WE-RISE Open Call #2 Phase 1

The WE-RISE Open Call #2 Phase 1 is a funding initiative part of the HORIZON-EIE-2024-CONNECT-01-02 Startup Europe topic under the broader WE-RISE project, which aims to empower underrepresented female entrepreneurs, specifically targeting women-led startups in the GreenTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech sectors. The program emphasizes support for startups originating from emerging European countries and has a total budget of €600,000.

The application window for submissions opened on December 4, 2025, and will close on February 12, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time. This opportunity is structured in two phases: Phase 1, which is a three-month nurturing period, allows for the selection of 20 startups that will each receive a grant of €5,000 for travel expenses related to industry events. In Phase 2, the 10 most promising startups from Phase 1 will receive an additional €50,000 grant and four months of acceleration support to implement their strategic action plans.

Eligibility is strictly tailored, requiring all applicants to be legally established women-led startups located within EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries. Of the selected startups, at least 60% must come from emerging or moderate innovator countries, as defined by the EU Innovation Scoreboard. Startups facing the application process must demonstrate they have achieved market-product fit or have obtained at least one round of funding, indicating previous market validation.

The application mechanism is an open call requiring submissions through the EuroQuity platform, where applicants must create profiles and join the WE-RISE Greenhouse Community. The application evaluation process includes several steps to ensure a competitive selection, with only the top scoring proposals gaining acceptance into the program.

Support extends beyond just financial grants. Selected startups will benefit from tailored coaching, industry mentorship, investor matchmaking, specialized training on various business aspects, and visibility opportunities at networking events. The program aims to amplify the market presence of high-potential green women-led businesses and foster a more inclusive innovation ecosystem focused on sustainability.

In summary, the WE-RISE Open Call #2 Phase 1 seeks to bolster the capacities of women-led startups in key tech sectors by offering substantial financial and non-financial support, with special attention given to those from emerging innovation landscapes. The implications of this initiative are significant, aiming to facilitate systemic change within the European innovation landscape to support inclusivity and sustainability in entrepreneurial endeavors.

The WE-RISE Open Call #2 Phase 1 is a funding opportunity under the HORIZON-EIE-2024-CONNECT-01-02 Startup Europe topic, aimed at empowering underrepresented female entrepreneurs in GreenTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech. The project, titled "Women Entrepreneurs in Renewable, Innovative, and Sustainable Enterprises" (WE-RISE), seeks to amplify the market presence of high-potential Green-women-led startups, particularly those from emerging European countries. The grant agreement number is 101193381.

The opening date for submissions was December 4, 2025, and the deadline for applications is February 12, 2026, at 17:00 (Brussels time). The deadline model is single-stage. The total funding available is 600,000.00 EUR.

The WE-RISE Support Program consists of two phases. Phase 1, "Nurture: Cultivating Strategy & Empowerment," is a 3-month intensive support program designed to strengthen the business strategy and accelerate the growth of selected startups. Twenty startups will be selected for this phase, each receiving a 5,000 EUR grant to cover travel expenses for participating in exhibitions, fairs, and investor meetings. Phase 2, "Bloom: from Strategy to Acceleration," is a 4-month acceleration period where 10 of the most promising startups from Phase 1 will receive tailored support to implement their Strategic Action Plans (SAPs). Each of these startups will be awarded a 50,000 EUR grant to fuel their growth, covering activities such as product development, market expansion, and investor engagement.

The application process requires startups to create a profile on the EuroQuity platform (https://www.euroquity.com/en/community/greenhouse) and join the WE-RISE Greenhouse Community. Only applications received through this online platform will be considered eligible.

The evaluation process involves several steps. First, applications are reviewed for compliance with eligibility criteria. Then, applications are assigned to two evaluators from the Evaluation Committee for independent review. The evaluators score the applications based on predefined criteria outlined in the Open Call documentation. If discrepancies arise, a consensus meeting is held to determine the final scoring. Following the evaluations, applications are ranked based on their final scores, and the top-ranked proposals that meet the required quotas (100% women-led startups, 60% from moderate/emerging innovator countries) are selected for the program. Finally, feedback and results are communicated to the applicants.

The WE-RISE project targets deep tech green-women-led startups operating within the cleantech sectors, specifically GreenTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech. There is a particular focus on startups from moderate/emerging innovator countries according to the EU Innovation Scoreboard. Startups that have already achieved market-product fit or have raised at least a round of financing (e.g., seed) will be prioritized.

The language for application submission is English.

Joining WE-RISE offers several benefits, including financial support (up to 55,000 EUR in grants), tailored coaching and mentorship from industry experts and investors, investor and corporate matchmaking, specialized training and workshops on fundraising, market positioning, revenue models, and regulatory compliance, and visibility and market access through networking and investor demo days.

Detailed information will be provided to candidate applicants in three dedicated WE-RISE Open Call Infodays: December 16, 2025, at 11:00h CET; January 15, 2026, at 15:00h CET; and February 3, 2026, time TBC.

Web address for further information, Guidelines for applicants, FAQs: www.we-rise.eu
Email address for further information: info@we-rise.eu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/we-rise-project
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we_rise_project/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weriseprojectpage
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WE-RISE-Project

In summary, the WE-RISE Open Call #2 Phase 1 is a funding and support program designed to empower women-led startups in the GreenTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech sectors, particularly those from emerging European countries. It offers a two-phase program with grants, mentorship, training, and networking opportunities to help these startups scale their businesses and increase their impact. The program prioritizes inclusivity and aims to contribute to a more sustainable and diverse European innovation ecosystem. The application process involves creating a profile on the EuroQuity platform and submitting an application through the WE-RISE Greenhouse Community. The selection process is competitive and based on predefined evaluation criteria, with a focus on women-led startups from emerging/moderate innovator countries.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are startups, specifically deep tech green-women-led startups. Priority is given to startups from emerging/moderate innovator countries according to the EU Innovation Scoreboard, and those that have achieved market-product fit or have raised at least a seed round of financing. The startups must be established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries. 100% of the selected startups must be women-led.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant. In Phase 1, each of the 20 selected startups will receive a €5,000 grant. In Phase 2, 10 startups from Phase 1 will receive a €50,000 grant.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity is for single applicants, not consortia.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries. There is a particular focus on startups from emerging/moderate innovator countries. At least 60% of the selected startups must be established in emerging/moderate innovator countries.

Target Sector: The program targets GreenTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech sectors. It focuses on deep tech startups within the cleantech sectors.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity is open to EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries. The text also mentions a focus on emerging/moderate innovator countries according to the EU Innovation Scoreboard, but does not list specific countries.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is startups that have either already achieved market-product fit or have raised at least a round of financing (e.g. seed). The program is designed to strengthen business strategy and accelerate growth, suggesting the startups are in the development, validation, or early commercialization stages.

Funding Amount: The funding range is variable. Startups in Phase 1 receive €5,000, while those selected for Phase 2 receive an additional €50,000, totaling up to €55,000 in grants per startup for those that successfully complete both phases. The total funding available for the project is €600,000.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, specifically WE-RISE Open Call #2 Phase 1.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive both money (grants) and non-monetary services. The non-monetary services include tailored coaching and mentorship, investor and corporate matchmaking, specialized training and workshops, and visibility and market access opportunities.

Application Stages: Applicants have to pass through a 6-step evaluation process to be selected for Phase 1. To be selected for Phase 2, startups must complete Phase 1 and develop their Strategic Action Plan (SAP). Therefore, there are effectively two stages to the application process, with Phase 1 acting as a filter for Phase 2.

Success Rates: 20 startups will be selected for Phase 1 from the initial applicant pool. Then, 10 startups from Phase 1 will be selected for Phase 2. The success rate for Phase 1 is dependent on the number of applications received. The success rate for Phase 2, conditional on completing Phase 1, is 50%. The overall success rate from initial application to Phase 2 is therefore expected to be below 10%.

Co-funding Requirement: The information provided does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary:

The WE-RISE Open Call #2 Phase 1 is a funding and support program aimed at empowering underrepresented female entrepreneurs in the GreenTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech sectors. The program is designed to amplify the market presence of high-potential, green-women-led startups, particularly those from emerging European countries. The program consists of two phases: Phase 1 (Nurture) and Phase 2 (Bloom).

In Phase 1, 20 selected startups will participate in a 3-month intensive support program focused on strengthening their business strategy and accelerating growth. Each startup will receive a €5,000 grant to cover travel expenses for industry events and investor meetings.

In Phase 2, 10 of the most promising startups from Phase 1 will advance to a 4-month acceleration stage, where they will receive tailored support to implement their Strategic Action Plans (SAPs). Each of these startups will be awarded a €50,000 grant to fuel their growth, covering activities such as product development, market expansion, and investor engagement.

The program offers a total of up to €55,000 in grants, tailored coaching and mentorship, investor and corporate matchmaking, specialized training and workshops, and visibility and market access opportunities. The program prioritizes deep tech, green-women-led startups operating within the cleantech sectors, with a particular focus on moderate/emerging innovator countries according to the EU Innovation Scoreboard. Startups that have already achieved market-product fit or have raised at least a seed round of financing will be prioritized.

The application process involves submitting an application through the EuroQuity platform, followed by a multi-step evaluation process. The evaluation process includes an initial review, assignment of evaluators, scoring of applications, a consensus meeting, final selection, and feedback and results communication. The call opened on December 4, 2025, and the deadline for submissions is February 12, 2026, at 17:00 (Brussels time).