What is the EIC Women Leadership Programme?

Women-led companies are on the rise. The participation of women in deep tech is not only a matter of fairness but an important case of using Europe’s full potential of excellence in science and businesses. The European Innovation Council (EIC) is proactively seizing this great opportunity for growth: the latest EIC Accelerator calls stated that at least 25% of applications invited for the second stage of evaluation should come from women-led companies. As a result, the amount of selected women-led companies went from 7% to 34% (compared to the previous EIC-call). This contributed to an overall increase in the women-led companies from 8% to 15% (blended finance calls only).

To further build upon this, the EIC is offering a dedicated mentoring and coaching programme for aspiring women researchers and innovators: the EIC Women Leadership Programme (WLP). This programme aims to level the playing field in scalable mindsets and businesses by unlocking potential and breaking down barriers to success!  The EIC WLP will enhance the participants business skills and promote their networking beyond the EIC Community. In doing so, the EIC seeks to increase the number of women-led companies created and succeeding in business, and increase diversity in innovation and tech.

After having received close to 500 applications for the ‘EIC WLP mentor call’, the EIC is now looking for women members of EIC beneficiaries to apply to the programme. More information can be found in the open call below.

Open call

Open call – EIC Women Leadership Programme: levelling the playing field 

https://community-smei.easme-web.eu/articles/eic-women-leadership-programme-levelling-playing-field

Timeline