EU funds deeptechs with female founders

As part of the "Women TechEU" pilot program, the European Union is supporting a total of 50 start-ups led by women. Ten of the companies are from Germany.

The European Commission has launched a new funding program to promote deeptechs that are led by women. Funding for 50 companies will begin in March. Ten of the selected start-ups come from Germany. They will each receive funding in the amount of 75,000 euros. In addition, the start-ups will take part in mentoring and coaching activities.

One of the German start-ups is "Frischemanufaktur" from Halle. The company focuses on improving the shelf life of food in order to combat food waste. The start-up Nocturne from Berlin produces AI-based software for measuring retinal shape changes for neurological applications and is also taking part.

With this program, the European Commission wants to strengthen the representation of women in technology-based industries. In the high-tech sector, women often face additional hurdles such as gender-specific stereotypes. The funding is intended to combat the innovation gap between men and women and thus increase the number of start-ups led by women.

"I am particularly proud of the successful completion of the first call for proposals for Women TechEU. The high number of open applications confirms that women in the high-tech sector need to get support for their businesses at the early, most risky stage," says Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.