WE-RISE Open Call #1 Phase 1

WE-RISE Open Call #1 Phase 1

Type of grant: Cascade funding

Opening date: 12 March 2025

Deadline model: single-stage

Deadline date: 14 May 2025 22:59 (Brussels time)

Status: Open for submission

Expected duration of participation: Phase 1: 3-month intensive support program designed to strengthen their business strategy and accelerate growth. Phase 2: 4-month acceleration period, startups will move from planning to execution, with a strong focus on investor matchmaking, stakeholder engagement, and strategic business development.

Total funding available: €600.00

Project acronym: WE-RISE

Full name of the EU funded project: Women Entrepreneurs in Renewable, Innovative, and Sustainable Enterprises

Grant agreement number: 101193381

Topic: HORIZON-EIE-2024-CONNECT-01-02 - Startup Europe

Submission & evaluation process

Submission

The submission for the WE-RISE Open call #1 will be done through the official online submission platform (https://www.euroquity.com/en/community/greenhouse), which is directly linked to the WE-RISE website (www.we-rise.eu). Only applications received directly through the online submission platform will be considered eligible.

As the first step for all related startups fulfilled eligibility criteria is to create their profile on EuroQuity platform and join the WE-RISE Greenhouse Community dedicated to the project.

After entering the Community, the applicant will be allowed to fill in the application form for the WE-RISE Open Call – Phase 1.

Among the applicants, 20 startups will be selected as a result of the application process, and will be allowed to enter the Phase 1 of the WE-RISE Support Program after the signature of the Su-grant Agreement between the selected applicant and the WE-RISE Coordinator.

The possibility to apply for the Phase 2 of the WE-RISE Support Program is reserved only to the startups selected for the Phase 1 that have completed the 3-month intensive support program and developed their SAP.

The official opening of the application period for the Phase 2 of the WE-RISE Support Program.

Evaluation

The evaluation process will be conducted in the following steps:

1. Step 1: Submission and Initial Review: applications submitted via the EuroQuity platform will be reviewed in terms of compliance with the WE-RISE Open call eligibility criteria.
2. Step 2: Assignment of Evaluators: applications will be distributed among the Evaluation Committee members. Each application is assigned to two evaluators for an independent review.
3. Step 3: Scoring of Applications: evaluation of the applications by the Evaluation Committee members following the pre-defined evaluation criteria outlined in the Open Call documentation.
4. Step 4: Consensus Meeting: if discrepancies arise, the final scoring will be determined through consensus.
5. Step 5: Final Selection: following the evaluations, applications will be ranked based on their final scores. The top-ranked proposals, meeting the required quotas (i.e., 100% women-led startups, 60% from moderate/emerging innovator countries), are selected for the program.
6. Step 6: Feedback and Results Communication.

Further information about the evaluation process can be found in the official Guidelines for Applicants published on the project website (www.we-rise.eu).

Further information

WE-RISE (www.we-rise.eu) main goal is to empower underrepresented female entrepreneurs in GreenTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech, through a strategic blend of funding and tailored support. The project aims to amplify the market presence of high potential Green-women-led startups, particularly from emerging European countries. The project's pillars include amplifying market presence through targeted funding and investor matchmaking, integrating startups into the ecosystem through cross-border acceleration activities, and providing a holistic growth program. By prioritising inclusivity, diversity, and systemic change, WE-RISE seeks to enhance the impact and visibility of Green-Women-led startups, contributing to the broader advancement of the European innovation ecosystem towards sustainability.

The WE-RISE Open Call #1 Phase 1 aims to attract and select 20 women-led tech startups in GreenTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech sectors, particularly from emerging European countries, with ambition to enhance their impact and market presence.

This Open Call aims to select startups established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries:

1. 100% of the selected startups must be women-led.
2. At least 60% of the selected startups must be established in emerging/moderate innovator countries.

Selection of the startups will give them the opportunity to participate in the WE-RISE Support Program which is made of 2 phases.

Phase 1 – Nurture: Cultivating Strategy & Empowerment

20 startups will be selected to enter Phase 1 which is structured as a 3-month intensive support program designed to strengthen their business strategy and accelerate growth. Each startup will receive a €5,000 grant to cover travel expenses for participating in exhibitions, fairs, and investor meetings, ensuring exposure to key industry stakeholders.

This phase is designed to equip startups with the essential tools, insights, and networks to navigate their growth journey with confidence and strategic clarity.

Phase 2 – Bloom: from Strategy to Acceleration

For Phase 2 10 of the most promising startups from 20 selected in Phase 1, will be selected to advance into the acceleration stage, where they will receive tailored support to implement their Strategic Action Plans (SAPs). Each of these startups will be awarded a €50,000 grant to fuel their growth, covering essential activities such as product development, market expansion, and investor engagement.

Over a 4-month acceleration period, startups will move from planning to execution, with a strong focus on investor matchmaking, stakeholder engagement, and strategic business development.

Joining WE-RISE is not solely about securing funding, it is about unlocking opportunities that drive sustainable growth. This program is designed to give Green-Women-led startups, particularly from emerging European countries, the resources, connections, and expertise they need to scale successfully in GreenTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech. Here is what startups stand to gain:

1. Financial Support to Grow – Receive up to €55,000 in grants, covering key activities like investor meetings, market expansion, and product development.
2. Tailored Coaching & Mentorship – Get individualised guidance from industry experts and investors who will help refine your strategy, strengthen startups business model, and prepare for the next growth stage.
3. Investor & Corporate Matchmaking – Gain direct access to a curated network of investors, corporates, and public sector stakeholders, ensuring meaningful connections and funding opportunities.
4. Specialized Training & Workshops – Attend hands-on masterclasses on fundraising, market positioning, revenue models, and regulatory compliance, all tailored to the needs of GreenTech, AgriTech and ClimateTech startups.
5. Visibility & Market Access – Showcase startups at high-impact networking and investor demo days, where there will be opportunity to pitch to top-tier investors, corporate partners, and decision-makers in the ecosystem.

Detailed information will be provided to candidate applicants in three dedicated WE-RISE Open Call Infodays (for more information please check the project website www.we-rise.eu). The webinars are scheduled as follows:

1. Infoday #1 – 26 March 2025, 11h CET - register here
2. Infoday #2 – 8 April 2025, 16h CET - register here
3. Infoday #3 – 30 April 2025, 11h CET - register here

Task description

WE-RISE main target audience are deep tech green-women-led startups operating within the cleantech sectors (GreenTech, AgriTech & ClimateTech), with a particular focus on moderate/emerging innovator countries according to the EU Innovation Scoreboard. Startups that have either already achieved market-product fit or have raised at least a round of financing (e.g. seed) will be prioritised.

Language in which applications should be submitted: English

Application submission: https://www.euroquity.com/en/community/greenhouse

Web address for further information, Guidelines for applicants, FAQs: www.we-rise.eu

Email address for further information: info@we-rise.eu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/we-rise-project

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we_rise_project/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weriseprojectpage

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WE-RISE-Project