UPTEC in one-million-euro European project to support women entrepreneurs

UPTEC – Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto is one of the participating entities in the HER FUND project, which will receive funding of around 1 million euros from the European Union over the next two years (2024-2026).

The HER FUND project aims to support the next generation of startups led by women and make investors aware of the importance of promoting greater diversity in funding criteria. In 2023, only 2% of companies founded by women were able to obtain funding (Forbes data).

In addition to boosting female entrepreneurship, one of HER FUND’s main objectives is to create links between the innovation ecosystems of different European Union countries, improving access to capital in less connected innovation ecosystems and attracting foreign investment to startups in these regions.

HER FUND is being developed under the Horizon Europe program and involves nine partners from seven countries (Portugal, Bulgaria, Denmark, Slovakia, France, Ireland and Greece).

In the project's initial phase, UPTEC was responsible for conducting a comprehensive analysis of the female entrepreneurship landscape in Europe, examining the differences between well-connected and less well-connected innovation ecosystems, identifying good practices and offering recommendations for promoting gender equality across the European entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Following this analysis, HER FUND will develop capacity-building programs aimed at women entrepreneurs and investors, taking into account their needs and the challenges faced in different European innovation ecosystems.

HER FUND Project: Training Programmes for Startups and Investors

The Training for Startups is structured to equip female startup founders with the skills needed to succeed in technological and innovation-oriented sectors. In this pilot phase, the program is aimed at around 10 startups led by women from different European ecosystems, with the participation of experts from the sector.

The Training for Investors is designed to provide venture capitalists and business angels with tools to support women-led startups and raise awareness of gender equity and equality in investment.

Applications for the first edition of both programs are open until December 15 and can be made via this link. Applications not selected for the current pilot phase will be placed on a reserve list for the final program, which will run throughout 2025.