Promoting female role models and innovative business leaders across the innovation, tech and business spectrum is more important than ever. Tech is increasingly shaping every aspect of our daily lives and it is crucial that women have an equal say in shaping tech. To reinforce women in tech business, the European Innovation Council (EIC) is proud to launch the 2022 Women Leadership Programme, taking place online on 20 May 2022 (10:00 – 11:30). 

The time is now!

Registrations are open until 19 May 2022.

The EIC WLP 2022 continues to change the status quo across the entrepreneurial spectrum. Building on the success of the programme’s first edition in 2021, this year’s programme increases the number of participants and adopts a new approach to target researchers and entrepreneurs among its participants. 

The launching event will feature a detailed overview of the programme. The event will provide an opportunity to raise questions and get to know each other. We will be also honoured by the presence of Jean-David Malo, Director of EISMEA. To top it off, a roundtable discussion engaging key actors of the WLP’s first edition will share their gems of wisdom by shedding the light on different aspects of the programme.

Save the date: 

Happening on 20 May 2022, from 10:00 to 11:30 (CET), join us while we host the EIC’s Women Leadership Programme 2022 Launching Event!

Event Plan 

20 May - 10:00 to 11:30 (CET)

• 10:00 – 10:05

Welcome

Katrina Sichel | Host

• 10:05 to 10:15 

Welcome by high-level European Commission Representative 

Speaker: Nathalie Stefanowicz, Head of Department for Compliance, People and Budget, EISMEA 

• 10:15 to 10:45 

Raising new leaders: What does it take to empower women in tech?

Speakers:  

Denisa Perrin | Deputy Head of Unit, EU and place-based Innovation Ecosystems, EISMEA

Amparo de San José Riestra, EIT Food Business Creation Programme Manager

Viorel Peca, Head of Transition Activities and Business Acceleration Services Unit, EISMEA

Q&A 

• 10:45 to 10:55 

Testimonials from the Women Leadership Programme  

Speakers: 

Catherine Schreiber | Deputy CEO & Co-Founder of ADVITOS, WLP participant 

Peter Griffiths | Leadership & Creativity Coach - Co-Founder of The Mind Takeaway, WLP Mentor

• 10:55 to 11:15 

Women Leadership Programme 2022: What’s in it for future leaders? 

Speaker: Veronica Beneitez Pinero, Deputy Head of Transition Activities and Business Acceleration Services Unit 

• 11:15 to 11:30 

Closing Remarks 

Speaker: Jean-David Malo | Director of EISMEA 

Additional information 

About the EIC Women Leadership Programme 

Women-led companies are on the rise. The participation of women in deep tech is not only a matter of fairness but an important case of using Europe’s full potential of excellence in science and businesses. The EIC proactively seized this great opportunity for growth: the latest EIC Accelerator calls stated that at least 25% of applications invited for the second stage of evaluation should come from women (co)founded or led companies. As a result, the number of selected women (co) founded and led companies went from 7% to 34% (compared to the previous EIC-call). This contributed to an overall increase in the female led companies from 8% to 15% (blended finance calls only).   

To further build upon this, the EIC is offering a dedicated mentoring programme, the EIC Women Leadership Programme (WLP), which aims to level the playing field in scalable businesses and mindsets by unlocking potential and breaking down barriers to success!      

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