Open Horizons, a project of the EU, attracts 256 female-led startups

According to the EU-funded Open Horizons Project, which aims to boost women-led deep tech and digital startups, its first call for applications received 256 submissions from 32 different countries. European Commission.

The applications covered fields like AI, green technology, IoT and agritech, energy, sustainability, blockchain, cyber security, textiles and next-generation Internet. The ten countries with the most submissions were the UK, Türkiye, Germany, Ukraine, Spain, Poland, France, Greece, Italy, and Romania.

Open Horizons Project: Selection process underway

The “inception phase” will be selected after a five-step assessment. Each will receive €10,000 and a month of mentoring, technical guidance, and corporate networking.

From these, five companies will move into the “piloting phase,” gaining the chance to test their solutions in real-world corporate ecosystems with up to an additional €45,000 in funding.

Across three open calls between 2025 and 2027, 39 women-led startups will be supported with a share of €1.2 million, equity-free.

Women’s funding gaps: How to close the funding gap

It is important to note that the word “you” means “you”. project organisers Open Horizons is trying to address a longstanding imbalance in the startup scene of Europe. Women-led startups are 10 percent more likely to generate revenue in five years according to research. However, they receive less funding than men-led businesses.

To bridge this gap, Open Horizons has launched a “paid-pilot” scheme, giving startups both funding and the opportunity to strike follow-on agreements with major corporates – something often missing in EU initiatives.

Open Horizons: How to join as a startup

Open Horizons is open for early-stage startups from deep tech and digital industries, as long as they:

• Are based in the EU or Horizon Europe–associated countries.
• You can work in AI, IoT and blockchain, for example.
• At least one woman founder or senior executive must hold 25 percent or more of the company.
• Have raised less than €1 million prior to applying.

Future calls will give applicants the opportunity to gain access to funding, co-create projects with corporations, receive mentoring and grow through investor exposure.

You can apply directly on the Open Horizons portal.

Supporters of the initiative argue that it could finally give women entrepreneurs the corporate backing and visibility needed. Critics, however, may question whether €55,000 per startup is enough to shift Europe’s deep-rooted funding gap.

Before 2027, two more calls will be made.

All European News.

All Business News.