WE-RISE Open Call 2

Written by A. Antoniades on January 22, 2026. Posted in News.

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 potential.

Support and Funding Structure

The programme includes two phases:
Phase 1 – Nurture (Strategy & Empowerment):

• A 3-month intensive support programme.
• 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 acceleration.
• 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 woman.
• Operate in the GreenTech, AgriTech, or ClimateTech sectors.
• Develop advanced deep-tech solutions with clear sustainability impact.
• 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:

1. Create a profile on the EuroQuity platform.
2. Join the WE-RISE Greenhouse Community.
3. 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