As part of the EIC Business Acceleration Services, the European Innovation Council (EIC) is pleased to announce the launch of the 8th cohort of the EIC Women Leadership Programme (EIC WLP) in partnership with the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT). Building on the success from the previous editions, this cohort, running from March to June 2025, is open to women (co-)founders and leaders in C-suite positions.
It will serve the needs of advanced entrepreneurs (startups at least 2 years old) by helping them grow their businesses, providing valuable guidance on key leadership and entrepreneurial skills such as negotiation, fundraising, and team development. Each participant will get access to a personal mentor and business coach, and will have the opportunity to expand their network through online events.
If you would like to boost up your leadership and entrepreneurial skills,
apply until 9 February 2025, EOD!
Got your attention? Check out the testimonials from previous editions below or watch our video to know more:
Key components of the programme
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Training Sessions: deep diving into a variety of leadership and entrepreneurial topics
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Networking Events: expanding your contacts in the business world
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Business Coaching Scheme: addressing your business challenges
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Personal Mentoring Scheme: unlocking your personal career development
Timeline
Before applying, please check the timeline of our activities below to ensure your availability:
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20 January 2025 |
Launch Open Call for Applications |
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28 January 2025 10:00-11:00 CET |
Info Session about the programme Register here to join us online and get to know the programme |
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9 February (23:59 CET) |
Application deadline |
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28 February 2025 |
Confirmation of participation |
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20 March 2025 09:30-11:00 CET |
Introductory workshop and welcome to the programme, online |
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1-2 April 2025 |
Kick-off bootcamp, Brussels, Belgium EIC Women Leadership Programme Alumni meet-up, Brussels, Belgium The event is tied to the EIC Summit from 2-3rd April. We highly encourage you to seize this opportunity. Admission to the conference is free. |
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April-May 2025 On Tuesdays, 09:30-11:30 CET |
Training sessions and networking activities, online |
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27 May 2025, 09:30-11:00 CET |
Closing Ceremony, online |
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10 June 2025, 11:00-12:30 CET |
Pitching, online |
*Please kindly note that the EIC or EIT will not cover your travel & logistic expenses to attend the in-person event.
Eligibility criteria
The 8th cohort of the EIC Women Leadership Programme is dedicated exclusively to leaders who are part of a founding team and/or in a chief position (CEOs or other C-suite managers) of companies, established at least 2 years before the call deadline. Eligible candidates have benefitted from one of the following schemes or programmes:
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SME Instrument Phase I and Phase II,
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EIC Transition,
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EIC Pathfinder,
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EIC Accelerator,
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Seal of Excellence under Horizon Europe,
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Women TechEU,
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EIC Scaling Club and
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EIT Programmes (all KICs).
We are looking forward to welcoming you into our community of women innovators and providing you with the programme services taking your business career into the next level.
Need help?
For technical support, please contact the WLP team via hello@eicwlp.com or visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
What do our alumni say about EIC WLP?
It has been an inspiring journey, filled with insightful presentations by true experts in their field. I had the privilege to connect with and learn from remarkable WOMEN researchers and leaders, whose experiences and wisdom have left a lasting impact on me.
- Eva Szemes, CFO and Project manager at Lynxes Innovation Ltd.
This program has been an incredible journey of learning, growth and connection. Here are the lectures I found most valuable: growth strategies with Laurence Bret-Stern, strategic leadership by Rebecca Hill, storytelling by Rebecca Williams, inspiring story with Sophie Bolzer, negotiation by Guillermo Sánchez Prieto Ph D ✪ …and many other incredible sessions.
- Adi Paz, Founder and CEO at OnTime
Additional Information about the EIC Women Leadership Programme
Involvement of women in advanced technology sectors is crucial not only for equitable representation but also to fully harness Europe’s capabilities in science and business. The EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS) amplify the impact of EIC investments. With the EIC Women Leadership Program, the EIC aims to level the playing field in scalable businesses and mindsets by unlocking potential and breaking down barriers to success. Established as a pilot in 2021, the WLP has so far provided skills enhancement and networking support to 7 cohorts of more than 250 female researchers and entrepreneurs from the EIC Community and beyond. Besides dedicated trainings, the programme features individual coaching, mentoring and pitching activities as well as different outreach initiatives to raise awareness and showcase women researchers and entrepreneurs as role models.
