Women TechEU 2: Five Key Takeaways from the InfoDay Every Deep Tech Startup Should Know

The European Commission recently hosted the first Women TechEU 2 InfoDay, providing valuable insights into the upcoming call and answering many of the questions raised by prospective applicants.

While the session covered the programme's objectives and eligibility criteria, one message stood out: a strong innovation alone is not enough. Understanding the programme's expectations and ensuring your company meets all eligibility requirements are just as important as preparing a compelling proposal.

Here are five key takeaways that startups should consider before starting their application.

1. Eligibility should be your first checkpoint

One of the most recurring themes during the InfoDay was eligibility. Questions related to company age, ownership structure, technology readiness level (TRL) and leadership requirements highlighted that many applicants risk investing significant time in a proposal before confirming whether they actually qualify.

Before drafting an application, startups should carry out a thorough eligibility assessment to identify any potential issues early in the process.

2. Female leadership is about more than having a female founder

Women TechEU is designed to support women-led deep tech startups, but eligibility goes beyond simply having a woman listed among the founders. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate that female leadership is reflected in the company's management and decision-making structure. The consistency between the company's governance, shareholding and leadership roles is an important aspect to consider when preparing the application.

3. Technology maturity matters

Women TechEU targets innovative deep tech companies at an early stage of development. Clearly demonstrating the maturity of your technology and ensuring that it aligns with the programme's expected Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is essential. Applicants should also explain how the proposed activities will help move the innovation closer to market deployment. A well-defined development roadmap can strengthen the credibility of the proposal and help evaluators understand the project's potential.

4. Successful applications start long before the deadline

Preparing a competitive proposal requires much more than completing an application form. The strongest applications are usually the result of careful planning, including reviewing eligibility requirements, refining the value proposition, collecting supporting documentation and aligning the project with the European Commission's evaluation criteria.

Starting this work well before the call deadline provides valuable time to improve the proposal and address any weaknesses.

5. Think beyond the grant

Although Women TechEU offers financial support, its value extends far beyond the grant itself.

Preparing an application encourages startups to assess their innovation strategy, validate their business roadmap and position themselves within the broader European innovation ecosystem. These are valuable exercises not only for Women TechEU but also for future opportunities under programmes such as the EIC Accelerator and Horizon Europe. Companies that approach the programme strategically—not simply as a funding opportunity—are often better positioned for long-term growth and future European funding.

Turning opportunities into competitive proposals

European funding programmes are becoming increasingly competitive, making preparation more important than ever. For startups considering Women TechEU 2, investing time in strategic preparation today can significantly improve the chances of success when the call opens.