If you couldn’t join us live for the first Open Horizons Info Day, we’ve got you! You can now watch the entire session online.

11 June 2025, European Union: Open Horizons, a Horizon Europe financed initiative, has officially launched its first Open Call for funding of women-led start-ups. Those operating in deep tech and digital innovation can apply for unique financial support of up to €55,000 from 11 June to 21 August 2025.

Since its launch in February 2025, Open Horizons project has already begun to live up to its name: opening new pathways for women-led innovation. We’ve sparked strong interest from startups, experts, and corporates alike. These are good steps toward building a more inclusive, challenge-driven innovation ecosystem across Europe. Let’s take a look at the first milestones of this journey.

Open Horizons offers up to €55,000 in equity-free funding for women-led deeptech startups, but financial support is just the beginning.
The programme is designed to accelerate the growth of women entrepreneurs, bridging the gender gap in the European startup innovation ecosystem.

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.

Funding women-led innovation is no longer a question of why — but how. Open Horizons offers a bold new answer: a challenge-driven approach, connecting women-led deeptech startups with real-world industry needs from day one, supporting them through pilot and scaling up phases. It is the only EU-funded programme that combines gender equity, real corporate engagement, and challenge-based innovation funding with pilots, in one coherent journey.

On April 2–3, 2025, the OPEN HORIZONS project was presented at the EIC Summit in Brussels, one of the most important EU gatherings for deeptech, policy, and innovation. As part of a dedicated booth on women-led tech and gender equity, our partner SPLORO represented OPEN HORIZONS alongside other key EU initiatives. Here, they engaged with stakeholders, promoted our mission, and fostered new connections.

New horizons are not opened alone. The success of Open Horizons lies in the strength of its partners. We can boast a diverse and highly experienced consortium committed to empowering women-led innovation across Europe.

The Open Horizons journey officially began with an energetic kick-off meeting in Bratislava. It brought together the full consortium in charge of this special €1.2 million Horizon Europe initiative. The project, launched in February 2025, is fully set up to support women-led deeptech startups and create strategic bridges with European corporations looking for real solutions.