The Enterprise Europe Network would like to share an exciting funding opportunity for women-led deep-tech startups in the GreenTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech sectors under the WE-RISE Open Call 2.
What is WE-RISE Open Call 2?
WE-RISE (Women Entrepreneurs in Renewable, Innovative, and Sustainable Enterprises) is a Horizon Europe-funded initiative designed to empower women-led startups developing innovative and sustainable technological solutions in key green and climate sectors.
The second open call aims to select and support 20 women-led tech startups from EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries, with emphasis on those from moderate and emerging innovator regions, including Cyprus.
Key Features of the Open Call
- Application period: 4 December 2025 – 12 February 2026, 17:00 CET.
- Total budget: €600,000.
- Selected startups: 20 women-led deep-tech companies in GreenTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech.
- Focus: Deep-tech solutions with environmental impact and strong growth
Support and Funding Structure
The programme includes two phases:
Phase 1 – Nurture (Strategy & Empowerment):
- A 3-month intensive support
- Each selected startup receives a grant of €5,000 to support strategic planning, participation in exhibitions, fairs, and investor meetings.
- Startups benefit from specialised training, business coaching, peer learning, and development of a Strategic Action Plan (SAP).
Phase 2 – Bloom (Acceleration):
- Up to 10 startups from Phase 1 will be selected for
- Each will receive a grant of €50,000 to boost product development, market expansion, investor engagement, and strategic growth activities.
Eligibility Criteria (Summary)
To apply for WE-RISE Open Call 2, startups must:
- Be women-led, with leadership positions such as CEO, CTO, or CSO held by a
- Operate in the GreenTech, AgriTech, or ClimateTech
- Develop advanced deep-tech solutions with clear sustainability
- Be legally established in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe associated country before 1 January 2025.
- Preferential selection is given to startups established in moderate and emerging innovator countries (e.g., Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain).
- Meet at least one transversal requirement, such as having achieved product- market fit (TRL 6–8) or having raised minimum public/private funding of €300,000.
How to Apply
Eligible startups should:
- Create a profile on the EuroQuity platform.
- Join the WE-RISE Greenhouse Community.
- Complete and submit the WE-RISE Open Call 2 application in English before the deadline.
Apply and find more details HERE.
For any additional questions, you may contact us via email at eency@ccci.org.cy
Soti Christou Officer CCCI | Department of Services, Trade and Digitalization Coordinator of Enterprise Europe Network Cyprus