Européen
OPEN HORIZONS OC#2
The overarching goal of Open Call #2 (OC#2) is to support the development and enhance the investment potential of these startups, helping them scale their solutions and create long-term impact within the deep-tech ecosystem.
Type of projects to be funded: The call focuses on women-led, digital and deep-tech startups, particularly those at the early stages of their lifecycle. These projects should aim to deliver innovative solutions and develop scalable business models, addressing one of the 17 identified corporate challenges:
1. Quantum-Accelerated Resolution of Linear Maxwell Equations for Electromagnetic Field Simulation
2. Automation of Complex Painting Processes through Smart Robotics
3. Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Reducing Carbon Emissions in Refinery Operations
4. IoT-Driven Asset Integrity and Predictive Maintenance
5. Cybersecurity for Critical OT/IoT Systems
6. Water Management, Digital Monitoring, and Reporting
7. Advanced Wastewater Recovery for Circular and Resilient Industrial Water Use
8. AI-Powered Defect Detection for Aluminum Profile Painting Lines
9. High-Temperature-Resistant Smart Tagging for Traceability and Sustainability of Aluminum Profiles
10. Comparative Tool for Renewable Thermal Solutions, Based on Hourly Demand Profiles
11. Smart Window Nano-Device for Predictive Maintenance and Sustainability Monitoring
12. AI-Powered Food Waste Reduction System
13. Smart Energy and Resource Management for Retail Environments
14. Building Tomorrow –Low-Carbon & Circular Construction Solutions
15. Miniaturization of Chemical Reactions for High-Throughput Testing
16. Circular Biosurfactants –Sustainable Additives for Industrial Lubrication
17. Production of Biographitefor Batteries from Renewable Sources
More information on the challenges in the Guide for Applicants: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/14clgax0u1j8ppsnqtnnx/Open-Horizons-OC-2-Guidelines-for-applicants.pdf?rlkey=9nvp9djdmdwv56dl50bbfrdbj&e=1&st=on54z9kd&dl=0
Deeptech: advanced computing, artificial intelligence (AI), life sciences, advanced manufacturing, energy and clean technologies, new materials, cybersecurity, robotics, and nanotechnology
The Open Horizons programme is structured into two main stages with a total duration of 6 months: the Inception Stage (1 month) and the Piloting Stage (5 months). A total of €440,000, and up to €55,000 per selected startup will be disbursed in the form of equity-free grants across both phases, based on performance and engagement with the assigned corporate partner. Only 6 of the selected startups (up to 17) will advance from the Inception Stage to the Piloting Stage.
Following the completion of the pilot, startups enter a crucial phase focused on scaling their solutions and unlocking further commercial and investment opportunities, designed to strengthen the startup’s visibility and position within the market:
• Corporate Venture Capital Engagement
• Commercial Opportunity Exploration
• Joint Ventures Approach (where applicable)
To be eligible, startups must:
– Be based in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe-associated country,
– Operate in deep tech or digital innovation,
– Be led by at least one woman in a key executive role (CEO, CTO or Founder) with a minimum 25% ownership,
– Be in inception or early-growth stage,
– Propose a solution to one of 17 challenges submitted by corporate partners.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) –Consideration will be given to how the applicant plans to manage intellectual property related to the innovation, including existing protections (e.g., patents, copyrights), open-source strategies, or plans for future registrations (e.g., utility models).

