Organization · Accelerator
EmpoWomen Programme
EmpoWomen Programme is a European Union-funded initiative supporting women-led deep tech startups from Widening Area countries. It provides equity-free funding, mentorship, and resources to foster gender equality in entrepreneurship.
Overview
What EmpoWomen Programme does
What EmpoWomen Programme is
EmpoWomen Programme is a European Union-funded initiative supporting women-led deep tech startups from Widening Area countries. It provides equity-free funding, mentorship, and resources to foster gender equality in entrepreneurship.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host and event host and publisher capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Accelerator
- Founded
- Founded in 2024
- Approximate age
- About 2 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host · Event host · Publisher
- Last reviewed
- April 3, 2026
What Accelerator means
An accelerator is a structured, short-term program designed to speed up a startup's progress toward product-market fit, traction, fundraising, or scale.
Open the glossary entryOfficial channels
Find EmpoWomen Programme elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
EmpoWomen Programme as a funder
Investment thesis
EmpoWomen aims to address the underrepresentation of women in the deep-tech sector by supporting women-led startups with equity-free funding, mentorship, and resources.
Focus narrative
EmpoWomen focuses on investing in women-led deep-tech startups from Widening Area countries and associated regions. The program provides tailored acceleration, mentoring, and non-repayable funding, totaling up to €1.125 million to support the growth of selected startups. The initiative aims to empower female entrepreneurs by breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive ecosystem for female-led businesses.
Value beyond capital
EmpoWomen provides tailored support, mentorship, and access to a network of investors, culminating in a Demo Day where startups present their businesses to potential investors.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $1,125,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator
- Regions
- Europe
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 24
Portfolio context
The first cohort includes companies like HUGUP, which offers advanced support wear for pregnancy wellness, and IPLEXMED, providing portable genetic diagnostic devices. Other notable startups include Astroteq.ai, an AI-driven earthquake forecasting system, and GOTECH Antimicrobial, which develops antimicrobial technologies for medical devices. The second cohort features eDynamics Technologies, focusing on AI-driven musculoskeletal fatigue monitoring, and PURR.AI, an AI platform for drug discovery in neurological diseases.
Capability profile
EmpoWomen Programme as a program host
Program thesis
EmpoWomen aims to address the underrepresentation of women in the deep-tech sector by supporting women-led startups with equity-free funding, mentorship, and resources.
Focus narrative
EmpoWomen focuses on investing in women-led deep-tech startups from Widening Area countries and associated regions. The program provides tailored acceleration, mentoring, and non-repayable funding, totaling up to €1.125 million to support the growth of selected startups. The initiative aims to empower female entrepreneurs by breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive ecosystem for female-led businesses.
Value and support
The program offers tailored support, mentorship, and access to a network of investors, culminating in a Demo Day where startups present their businesses to potential investors.
Additional public guidance
Q: What is the duration of the program? A: The program includes a six-month acceleration phase. Q: How can startups apply? A: Startups can apply during the open calls.
Terms and economics
- Indicative investment
- $1,125,000
Format and cadence
- Typical duration
- 26 weeks
- Cohorts per year
- 2
Availability
- Application state
- Accepting
- Next deadline
- March 8, 2024
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator
- Regions
- Europe
Alumni and track record
- Last recorded cohort
- January 8, 2024
Alumni context
Notable alumni include HUGUP, which provides advanced support wear for pregnancy wellness, and IPLEXMED, which develops portable genetic diagnostic devices for accessible health support.
Capability profile
EmpoWomen Programme as an event host
Event focus
EmpoWomen focuses on investing in women-led deep-tech startups from Widening Area countries and associated regions. The program provides tailored acceleration, mentoring, and non-repayable funding, totaling up to €1.125 million to support the growth of selected startups. The initiative aims to empower female entrepreneurs by breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive ecosystem for female-led businesses.
Format narrative
The EmpoWomen program includes a six-month acceleration phase for selected startups, providing tailored support, mentorship, and access to a network of investors. The program culminates in a Demo Day where startups present their businesses to potential investors.
Participant value
EmpoWomen provides equity-free funding, mentorship, and resources to foster gender equality and diversity in entrepreneurship, helping women-led startups thrive in the deep-tech sector.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- demo-day
- Modality
- in-person
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Accepting
- Next recorded event
- March 8, 2024
- Next event location
- Various locations across Europe
Audience and fit
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Sectors
- Artificial IntelligenceHealthcareBiotech & Life SciencesFintechEnergyRobotics & Autonomous SystemsConsumerEducationReal Estate & Property TechClimate & Sustainability
- Regions
- Europe
Speakers and past editions
Speakers
Miguel García González, CEO & Co-Founder of Sploro; Tatiana Skydan, Communication Lead for EmpoWomen Programme.
Past editions
Demo Days are held at major tech conferences such as SLUSH and How to Web, showcasing the startups from the program.
Capability profile
EmpoWomen Programme as a publisher
Editorial focus
EmpoWomen is a two-year initiative aimed at addressing the underrepresentation of women in the deep-tech sector, particularly in emerging European countries. The program supports women-led startups by providing equity-free funding, mentorship, and resources to foster gender equality and diversity in entrepreneurship.
Audience value
EmpoWomen empowers female entrepreneurs by breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive ecosystem for female-led businesses through tailored acceleration, mentoring, and non-repayable funding.
Format and cadence
- Content formats
- podcast
- Primary platform
- Spotify
Availability
- Guest pitch state
- Not currently accepting
Audience and focus
- Audience
- Founders
- Regions
- Europe
Flagship work and coverage
Flagship properties
The EmpoWomen Podcast showcases stories and innovations from women-led deep-tech startups, available on Spotify.
Common questions
What to know about EmpoWomen Programme
Upseed classifies EmpoWomen Programme under the Accelerator organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, program host, event host, and publisher capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 3, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.