Women in science – Photo © luchshen – Fotolia
(BRUSSELS) – The EU Commission announced Tuesday the results of the first call under the Women TechEU pilot programme, which supports deep-tech start-ups led by women with coaching, mentoring and targeted funding.
Deep tech accounts for over a quarter of Europe’s start-up ecosystem, with European deep tech companies now valued at a combined EUR 700 billion. The aim of the Women TechEU programme is to address the under-representation of women in deep tech.
Under the programme, the Commission will assist the 50 successful women-led companies with funding, mentoring and networking opportunities, and are expected to scale up the programme in 2022.
The Women TechEU scheme offers grants, worth EUR 75,000 each, to support the initial steps in the innovation process, and the growth of the company. It also offers mentoring and coaching under the European Innovation Council (EIC) Women Leadership Programme, and EU-wide networking opportunities.
Following the evaluation by independent experts, the Commission will be supporting a first cohort of 50 women-led companies from 15 different countries. Over 40 companies are based in EU Member States, including one fifth from Horizon Europe widening countries. Also, roughly one fifth are based in countries associated to Horizon Europe.
The companies proposed for funding have developed cutting-edge and disruptive innovations, across a range of areas, from early cancer diagnosis and treatments, all the way to reducing the negative impact of methane emissions. They address sustainable development goals (SDGs), like tackling climate change, reducing food waste, as well as widening access to education and empowering women.
Projects will start in spring 2022 and are expected to run for 6 to 12 months. The women leaders will be enrolled onto the European Innovation Council’s Women Leadership Programme for tailored coaching and mentoring activities.
Following the very encouraging response to this first pilot, the Commission will renew the Women TechEU programme in 2022. The budget for the next call will be increased to EUR 10 million, which will fund roughly 130 companies (up from 50 this year). The call will be launched in 2022.
