Open Horizons Open Call #2

Overview

Open Horizons Open Call #2 is a Horizon Europe-funded cascade funding programme designed to support early-stage women-led startups in the digital and deep-tech sectors across Europe. The initiative enables selected startups to co-create and implement pilot projects with established corporate partners through structured innovation support and equity-free funding.

What the Programme Supports

The call funds innovative pilot projects that address one of 17 corporate-defined challenges in areas such as Quantum computing, IoT predictive maintenance, cybersecurity, water management, smart robotics, biosurfactants, and more. Projects should offer technological solutions that meet real corporate needs.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be a women-led startup, legally established for 6 months to 6 years.
• Have a woman founder or co-founder in a top management role (e.g., CEO, CTO) and owning at least 25% of company shares.
• Be registered in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
• Operate in digital and/or deep-tech sectors as defined by the programme.
• Be early-stage with less than €1 million in equity raised.
• Qualify as an SME under EU definitions.
• Be a private company (associations and foundations are not eligible).
• Apply as a single legal entity (consortiums are not permitted).