Women-led deep tech startups across Europe now have an exciting opportunity to accelerate their innovation and business growth through the Women TechEU 2 EIC programme. Funded by the European Union, this initiative is designed to empower women entrepreneurs by providing substantial financial support alongside personalized business development services.

The programme offers €75,000 in non-dilutive funding to selected early-stage deep tech startups, ensuring that founders can scale their businesses without giving up equity. In addition to the grant, participants benefit from tailored mentoring, coaching, and training designed to strengthen leadership, innovation, commercialization, and business growth.

Applications for Women TechEU 2 EIC follow a two-stage application process, beginning with an Eligibility Strand before applicants can proceed to submit a Full Proposal.

This opportunity is ideal for women entrepreneurs leading innovative deep tech startups who are seeking funding, expert guidance, and access to a supportive European innovation ecosystem.

Application Period Opens: 1 June 2026

Final Eligibility Cut-off: 13 July 2027 (17:00 CEST, Brussels Time)

 

About Women TechEU 2 EIC

Women TechEU 2 EIC is a European Union-funded initiative that aims to strengthen the participation of women in Europe’s deep technology innovation ecosystem.

Recognizing the important role women entrepreneurs play in developing transformative technologies, the programme provides both financial resources and strategic business support to help startups overcome common barriers to growth.

By combining grant funding with business acceleration services, Women TechEU helps innovative startups move from early-stage development toward commercial success while strengthening Europe’s innovation landscape.

 

What Does the Programme Offer?

Selected startups receive a comprehensive support package designed to accelerate business growth.

1. €75,000 Non-Dilutive Funding

Successful applicants will receive:

• €75,000 in grant funding.
• No equity dilution.
• Financial support to accelerate technology development and commercialization.

Because the funding is non-dilutive, founders retain full ownership of their companies while accessing critical growth capital.

 

2. Personalized Business Development Programme

Beyond funding, participants receive individualized support tailored to their business needs.

This includes:

• One-on-one mentoring.
• Professional coaching.
• Business development training.
• Strategic guidance.
• Entrepreneurial capacity building.
• Growth support.

The programme aims to strengthen both the technical and commercial capabilities of participating startups.

 

Two-Stage Application Process

Women TechEU 2 EIC uses a structured application process to ensure applicants meet the programme requirements before submitting a full proposal.

Stage 1: Eligibility Strand

The first step is the Eligibility Strand, which verifies whether applicants satisfy all participation requirements.

Only applicants who successfully pass this stage will be invited to submit a Full Proposal.

The Eligibility Strand helps streamline the evaluation process while ensuring only eligible startups proceed to the next stage.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to carefully review all application guidance before submitting their eligibility request.

 

Stage 2: Full Proposal

Applicants who successfully complete the Eligibility Strand will receive an invitation to submit a Full Proposal through the programme platform.

The Full Proposal will undergo a comprehensive evaluation before final funding decisions are made.

 

Eligibility Strand Timeline

The Women TechEU 2 EIC Eligibility Strand follows a rolling application schedule.

Opening Date

1 June 2026

Weekly Cut-Offs

Applications are accepted continuously with weekly cut-offs every Tuesday at 17:00 CE(S)T (Brussels time).

First Cut-Off

30 June 2026 – 17:00 CEST

Final Cut-Off

13 July 2027 – 17:00 CEST

Applicants are encouraged to submit their eligibility applications well before the desired cut-off date to allow sufficient time for processing.

 

When Will Applicants Receive Results?

Women TechEU has indicated that applicants will receive the outcome of their eligibility assessment through the Sploro Platform.

Results will be communicated no later than one week after the cut-off date under which the application was submitted.

 

Preparing Your Application

Applicants are strongly advised to carefully review all official application materials before submitting their eligibility request.

Key resources include:

• Guidelines for Applicants
• Application Form (Annex 1)
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Applicant Platform

Reviewing these documents carefully will help applicants understand the programme requirements and prepare a strong submission.

 

Women TechEU 2 EIC Open Call for Evaluators

In addition to supporting startups, Women TechEU is also recruiting independent evaluators to assess Full Proposal applications.

This opportunity is intended for qualified professionals with relevant expertise who can contribute to the programme’s evaluation process.

Evaluator Application Timeline

Opening Date: 15 June 2026

Closing Date: 30 July 2026 (15:00 CEST)

Interested evaluator applicants should carefully review the official Guidelines for Evaluators before applying.

Relevant documents include:

• Evaluator Application Form
• Guidelines for Evaluators
• Evaluator Annex 1

Applicants will be selected based on their competencies and the requirements of the Full Proposal evaluation process.

 

Why Apply for Women TechEU?

Women TechEU provides much more than financial support.

Participants gain access to a comprehensive ecosystem that combines funding, mentoring, coaching, and business development support specifically tailored to women-led deep tech startups.

Key advantages include:

• €75,000 non-dilutive funding.
• Equity-free financial support.
• Personalized mentoring.
• Professional coaching.
• Business development training.
• Increased commercialization support.
• Access to the European innovation ecosystem.
• Opportunities to strengthen leadership and business strategy.

For women entrepreneurs seeking to scale innovative technologies, Women TechEU represents one of Europe’s leading support programmes dedicated specifically to women-led deep tech ventures.

 

Apply Early

Since eligibility applications are reviewed through weekly cut-off dates, prospective applicants should avoid waiting until the final deadline.

Submitting an application early provides more flexibility and allows sufficient time to address any issues before progressing to the Full Proposal stage.

Women-led deep tech startups that meet the programme requirements are encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity to access funding, mentorship, and strategic business support from the European Union.

Apply here

 

Learn More

• For more information about this opportunity, Click here 

• More global Grant opportunities for youth, visit the OFY website: Click here