EmpoWomen Programme

EmpoWomen project, funded by the European Union through its Horizon Europe Research and Innovation program, seeks to overcome the obstacles faced by women in the field of R&D&I to improve equality in deep-tech entrepreneurship. EmpoWomen offers a unique program for scaling up women-led companies with the objective of creating an exclusive support program for female founders and 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 the world. The initiative EmpoWOMEN is a 2-year program (2024-2025) that consists of a unique acceleration and mentoring program and includes non-repayable funding totaling 1.125 million euros, prizes, and services to the selected 25 women-led deep-tech companies. Sploro, TechUkraine, Business Angels Europe and Startup Wise Guys, all together with 8 startup associations will run this innovative program which will be the first to support deep-tech women-led companies. The selected women-led businesses will each have access to a 6-month program consisting of a dedicated acceleration and investment readiness support service by SWG, webinars and events, together with specialist training and mentoring from Business Angels, combined with Demo days and direct connections with both Angel Investors and VCs, offering the potential to access investment. * Widening Countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia. Outermost regions: Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Réunion, Martinique, Mayotte and Saint-Martin (France), Canary Islands (Spain), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Réunion, Martinique, Mayotte and Saint-Martin (France). Associated countries: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, North Macedonia, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine.