The EmpoWomen Programme, an initiative dedicated to empowering women-led deep-tech startups in Europe’s Widening Area, Outermost Regions, and Associated Countries, has just wrapped up its first year with a resounding success. The program culminated in a dynamic Demo Day held during Slush 2024 in Helsinki, where eleven exceptional startups showcased their groundbreaking innovations to a panel of esteemed investors.
Celebrating Innovation and Female Leadership
Three startups were recognized for their outstanding achievements:
- Astroteq.ai (Poland): Led by Noemi Zabari, this startup is developing an AI-driven earthquake forecasting system.
- IPLEXMED (Portugal): Neide Vieira, PhD, heads this company creating portable genetic diagnostic devices to increase healthcare accessibility.
- GOTECH Antimicrobial (Portugal): Patrícia C. Henriques leads this startup focused on advancing healthcare with cutting-edge antimicrobial technologies.
The Demo Day celebrated the accomplishments of all eleven participating startups, each pioneering solutions in diverse sectors:
- GMZ Enerji Sistemleri (Turkiye): Innovating in hydrogen energy and fuel cell technology.
- HUGUP (Poland): Enhancing pregnancy wellness with advanced support wear.
- INNOSENSUS (Lithuania): Developing personal biosensors for gluten detection.
- P-Agro Minerals (Latvia): Creating sustainable solutions for phosphorus recovery from wastewater.
- The Newsroom (Portugal): Building AI-powered tools to combat misinformation.
- Heilo (Poland): Producing baby stroller air-purifiers for cleaner, healthier air.
- Pinky CyberSafe (Moldova): Offering AI-driven cybersecurity solutions for SMEs.
- IQ Biozoom (Poland): Providing non-invasive health diagnostics for personal health management.
Empowering Women in Deep Tech
Launched in January 2024, the EmpoWomen Programme selected these 11 startups from a pool of 170 applicants. Over six months, the program provided:
- Tailored Acceleration: A curated program by Startup Wise Guys and Business Angels Europe.
- Equity-Free Funding: €45,000 for each participating startup.
- Comprehensive Support: Mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to essential resources.
Call for Applications: Join the Next Cohort!
The EmpoWomen Programme is excited to announce its second open call for applications, launching on December 2, 2024. Women-led deep-tech startups from eligible countries are encouraged to apply for this transformative opportunity.
To apply and learn more, visit: https://empowomen.eu/open-call-programme-plan/
About EmpoWomen
The EmpoWomen Programme (2024–2025) is a collaborative initiative by SPLORO, Startup Wise Guys, TechUkraine, and Business Angels Europe, supported by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). The program aims to break barriers for female-led businesses by providing €1.125 million in non-repayable funding and extensive mentorship to women entrepreneurs.
Media Contact
Tatiana Skydan Communication Lead, EmpoWomen Programme Email: tatiana@techukraine.org
