The second Women TechEU call is underway

The European Commission officially launched the second call on 21 June Women TechEU.

The call is funded under the work program European innovation ecosystems di Horizon europe.

Following the very encouraging response to last year's pilot project, the Commission has decided to renew the Women TechEU program in 2022 by increasing the budget to 10 million euro, which will allow the financing of approx 130 companies (compared to 50 last year) in the sector deep tech led by women, who will benefit from finance and business acceleration services to become the technology leaders of tomorrow.

The call provides support for startups led by women of initial phase and riskier than their company's growth. In addition to a grant of 75 000 euro, the finalists will receive mentoring and coaching  is preferably used for  leadership,internationalization, business modeling, the strategy of implementation, market entry, fundraising and investor trading.

Applications can be sent by 4 October 2022 on the Funding & Tender Portal.

Women in research and innovation: many dedicated EU initiatives

Research and innovation in the EU are also characterized by significant gender inequalities, which the European Commission is committed to reducing through numerous initiatives.

In addition to the Women TechEU program, the European Commission also supports in the fields of research, science and education:

• 2022 EU Prize for Women Innovators - the EIC launched the ninth edition of the EU award dedicated to women innovators. Three prizes of € 100.000 each will be awarded, in addition to three other prizes of € 50.000 launched on the occasion of the European Year of Youth
• European strategy for universities - proposes concrete actions, including the creation of a European framework for diversity and inclusion in higher education, with a special focus on gender gaps, and many other initiatives
• Gender equality in Horizon Europe - the Commission is introducing a new eligibility criterion in the program based on gender equality
• Gender equality in the new European Research Area - the Commission is stepping up efforts by proposing inclusive gender equality plans with Member States and stakeholders
• Round table # EUwomen4future - discussed EU support for the careers of young women
• Gender Equality Strategy Monitoring Portal - this tool allows data to be monitored to ensure the implementation of the gender equality strategy.