282 applications from 41 countries, these are the outstanding numbers proving the Open Horizons Open Call #2 has attracted strong interest from women innovators across Europe and beyond, confirming the programme’s relevance for startups and SMEs working at the intersection of deep tech, digital innovation, and sustainability.
The programme’s focus on women-led ventures reflects Open Horizons’ commitment to bridging the gender gap in technology entrepreneurship and supporting greater diversity in European innovation ecosystems.
Strong interest across key technology sectors
The 282 submitted applications cover a broad range of technology areas, with particularly strong participation in digital and deep-tech fields. Artificial Intelligence is the most frequently selected category, underscoring the active role of women entrepreneurs in shaping AI-driven solutions. Other key areas include advanced computing, energy technologies, greentech, and the Internet of Things.
A significant share of applications falls under “Other” technologies, which aggregates more than 30 emerging and cross-sector fields. This includes:
- Advanced materials and manufacturing
- Robotics and autonomous systems
- Data platforms and SaaS
- Extended reality and digital twins
- Biotech and healthtech
- Water and sustainability technologies
Note: Applicants were able to select more than one technology area.
Applications from 41 countries
Open Call #2 received applications from 41 countries, spanning EU Member States, associated countries, and non-EU countries.
The geographic distribution shows particularly strong participation from several European innovation hubs, alongside contributions from neighbouring regions and beyond.
The Horizon Europe programme includes a Widening Participation initiative aimed at strengthening research and innovation capacities in countries with lower R&I performance. A large share of applications for Open Call #2 comes from these widening areas.
Widening EU Member States
Countries with lower R&I performance within the EU that submitted applicants include:
Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia.
Countries with lower R&I performance within the EU that submitted applicants include:
Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia.
Widening Associated Countries
Associated countries eligible for widening participation that submitted applications include:
Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine.
Associated countries eligible for widening participation that submitted applications include:
Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine.
Non-Widening EU / Other countries
Remaining applicants include EU innovation hubs and other regions, such as Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom
Remaining applicants include EU innovation hubs and other regions, such as Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom
This wide geographic reach reflects Open Horizons’ ambition to support a diverse and inclusive innovation ecosystem, bringing together companies from different markets, maturity levels, and technological backgrounds.
A diverse and growing innovation community
Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in deep tech and technology entrepreneurship. Open Horizons directly addresses this imbalance by offering tailored acceleration, ecosystem access, and strategic growth support specifically for women-led startups.
The strong response to Open Call #2 — 282 applications from 41 countries including many from widening participation regions — underscores the significant potential of women founders and the continued need for targeted programmes.
By empowering women-led startups to scale, internationalise, and access new markets, Open Horizons helps build a more inclusive, competitive, and resilient European innovation ecosystem.
We thank all applicants for their interest and engagement and look forward to supporting the selected companies in the next phase of the programme.
