⚠ Summarised by AI based on an external source. Last updated: 30 Mar 2026. Starthubs is not liable for any inaccuracies. Always consult the official challenge information.
Open Horizons is launching its third and final open call — and it is the last chance to apply for up to €55,000 in equity-free funding and a direct pilot collaboration with a major European corporate. This programme is exclusively for women-led digital and deep-tech startups at an early stage. Selected startups enter a structured 6-month programme: first a 1-month inception phase to co-design a pilot with your corporate match (€10,000), then up to 5 months of full pilot implementation (up to €45,000), culminating in a Demo Day with investor and corporate exposure. The deadline is 19 May 2026.
What is Open Horizons looking for?
The call seeks bold early-stage startups solving real corporate challenges with deeptech or digital innovation. Applicants must select one of the published industry challenges for Open Call #3 and clearly explain how their solution responds to it — full delivery is not required, but the contribution must be concrete and relevant. Eligible technology categories include AI, advanced computing, robotics, advanced materials, clean technologies, industrial biotech (deeptech), as well as SaaS, fintech, edtech, digital health, enterprise software and marketplaces (digital). Service-oriented or consultancy-based companies without a scalable, technology-core product are explicitly out of scope. The full list of corporate challenges is available in the Guidelines for Applicants on the official Open Horizons website.
Who is this for?
Women-led startups that meet all of the following conditions: legally established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country (including the Netherlands); registered between 6 months and 6 years ago at the time of application; fewer than 250 employees with annual turnover below €50 million; maximum €1 million in equity raised; and at least one woman as a founder currently holding a C-level role (CEO, CTO, CSO or equivalent) with at least 25% company ownership. All three women-leadership conditions are mandatory. Startups not meeting any criterion by even a single day will be automatically rejected.
What's in it for you?
- €10,000 equity-free funding for the inception phase (1 month) · business model canvas, pilot planning and corporate co-design
- Up to €45,000 for the piloting phase (5 months) · paid in three instalments based on KPI milestones and final review
- Direct collaboration with a matched European corporate partner
- Advanced training and coaching from INNOVX on business model design, growth and investment readiness
- EU-wide visibility and investor exposure through a final Demo Day
- Follow-on phase with corporate venture capital engagement and commercial opportunity exploration