EIC Women Leadership Programme: Open call for Mentors

To support the role of women in innovation and tech, the European Innovation Council (EIC), in partnership with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), offers a skills enhancement and networking programme for women researchers and entrepreneurs, the Women Leadership Programme (WLP). To this end, the EIC is looking for motivated and experienced entrepreneurs, investors, innovators and senior managers (M/F) to join the programme as mentors. 

What’s in it for you as a mentor?  

• Contribute to bringing a positive change to the mentee’s life;  

• Be exposed to fresh perspectives, ideas and approaches;  

• Expand your professional network;  

• Play an active role in the EIC Community, Europe’s largest community of entrepreneurs and researchers;  

• Be at the forefront of increasing the role of women in innovation and tech;  

• Develop your personal leadership and mentoring styles.  

Note: Mentoring is provided pro-bono. 

Who can become a mentor?  

If you are a change-maker and want to have a long-term impact on women’s participation in business within the tech and innovation ecosystem, join us as a mentor! 

We are looking for entrepreneurs, investors, innovators and senior managers who:  

• Have extensive managerial experience;  

• Have a wide and diverse professional network;  

• Have experience in dealing with multiple issues in a fast-paced growth environment. 

• Take a 360º approach to leadership and personal development;   

• Are sensitive to work-life balance topics;  

• Are willing to become a long-term trusted advisor;  

• Show empathy, integrity, credibility, diligence, independence and patience.  

How can you become a mentor?  

You can apply to become a mentor in the WLP 4th cohort by filling out this application form before 29 January 2024. 

We will ask you some questions about your background and motivation to become a mentor. We will also ask you to upload your CV. Please not that only CVs in English, pdf format and with 3 pages as maximum length will be considered.  

Applications for mentors are on a rolling basis before each WLP cohort. 

What is the level of commitment?  

We ask mentors to dedicate a minimum of 2 hours per month for a 6-month period, in order to establish and maintain a close relationship with their mentees. While the training sessions of the Women in Leadership Programme are ongoing (8-weeks), we ask mentors to meet with their mentees on a bi-weekly basis. Once the training sessions have finished, meetings can take place once a month. Besides the direct commitment with their mentee, mentors will also be invited to participate in networking events to explore possible synergies with other mentors and/or mentees.  

How does the matching process work?  

Validated mentors will be invited to join an online platform, where they can share their expertise and background, and express the added value they bring to the mentoring experience. Mentees will be able to search, scout and find the most suitable mentors for their needs and preferences. The WLP team will support the matching process, by providing a set of potential matches to the mentees and organising networking opportunities to ensure the best choice is made.  

When will the matching process take place?  

The matching of mentors and mentees will take place before the start of each Women in Leadership Programme cohort. The matching for the 4th WLP cohort (starting March 2024) will take place in February 2024.  

When and where will mentoring activities of the 4th WLP cohort take place?  

All mentoring activities will take place online. Mentor – Mentee bi-weekly meetings will take place in March and April 2024. Together with your mentee, you will schedule these meetings at a time that fit both your schedules. After the closing ceremony, mentors and mentees can decide to continue their bi-weekly meetings or change the frequency to monthly meetings. Before applying as a mentor, please make sure you are available for the following events.  

Additional information  

Support to women innovators is among the cornerstones of the EIC efforts to the economic competitiveness of Europe. The wide recognition and traction with high potential startups, especially from underrepresented groups such as women innovators and those from less developed ecosystems, has thus been included among the six strategic goals that the EIC Board has identified for the period 2021-2027. 

Initiatives from the European Innovation Council are providing a positive outcome to change the status quo and the gender gap in research and business. EIC supported deep tech innovation and breakthrough technologies indicate that almost 25% of the EIC Accelerator funding under Horizon Europe was so far dedicated to women-led companies, with similar EIC average funding per project (€ 5.6 million and €5,8 million, respectively). Since 2021, EIC women-led companies have received €852 million. In addition, 30% of all researchers supported under the EIC Pathfinder are women. 

The EIC WLP aims to enhance skills and promote networking for women in the EIC Community. In doing so, the EIC seeks to increase the number of women-led companies created and succeeding in business, and increase diversity in innovation and tech. 

About the EIC Business Acceleration Services 

This opportunity is brought to you by the EIC Business Acceleration Services. To explore other opportunities to connect with the largest corporates in Europe, keep an eye on our events page or subscribe to EIC Newsletter. 

Need help? 

For additional information, please refer to our helpdesk (please choose 'EIC Women Leadership Programme' as the subject).