The consortium selected under this call is expected to Implement the Women TechEU initiative, covering the following activities:

− Ensure the sound design, organisation and management of the Women TechEU, ensuring continuity of the initiative;

− Implementing calls for proposals and organizing the evaluation of proposalsand award of support to successful applicants. The call should use, where appropriate, the same evaluation criteria as for the EIC Accelerator;

− Create linkages with the Business Acceleration Services (BAS) for the Women Leadership Programme and EIC Community Platform to selected applicants;

− Implement project reviews of awardees as a basis to access the Fast Track to theEIC Accelerator;

− Communicate and promote the scheme in order to secure quality applications;

− Organise landmark events, building a network of Women TechEU grantees, and help them to connect with the overall EIC community;

− Promote cooperation and networking activities among the community of women entrepreneurs in the deep tech field;

− Promote a diversity in geographical participation and technological areas to be covered by the scheme;

− Report on the implementation of the scheme (key data on applications,evaluation, start-ups funded, demographics of end-beneficiaries of the scheme,etc.) to European Commission services.

The Women TechEU Initiative is designed to support early-stage women-led deep-tech startups, addressing gender gap in the tech industry and fostering more diverse startup ecosystem across Europe. The initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness of women-led companies addressing critical societal challenges. By empowering women entrepreneurs, Women TechEU supports early stage deep-tech companies, paving the way for the participation of women-led start-ups in future EIC calls.

The Women TechEU initiative supports European early-stage deep tech start-ups,registered and established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country for at least six months at the time of the submission, founded or co-founded by women, holding a top management position (chief executive officer (CEO), chief technology officer (CTO), chief scientific officer (CSO), or equivalent). All deep tech domains are eligible, with the emphasis being on overall gender balance and the position held by women in the start-up. This call supports early-stage women-led companies which have not received substantial financial support. The women-led startups must respect the above conditions to be eligible for financial support to third parties under this action.

The consortium should consider a project duration of two (2) years, with a possibilityto extend the grant for another year, subject to achieving the key milestones of the project. The consortium should foresee at least two calls for proposals per calendar year. The consideration of multiple cut-off dates is encouraged. Beyond providing funding to women-led deep tech start-ups, proposals under this topic should include a sound promotion and communication strategy of the programme (especially in underrepresented Member States), clearly brand the scheme as an EIC initiative, including but not limited to, through information and dissemination events, press and outreach events, or roadshows.

The consortium will provide financial support to the third parties in form of grants.The consortium must allocate at least 75% of the total proposed budget to financial support to third parties. The maximum amount to be granted to each third party is EUR 75 000. The grants aim to finance supporting activities of the selected companies such as evaluating and refining products/services, design, user experience, upgrading the business model, updating the business plan and growth strategy, finding partners and investors,market validation, etc.

Women TechEU third parties will be eligible for mentoring and coaching provided bythe BAS, under the ‘Women Leadership Programme’, which includes dedicated networking and pitching events funded under a separate EIC budget.