As global investment accelerates in climate and sustainability technologies, Cyprus is stepping forward to support a powerful but underrepresented force in the innovation economy: women founders. The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced a major funding opportunity for women led deep tech startups, giving entrepreneurs in GreenTech, AgriTech and ClimateTech a clearer path to scale their ideas across Europe.
A Horizon Europe Initiative Supporting Women Founders
The funding call is part of WE RISE, a Horizon Europe backed programme designed to empower women led startups developing transformative solutions with environmental impact. The initiative aims to bridge long standing gaps in funding access for female innovators and strengthen Europe’s competitive position in green and climate technologies.
WE RISE Open Call 2 focuses on selecting and supporting twenty women led deep tech startups from EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries. The programme places particular emphasis on regions categorised as moderate and emerging innovators, a group that includes Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Spain.
The application window opened on December 4, 2025 and runs until February 12, 2026, offering a structured and well funded opportunity for early stage companies to accelerate their growth.
A €600,000 Budget to Strengthen European Green Innovation
The call allocates a total of six hundred thousand euro to support startups working on advanced technologies with measurable sustainability impact. This funding is divided across two phases designed to help founders refine their strategy, strengthen their business foundations and accelerate product development.
The programme supports companies building deep tech with strong growth potential in climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, clean energy, circularity and other high impact green verticals.
Phase One: Nurture and Strategy Development
The first stage, known as the Nurture Phase, lasts three months and is centred on strategic planning and empowerment. Each of the selected twenty startups receives a five thousand euro grant to support participation in tailored workshops, investor sessions and structured training programmes.
Startups in this phase benefit from business coaching and expert guidance to develop a Strategic Action Plan. This plan forms the foundation for their future acceleration and market expansion.
The Nurture Phase is designed to help founders refine their direction, validate their model and build stronger investor readiness before moving into full acceleration.
Phase Two: Accelerate and Scale
After completing the initial stage, up to ten startups will be selected for the Bloom Phase, a higher intensity acceleration programme. Each of these companies will receive a fifty thousand euro grant to fuel product development, validate commercial opportunities and expand their market presence.
Funding at this stage supports critical activities such as advancing prototypes, entering new markets, building pilot deployments and hiring specialised technical or commercial talent.
Eligibility Requirements Designed to Support High Potential Deep Tech
To apply, startups must be women led, with a woman holding a key leadership role such as chief executive officer, chief technology officer or chief science officer. Applicants must be operating in GreenTech, AgriTech or ClimateTech and must be developing advanced, high impact technologies.
Startups must also have been legally established in an EU Member State or an associated country before January 1, 2025. Preference is given to companies based in countries identified as moderate or emerging innovators, which includes Cyprus.
Applicants must meet at least one transversal requirement such as demonstrating product market fit or having secured at least three hundred thousand euro in prior funding.
A Clear Path for Startups Ready to Join the WE RISE Programme
Eligible startups must create a profile on the EuroQuity platform and join the WE RISE Greenhouse Community to begin the process. Applications must be submitted in English before the final deadline at 17:00 CET on February 12, 2026.
With its structured funding pathway and targeted support for women innovators, the WE RISE programme represents a significant opportunity for Cyprus and the wider European community to strengthen female leadership in deep tech and accelerate progress toward a greener, more resilient future.