpdesk@womentecheurope.eu. Personal or social media messages to team members are not allowed.
The Women TechEU project is currently in the final stages of welcoming the 40 winners from the second cohort, who are set to commence their Programme of Services in February. Upon completion of the necessary legal procedures, the selected winners will be featured on the project’s Winners page. Interested parties can already view the current winners from the first cohort on the project website.
The second open call demonstrated comparable participation levels to the first, with 827 submissions received. The Sploro team meticulously reviewed these applications for adherence to the Eligibility criteria. A notable trend emerged, indicating that approximately 50% of applications typically fail to meet the eligibility criteria due to either insufficient attention to the guidelines or errors in completing the application form. Future applicants are strongly encouraged to allocate sufficient time to thoroughly review the guidelines and carefully consider each question in the application form to avoid such issues.
To assist applicants, the project has developed a comprehensive FAQ document and a dedicated FAQ section on the website, addressing the most common inquiries potential applicants may have.
In terms of geographical diversity, the project successfully reached all 27 EU member states and beyond, including Horizon associated countries. The top three countries based on application numbers were the United Kingdom, France, and Türkiye.
Conversely, Iceland, Luxembourg, and Kosovo submitted the lowest number of applications.
The most prevalent sectors represented by these promising startups include
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (including Big Data), Biotechnology, Life Sciences and Agritech, and Sustainable Energy, Clean Technologies, and Greentech.
The Women TechEU project represents a significant opportunity for women entrepreneurs in the deep tech sector. By providing substantial financial support and a tailored business development programme, it aims to address the unique challenges faced by women-led start-ups and foster greater inclusivity in the European innovation ecosystem.
We encourage all eligible women entrepreneurs to seize this opportunity. Your innovative ideas and leadership have the potential to shape the future of deep tech in Europe. Take the time to carefully prepare your application, participate in the InfoDays, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the official helpdesk with any questions. The future of European innovation awaits your contribution.
Remember, the deadline for submission is March 17, 2025, at 17:00 CET (Brussels time). Don’t miss this chance to be part of a transformative initiative that is paving the way for women leaders in deep tech across Europe.
