At Open Horizons, we believe that diverse innovation ecosystems are stronger ecosystems. That’s why Open Horizons is more than just a funding programme. It’s part of a growing pan-European environment to foster inclusive, challenge-driven innovation.
Open Horizons was designed to connect, complement, and collaborate with the wider EU startup and innovation ecosystem. Our goal? To build bridges between women-led startups, corporate innovation needs, and the most impactful innovation support networks across Europe.
Europe’s projects for an inclusive innovation community
We’re in close dialogue and alignment with key EU initiatives sharing our mission to support women entrepreneurs and deeptech founders, including:
- Women TechEU: Funded under the European Innovation Ecosystems work programme of Horizon Europe, this flagship programme supports early-stage deeptech startups founded by women with grants and business coaching.
- EmpoWomen: Funded by the European Union through its Horizon Europe Research and Innovation program, this initiative focuses on women-led startups in deeptech based in emerging European countries, providing acceleration and market access support.
- Women Entrepreneurs for Europe (WEgate): A network of real opportunities for women entrepreneurs in terms of know-how, networking and insights. It offers women entrepreneurs growth and networking opportunities sharing vertical know-how and insights and promoting the exchange of new ideas based on their real everyday needs.
Open Horizons builds on these foundations by offering a unique challenge-based approach, focused on corporate collaboration and real-world piloting, while contributing to the collective impact of EU efforts to close the gender gap in innovation.
Europe’s innovation infrastructure
Beyond women-focused programmes, Open Horizons works in synergy with broader European platforms that empower entrepreneurship and startup growth, including:
- Startup Europe: the European Commission’s initiative to connect startups, investors, accelerators, and policymakers.
- European Innovation Council (EIC): funding and scaling support for breakthrough innovations, including women-led projects.
- European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT): sector-specific knowledge and innovation communities (KICs) offering training, funding, and connections.
- Enterprise Europe Network (EEN): the world’s largest support network for SMEs with international ambitions, including tools for mentoring and partnership-building.
- InvestEU Portal: showcasing startups to a wide network of EU-backed investors and support services.
We also collaborate with national and regional hubs and accelerators across Europe to reach women founders, like our partners’ network from Sploro and InnovX.
Open Horizons is here to multiply and pilot innovation.
If you’re already part of the European innovation ecosystem, let’s connect. If you’re a founder looking to scale your impact, we’ll help you find your place… and funding!
Explore our open call, closing on 21 August at 17.00 CEST: Open Call 1