Open Horizons project - First Call

Open Horizons, a Horizon Europe-financed initiative, has officially launched its first Open Call for funding of women-led start-ups. Those operating in deep tech and digital innovation can apply for unique financial support from 11 June to 21 August 2025. 

Successful applicants will receive: 

• Up to €55 000 in equity-free funding,
• Tailored mentoring and strategic matchmaking,
• Opportunities to co-design and test paid pilot projects with major European corporates.

This is the first of three Open Calls under the project’s broader €1.2 million mission to boost female entrepreneurship in tech and bridge Europe’s innovation gap. The focus is on real-world business needs in sectors like AI, Green Tech, Blockchain, and Advanced Materials. 

Who can apply? 

To be eligible, startups must: 

• Be based in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe-associated country,
• Operate in deep tech or digital innovation,
• Be led by at least one woman in a key executive role (CEO, CTO or Founder) with a minimum 25% ownership,
• Be in inception or early-growth stage. 

The deadline for the submission of applications is 21 August 2025, 17.00 CEST. 

All detailed information can be found at the project website: https://www.openhorizonsproject.eu 

About Open Horizons 

A European initiative funded under Horizon Europe, Open Horizons is designed to support women-led startups in deep tech and digital innovation from 2025 to 2027. The main goal is to bridge the gender and funding gap by providing equity-free funding, hands-on mentoring, and opportunities to co-create pilot projects with major corporates. The project is coordinated by PEDAL Consulting, s.r.o. (Slovakia), with partners SPLORO (Spain), InnovX (Romania), and Migros Ticaret (Türkiye). Together, they bring expertise in cascade funding, business acceleration, and open innovation.