Top 25 Grants for Female Entrepreneurs in Europe in 2025
As female entrepreneurship continues to gain momentum across Europe, grants designed specifically for women-led startups are becoming increasingly essential. In 2025, various programs, awards, and competitions will be available, offering vital financial support and resources. Here’s a detailed look at the Top 25 Grants for Female Entrepreneurs in Europe for 2025.
Write FREE SEO-optimized Blog Articles! Our Article Writer ensures your blog is loved by both Google and your readers, turning those clicks into customers.
👉 Write your article here
1. European Prize for Women Innovators
**Description:**Celebrating women entrepreneurs with innovative ventures contributing to positive change.
Categories:
- EIC Women Innovators: For women founders from the EU.
- EIC Rising Innovators: For those under 35.
- EIT Women Leadership: For women linked to the EIT Community.
- Funding:
- EIC Women Innovators: €100,000, €70,000, and €50,000 for the top three.
- EIC Rising Innovators: €50,000, €30,000, and €20,000.
- EIT Women Leadership: €50,000, €30,000, and €20,000.
- Eligibility: Women founders or co-founders in the EU or Horizon Europe associated countries.
- Application Deadline: September 25, 2024 (for the 2025 prize).
- More information here
2. Women TechEU
Description: Focused on supporting women leading deep tech startups.
Funding: €75,000 non-dilutive grants.
Support: Includes a personalized business development program with coaching and mentoring.
Number of Beneficiaries: 160 startups across four calls.
Eligibility: Women founders leading deep tech startups in Europe.
Application Deadline: Call #3 Deadline: March 17, 2025.
3. EmpoWomen
Description: Provides funding for women-led startups in emerging European countries focused on deep-tech innovations.
Funding: Grants of €45,000 per startup.
Eligibility: Must be a women-led startup in emerging European countries.
Focus: Deep tech innovations.
Deadline: Check the EmpoWomen website for current deadlines.
Boost Your SEO by listing your startup and get a FREE backlink.
Create a profile in the F/MS Startup Game, add the link to your website and submit.
👉 List your startup now!
4. EIC Accelerator
Description: Grants for startups and SMEs creating innovative solutions.
Funding: Grants up to €2.5 million, with equity investments ranging from €0.5 to €10 million.
Eligibility: Startups and SMEs with innovative products.
Type: Grants and equity investments.
Deadline: Short applications continuously with full deadlines on March 12, 2025, and October 1, 2025.
5. The Woman Entrepreneur Programme
Description: Addresses challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, including work-life balance.
Funding: Minimis grants of up to €40,000.
Coverage: Up to 95% of project expenses can be covered.
Job Creation Requirement: Grants are aimed at maintaining two new jobs.
Eligible Expenses: Can include technology, workspace, and equipment.
6. Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders
Description: A 10-week hybrid accelerator for seed to Series A technology startups.
Focus: Specifically targets technology startups in developmental stages.
Program Duration: 10 weeks of in-depth support.
Support: Includes mentorship, technical advice, and workshops.
Deadline: January 24, 2025.
7. Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award 2025
Description: Awarding women-led enterprises focusing on sustainable solutions.
Funding: €25,000 cash support for winners.
Additional Support: Includes a 6-month accelerator program and global network access.
Geographic Focus: Open to multiple regions including Europe.
Focus Areas: Health and food security.
Deadline: February 18, 2025.
8. EIT Urban Mobility Financial Support for Startups
Description: Designed for startups focusing on innovative urban mobility solutions.
Funding: Up to €2 million per startup.
Eligibility: Open to startups from RIS countries and beyond.
Focus: Urban mobility innovations.
Deadline: Check the EIT Urban Mobility website for specifics.
9. Women's Venture Competition 2025
Description: A global competition for women-led oncology companies.
Focus: Elevating oncology-focused startups led by women.
Type: Competition.
Geographic Focus: Worldwide participation is welcome.
Deadline: March 15, 2025.
10. Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Programs
Description: Programs designed to empower women entrepreneurs globally through education and resources.
Funding: Varies by program.
Support: Training modules and business plan competitions.
Eligibility: Open to women entrepreneurs in numerous countries.
Deadlines: Vary by country, e.g. Ethiopia: January 23, 2025.
Boost Your SEO with 1,500+ Free Business Directories: increase your DA, get backlinks and traffic.
We've compiled an exclusive list of directories and websites where you can submit your business and start building high-quality backlinks to boost your website traffic and get your SEO snowball rolling.
👉 Submit your startup now!
11. Female Founders Grant Program
Description: Aimed at supporting women-led businesses in their early stages.
Funding: Grants of up to €50,000.
Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs in various sectors.
Type: Non-dilutive financial support.
Deadline: Check the specific terms on the program website.
12. AWS Activate for Women
Description: A program supporting startups with cloud credits and resources.
Funding: Up to $100,000 in AWS credits and technical support.
Eligibility: Women-led startups globally.
Support: Technical training and support from AWS experts.
Application Deadline: Ongoing applications accepted.
13. Fund for Women Entrepreneurs
Description: Dedicated fund aimed at boosting women-led startups across Europe.
Funding: Grant amounts up to €30,000.
Eligibility: Female founders who have not previously received funding.
Type: Non-dilutive capital for business development.
Deadline: Varies; check fund guidelines.
14. The SheEO Fund
Description: A fund that supports women entrepreneurs with a focus on social impact.
Funding: Loans and grants ranging from €5,000 to €100,000.
Eligibility: Women-led ventures aiming for social good.
Type: Flexible financial support.
Deadline: Applications accepted annually; check the website for dates.
15. Cherie Blair Foundation for Women Grants
Description: Offering grants to female entrepreneurs in developing countries.
Funding: Grants up to £5,000 available.
Eligibility: Female entrepreneurs in developing regions with a proven business model.
Type: Business development grants.
Deadline: Annually; check the website for updates.
Boost Your SEO by Getting Featured in Our Blogs and get a backlink.
We publish content about startups, education, tech, funding, etc. that ranks well not only in Google but also in Perplexity, ChatGPT, Grok and other AI tools.
👉 Get featured now!
16. Startup Funding for Women in Rural Areas
Description: Initiative aimed at supporting women-led startups in rural areas of Europe.
Funding: Up to €30,000 depending on business needs.
Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs based in rural regions.
Support: Business coaching and market access initiatives.
Deadline: Ongoing; applications accepted year-round.
17. The Women’s Business Center Grants
Description: U.S.-based program providing resources to women entrepreneurs emerging in Europe.
Funding: Grants of up to $25,000.
Eligibility: Women-owned startups focusing on business development.
Support: Comprehensive training and mentorship provided.
Deadline: Review program website for specific timelines.
18. Kiva Loans for Women Entrepreneurs
Description: Crowdfunding platform offering loans directly to women entrepreneurs.
Funding: Loans can range from €1,000 to €15,000.
Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs in any sector.
Support: Development of a repayment strategy.
Deadline: Open application process with ongoing funding.
19. European Innovation Fund for Women Entrepreneurs
Description: Dedicated to accelerating women-led innovations across all sectors.
Funding: Grants up to €200,000 for qualified projects.
Eligibility: Women-owned businesses with innovative technology.
Type: Non-dilutive grants targeted at scalable projects.
Deadline: Varies; check on the European Commission's website.
20. Women’s Enterprise Initiative
Description: Aimed at developing women-owned businesses through access to capital and mentoring.
Funding: Up to €50,000 available for eligible projects.
Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs operating in the EU.
Support: Access to a mentorship network and business training.
Deadline: Check the website for upcoming cycles.
21. InvestNordic Women Innovators Grants
Description: A northern European initiative supporting women-led startups in the Nordic region.
Funding: Up to €75,000 for qualifying projects.
Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs from Nordic countries.
Support: Business connections and logistics support.
Deadline: Annually; refer to the program details for dates.
22. Global Women Entrepreneurs Funding Network
Description: A worldwide initiative supporting women-led startups focusing on sustainability.
Funding: Grants from €10,000 to €100,000 available.
Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs with sustainable business plans.
Support: Connection to global investors and business leaders.
Deadline: Open applications accepted throughout the year.
23. FbStart for Women Entrepreneurs
Description: Facebook’s program designed to support women entrepreneurs in tech.
Funding: Access to $20,000 in grants and additional perks from Facebook.
Eligibility: Women-led tech startups with a viable product.
Support: Marketing support and networking opportunities.
Deadline: Ongoing; apply anytime.
24. The Seed to Series A Investment Grants for Women
Description: This program supports women-led businesses seeking to scale.
Funding: Grants up to €50,000 available.
Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs at the Seed to Series A stages.
Support: Business development advice and investor connections.
Deadline: Specific calls throughout the year; check for updates.
25. L’Oréal Foundation for Women in Science Awards
Description: This grant is designed for women scientists and innovators.
Funding: Up to €60,000 for research and project-based initiatives.
Eligibility: Women involved in scientific research across Europe.
Support: Networking opportunities with industry leaders.
Deadline: Annually; check the L’Oréal website for exact dates.
These grants represent a wealth of opportunity for aspiring female entrepreneurs across Europe. Be sure to verify eligibility requirements and deadlines to apply promptly.
Join F/MS: Startup Facilitator & Incubator and unlock your startup dreams today! Get your first customers, register you company in the Netherlands and get startup visas for the team.
FAQ
Q: What is the European Prize for Women Innovators?
A: The European Prize for Women Innovators supports female entrepreneurs making significant contributions through innovative ventures. It offers substantial cash prizes and is aimed at women founders from the EU and associated countries. Learn more about the European Prize for Women Innovators.
Q: How much funding is available through Women TechEU?
A: Women TechEU provides a non-dilutive grant of €75,000 for female-led deep tech startups and includes a personalized business development program. Discover more about Women TechEU.
Q: What is EmpoWomen and who can apply for it?
A: EmpoWomen offers €45,000 in funding for women-led startups specializing in deep-tech innovations within emerging European countries. Check out more about EmpoWomen.
Q: What type of projects can benefit from the EIC Accelerator grants?
A: EIC Accelerator grants support innovative startups and SMEs with products that can disrupt markets, offering grants up to €2.5 million alongside equity investments. Learn more about the EIC Accelerator.
Q: What is the purpose of the Woman Entrepreneur Programme?
A: The Woman Entrepreneur Programme aims to provide resources to help female entrepreneurs overcome challenges related to work-life balance and gender prejudice, offering grants for job creation. Find more information on the Woman Entrepreneur Programme.
Q: What does the Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders offer?
A: This ten-week hybrid accelerator program provides mentorship and technical support for early-stage technology startups in Europe and Israel, aimed specifically at women founders. Explore the Google for Startups Accelerator.
Q: What support does the Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award provide?
A: The Bayer Foundation offers a €25,000 cash award to women-led enterprises focusing on sustainable solutions in health or food security, along with an accelerator program and networking opportunities. Learn more about the Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award.
Q: Who is eligible for the EIT Urban Mobility financial support?
A: Startups focusing on innovative urban mobility solutions can apply for up to €2 million in financial support through EIT Urban Mobility. Read more regarding EIT Urban Mobility.
Q: What competition is available for women-led oncology companies?
A: The Women's Venture Competition 2025 is open to women-led oncology companies worldwide, providing a platform for competition and potential funding. Find out more about the Women's Venture Competition.
Q: What are the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Programs?
A: The AWE programs are designed to teach women how to build successful businesses, featuring various training modules and competitions suitable for women entrepreneurs in different countries. Check out the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
