The group of winning startups was composed by AgroGrIN Tech (Barcelos), NeuroSoV (Covilhã), Fetalix (Porto), expressTEC (Faro), Ablute (Viana do Castelo), GreenH2Wave (Amadora) and Nitrogen Sensing Solutions (Caldas da Rainha). The seven companies made the country have a success rate above the European average (29%), with half (50%) of the submitted applications approved.

Each of the winners will receive a grant of 75 thousand euros, as well as mentoring and coaching through the Women Leadership Program, promoted by the European Innovation Council, and networking opportunities throughout the European Union, as stipulated in the program to promote female entrepreneurship in technology.

Within the technology segment, the healthtech and biotech sector was undoubtedly the most represented, with more than half of the winners (AgroGrIN Tech, NeuroSoV, Fetalix, expressTEC and Ablute). There was also room to award a female entrepreneur from the energy sector and another from the agri-food industry.

What do these seven companies do?

AgroGrIN Tech - Producing sustainable, additive-free ingredients through patented green chemistry technology, reusing fruit and vegetable waste

NeuroSoV - Developing a drug to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease

Fetalix - Treatment of low back pain through the use of regenerative biomaterials

ExpressTEC - Innovative diagnostic test to detect breast cancer

Ablute - Urine testing device integrated into a water-efficient toilet to detect diseases early

GreenH2Wave - Wave energy converter that acts as a "floating fuel station" for ships in the middle of the ocean, producing its own clean fuel

Nitrogen Sensing Solutions - Digital solution for improved water monitoring in recirculating aquaculture systems and biosensors

Women TechEU, integrated in Horizon Europe, is followed by ANI through the PERIN - Portugal in Europe Research and Innovation Network. In total, 134 deep tech companies led by women were contemplated.