Open the Horizons project. Credit: instagram @openhorizonsprojecteu
According to the European Commission, the EU-funded Open Horizon Project aimed at promoting women-led digital and deep tech startups has had a “overwhelming” response to the first open call, shutting down with 256 applications from 32 countries.
Applications target fields such as AI, Green Tech, IoT, Agri-Tech, Energy and Sustainability, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Textiles, and the next-generation Internet. The ten most submitted countries were the UK, Türkiye, Germany, Ukraine, Spain, Poland, France, Greece, Italy and Romania.
Open Horizons Project: Selection Process In progress
A five-point rating is currently underway to select 11 startups for the “Inception Phase.” Each receives 10,000 euros and a month of mentoring, technical guidance and corporate networking.
From these, five companies will move into the “pilot phase” and have the opportunity to test solutions in real-world corporate ecosystems with funds of up to 45,000 euros.
Three open calls between 2025 and 2027 will support 39 women-led startups with a share of 1.2 million euros and equity-free.
Addressing the gap in women’s fundraising
The project organizers say Open Horizons is tackling years of imbalances in the European startup scene. Despite research showing that women-led startups generate 10% more revenue in five years, they typically receive much less investment than men-led ventures.
To close this gap, Open Horizons launched a “paid pilot” scheme, giving startups the opportunity to attack fundraising and subsequent contracts with major companies.
How startups join the Open Horizons program
The Open Horizons program is open to early stage startups in the Deep Tech and Digital sectors.
- It is based in countries related to the EU or Horizon Europe.
- It works in fields such as AI, IoT, Greentech, and blockchain.
- At least one female founder or C-level executive holds ownership of 25% or more.
- We raised less than 1 million euros before applying.
Future calls will allow applicants to acquire fundraising, co-created pilot projects with companies, mentoring, and scale through investor exposure.
Applications can be created directly through the Open Horizons portal.
Supporters argue that the initiative could ultimately give female founders the support and visibility of the company they need. However, critics may question whether €55,000 per startup is sufficient to change the gap in Europe’s deep-rooted funding.
Two more calls are scheduled for prior to 2027.
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