Krishna Agarwal, Professor at the Arctic University of Norway (UiT) and an EIC Transition Awardee, joined the 7th cohort of the EIC Women Leadership Programme for researchers expecting basic entrepreneurship training. She left with something much more valuable: a new perspective on women shaped by the shared experiences of other women leading innovation.
Established as a pilot in 2021, the EIC Women Leadership Programme has already supported more than 300 female researchers and entrepreneurs across eight cohorts. Designed to level the playing field in advanced technology and science-based entrepreneurship, it combines business training, mentoring, networking, and outreach. Its aim is to unlock untapped potential, expand representation, and enable more women to lead scalable businesses across Europe.
Krishna joined the programme with a clear objective: to strengthen her entrepreneurial skills as she prepares to spin out a venture from her research. What she did not expect was to leave with a transformed perspective on gender, leadership, and the collective power of women in innovation.
Scientific breakthroughs with human impact
Krishna’s work sits at the intersection of physics, medicine, and technology. At UiT, she and her team work on the development of cutting-edge optical microscopy techniques to uncover what happens inside cells at the nanoscale: processes that can reveal both disease mechanisms and healing responses.
Krisna at her "office"
Her team has already developed nine innovations, but one in particular stands out for her: Spermotile, a breakthrough solution designed to improve assisted reproductive technology (ART).
“Spermotile will change the landscape in reproductive treatment,” she explains. “One in six people worldwide are infertile, and around half of the cases are linked to male infertility. Yet most treatments are designed with a focus on women. We are addressing the demand side: how to select the best sperm for fertilisation and therefore circumvent the fertility issue. And in doing so, we hope to bring joy to many families who want to have children.”
By shifting the focus to male fertility, Spermotile challenges entrenched assumptions in reproductive medicine and promises to make treatments more efficient, less invasive, and less burdensome.
Krishna and the Spermotile team
Seeking entrepreneurial training, finding a new lens
When Krishna applied for the EIC Women Leadership Programme, her motivation was pragmatic. “I was looking for opportunities to upskill myself in entrepreneurship. We know that we will spin off with Spermotile, so I wanted training in entrepreneurial leadership.”
But what she discovered went far beyond business models and market entry strategies.
“This was the first programme I attended that was only for women. I learned so much about women’s experiences at work, which I didn’t know before, even though I am a woman myself. Talking to peers, hearing their stories, and understanding their struggles gave me an eye-opening perspective. For the first time, I realised that my reality is not the general reality. That awareness is now helping me to become a better leader.”
Born in India, Krishna grew up acutely aware of the challenges women can face, but she emphasises that her circumstances led her to live her life by choosing her own path and pouring her full energy into her work. “I never felt constrained by gender bias in my own career,” she reflects. “But through this programme I came to understand that others’ realities can be very different. That is a powerful insight for me as a leader.”
With these insights, the EIC Women Leadership Programme not only expanded Krishna’s awareness but also reshaped how she approaches leadership: “I have grown so much as a person,” she says. “I used to see the world only through my own eyes. Now, I try to understand why someone may not feel confident or perform to their potential, and how I can help them to become the best version of themselves. That shift will make me a more effective leader.”
The power of tailored coaching and mentoring
Asked about her biggest take-aways from the programme, Krishna highlights the tailored coaching and mentoring sessions: “We have learned a lot with this programme, but one of the biggest things for me was that I got to work with one mentor and one coach tailored to me,” she says, highlighting their impact on her entrepreneurial journey despite having attended many other leadership programmes.
“Both my mentor and my coach are excellent people and continue to support me after the programme. My mentor suggested entrepreneurship training programmes that give me the right exposure for the MedTech domain, which I can take online, while my coach works with me on market analysis and helps me understand all the small nuances to build our go to market strategy in a more judicious way,” she adds.
Elaborating on the programme’s training offer, she highlights the value of the sessions on work-life balance, conflict management and decision making, even for advanced entrepreneurs: “These are things that one is probably aware of, at least at the stage at which I find myself in, but to learn about them in a systematic manner and to be able to apply them immediately even during the session on the problems that are actually at the back of your mind, that is extremely helpful.”
A call to invest your time in growth
For Krishna, the EIC Women Leadership Programme was not just about leadership, but about growth in the broadest sense:
“I think this is a very unique experience. Even if you attend only for the energy of learning from your peers in such an illuminating way, it is worth it. Some may worry it is too time-consuming, but think of it as investing in your own growth, as a human being and as a woman. You will gain practical tools, fresh perspectives, and, just as importantly, lasting friendships.”
The impact, she says, goes beyond professional skills. It has offered her the chance to reflect, connect, and grow, with lessons she carries forward as she continues her journey in innovation and leadership.
About the EIC Women Leadership Programme
Supporting women innovators is integral to the EIC's strategic goals for 2021-2027, aimed at enhancing Europe’s economic competitiveness. The EIC has allocated significant resources to women-led companies, demonstrating a commitment to closing the gender gap in research and business. Initiatives like the EIC Women Leadership Programme and Women TechEU are crucial in driving deep-tech innovation and empowering women across Europe.
If you have any questions, please contact us through the EIC Community’s contact page by choosing the 'EIC Women Leadership Programme' category, or visit the frequently asked questions (FAQ).
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