EPIC-X Open Call for Women-Led Deep-Tech Startups (deadline: 5 January, 17:00 CET)
EPIC-X is looking for women-led deep-tech startups from the 16 EU countries classified as moderate or emerging innovators to join a 6-month Acceleration+ Programme. Selected startups receive an equity-free €60,000 grant, tailored business coaching, capacity-building sessions, and EU-level visibility, including an investor Demo Day.
Who can apply?
• Startups (SMEs) founded before 1 January 2024
• Established in one of the 16 moderate/emerging innovator EU countries
• With at least one woman founder or C-level leader holding ≥25% ownership
• Working in deep-tech (e.g. AI, biotech, advanced materials, robotics, clean energy, etc.) and already at product–market fit or seed stage.
More: https://epic-x.eu/open-call/
WE-RISE Open Call #2 for Women-Led Deep-Tech Startups
OPEN 4 Dec 2025 | CLOSE 12 Feb 2026, 17:00 CET
The second WE-RISE open call supports women-led deep-tech startups in GreenTech, AgriTech and ClimateTech with funding, tailored mentoring, and a cross-border acceleration programme. Selected startups will join a two-phase support journey, including business coaching, investor matchmaking and up to €55,000 in equity-free grants.
Who can apply? Women-led startups or SMEs legally established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country, developing deep-tech solutions in GreenTech, AgriTech or ClimateTech, ideally already at product–market fit or seed stage and with strong growth ambitions across Europe.
More: https://www.we-rise.eu/open-call-2
Open Horizons – Open Call 2 for Women-Led Deep-Tech & Digital Startups
OPEN 20 Nov 2025 | Close 29 Jan 2026 17:00 CET
Open Horizons is launching an open call to support women-led startups working in deep-tech and digital innovation (e.g. AI, IoT, GreenTech, cybersecurity, advanced materials and related fields). Selected startups can receive up to €55,000 in equity-free funding, mentoring, and the chance to co-design and test paid pilot projects with leading European corporates.
Who can apply?
- Startups based in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe–associated country
- Operating in deep-tech or digital sectors
- At least one woman founder or C-level leader (CEO, CTO, etc.) holding ≥25% ownership
- Early-stage companies, with limited prior equity funding (typically < €1M).
This call targets ambitious women innovators ready to validate and scale their solutions together with corporate partners across Europe.
More: https://www.openhorizonsproject.eu/resources/
⏱️INNOVATE-EU Steering Committee Meeting in Vilnius
26–27 November 2025
🇱🇹 Last week, partners from across Europe gathered in Vilnius for the INNOVATE-EU Steering Committee Meeting, hosted in the historic heart of Lithuania’s capital. The meeting brought together all consortium members for two days of strategic alignment, collaboration, and planning for the next phase of Horizon Europe project.
🖍️ Held at the Pacai Hotel, event gave partners the opportunity to look across all Work Packages and jointly evaluate progress toward our Specific Objectives (SO1–SO5). Throughout the day, discussions were structured around the project’s key objectives, with each partner leading the session connected to their work package. In each block, partners reflected on completed activities, achievements, challenges, and upcoming milestones.
🤝 The meeting concluded with a forward-looking session focused on planning upcoming activities, monitoring progress toward targets, and identifying where additional support or mitigation measures may be needed – ensuring strong project momentum as we approach the next phase.
🤝 Of course, collaboration continued beyond the meeting room. The consortium shared an exceptional Lithuanian fine-dining experience during the official dinner at Ertlio Namas after meeting and creating new connections with other consortiums in Vilnius having similar meetings.
A big thanks to AgriFood Lithuania in Vilnius for the warm welcome and excellent organization. We look forward to carrying these insights into the next year of INNOVATE-EU – empowering startups, strengthening innovation ecosystems, and building a more interconnected Europe.
🌱 INNOVATE-EU at AgriFood Forum 2026 🌱
Thrilled to share that the INNOVATE-EU consortium – a collaborative Horizon-Europe initiative uniting partners from Lithuania, Germany, Spain, Latvia, and Romania – joined the stage at AgriFood Forum 2026, working together toward a more inclusive, cross-regional innovation ecosystem in the agrifood sector alongside with greentech, medtech and ICT.
We’re especially proud to spotlight consortium partner Armands Lejas-Krumins who contributed to a panel discussion rich with insights on sustainable food systems, regional cooperation and bridging innovation gaps across Europe.
What resonated most:
🍏 Youth integration: A strong focus was placed on involving young people in agrifood through education and entrepreneurship opportunities.
🍏 Talent development & attraction: Building and attracting skilled talent is essential for strengthening regional innovation capacity.
🍏 Capital for startups & scaleups: The panel underscored the need for better access to investment and cross-border funding to help founders grow and scale.
A big thanks to AgriFood Lithuania for hosting such an impactful event – and to everyone who joined the discussion and shared their vision for the future of agrifood in Europe.
Looking forward to continuing the journey with INNOVATE-EU, and exploring new partnerships, ideas and opportunities across Europe. 🚀
💬 INNOVATE-EU Interregional Workshop: Key Highlights
On 11 November 2025, INNOVATE-EU brought together 27 participants from 8 regions across 5 countries for an online INNOVATE-EU Workshop on Interregional Collaboration.
🥅 The goal: to strengthen connections between European innovation ecosystems and explore new opportunities to support startups.
💡 Participants shared regional insights, discussed collaboration challenges, and worked interactively on topics such as:
– Investment & funding collaboration
–Market access & internationalisation
–Good practices in startup support
–Talent and staff mobility
–Navigating EU startup regulation.
⤴️ The workshop concluded with a forward-looking discussion on how to build a sustainable INNOVATE-EU community, ensuring continued exchange and measurable impact.
🙏 A big thank you to everyone who contributed ideas, energy, and expertise. Together, we are building stronger bridges across Europe’s innovation landscape.
