As a EU-funded project, Open Horizons is well connected to a vibrant network of initiatives shaping a more inclusive and innovative deeptech landscape across Europe. After exploring Women TechEU, EmpoWomen, and WEgate in our first article, we are happy to introduce you to new projects contributing to the same mission: empowering women entrepreneurs and strengthening innovation ecosystems across Europe.
We-Rise: empowering women in green and digital innovation
We-Rise supports women-led startups working in sustainability-driven sectors such as GreenTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech. The programme offers equity-free funding of up to €55,000, personalised mentoring, and access to European networks.
If you are interested, find here more details.
EPIC-X: accelerating women-led deeptech in emerging regions
EPIC-X focuses on boosting women-led startups in moderate and emerging innovation regions. Its model combines funding – up to €40,000 – with mentoring, and access to investors and corporates through a tailored “Acceleration+” programme. The scope is to bridge the innovation gap by ensuring women founders in less represented areas can access the same opportunities as those in stronger ecosystems.
Innovate EU: connecting Europe’s innovation regions
Innovate EU is designed to reduce the innovation gap across Europe by linking ecosystems from innovation-leading regions like Baden-Württemberg with moderate and emerging ones such as Lithuania, Aragon, Latvia, and Northeast Romania. Through knowledge exchange, training, and network-building, Innovate-EU fosters an interconnected startup environment: where every region contributes to the continent’s innovation strength.
Learn more on Innovate-EU
Together with Open Horizons, these initiatives form part of the broader European Innovation Ecosystem. Each of these programmes provides real opportunities for women-led startups to access funding, mentoring, and cross-border partnerships. Together with the European platforms that empower entrepreneurship and startup growth we ensure that innovation in Europe remains both competitive and inclusive – opening new horizons for women founders everywhere.
Learn more about the entire ecosystem and discover other related initiatives – checkour first article