The third edition of Women TechEU (2026-2028), an EU-funded project supporting women leading deep tech startup companies from Europe, has been launched and opened its call for applications.

Over the next two years, 160 selected European startups will receive €75,000 in non-dilutive funding, together with a personalised business development programme including one-to-one mentoring, training, matchmaking with investors and corporates, and networking opportunities.

At the heart of Women TechEU is the belief that diversity drives innovation, and for too long European women’s talent and potential has been hampered by structural barriers, including gender inequality and geographical resource capacity, read a statement by AcrossLimits, a Maltese SME that works in the field of innovation, research and entrepreneurship.

Closing this gap between European women and men-led deep tech companies could unlock value of up to €181 billion, it said.

In this context, Women TechEU has cemented itself as one of the EU’s most dynamic and impactful innovation programmes, supporting 344 women-led companies over six cohorts who are pushing the boundaries of European deep tech.

Its legacy began when it was administered directly by the European Commission in 2021. As of 2024, the Women TechEU Scheme has been externalised and run by two successive consortiums of European organisations, and is currently being run by a consortium made up of 15 organisations from 11 EU countries.

AcrossLimits is a core partner in the managing consortium, leading the implementation of several key aspects of the scheme. Maltese women-led deep tech companies have the opportunity to tap into this competitive funding scheme, which reserves 40 per cent of its budget exclusively for the participation of organisations from areas that face innovation gaps compared to the EU average – Malta being one such area.

Angele Giuliano, Maltese entrepreneur and AcrossLimits’ Managing Director, comments  “Women TechEU has been seen by our awardees as an instrumental gamechanger for their progress in scaling up their business. We are building a real community and network of female leaders that are not only recognised as deep tech leaders, but that are able to inspire others to follow in their footsteps, thus helping the European economy to grow and thrive. We hope that one day soon we will see a Maltese company join the ranks of these trailblazers.” 

The Women TechEU open call will be receiving applications over the next year. The eligibility application phase launched on 1st June 2026, with weekly cut-offs every Tuesday at 5pm (Brussels time) starting from 30th June 2026 up till 13th July 2027. The application for the full proposal will open in July 2026, with 4 submission deadlines. All information and the application can be accessed via the Women TechEU website.