The entrepreneurial and investment landscapes have long been dominated by gender imbalances, with women significantly underrepresented in both fields. Data shows that only 15% of tech startups are founded by women, who also receive less funding—just 2% for all-female and 5% for mixed teams.
Recognising this disparity, EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing, and EIT Urban Mobility have joined forces to launch the SUPERNOVAS programme, a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower women by fostering their development within the entrepreneurial and investment ecosystems. It seeks to attract, support, and connect women from the STEAM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics), alongside women investors, creating a robust community where participants can thrive and make significant contributions to their sectors.
The programme encompasses various activities, each tailored to meet the unique needs of women at different stages of their entrepreneurial or investment journey:
Women Investment Network (WIN)
Supernovas WIN helps female investors access and grow in the ecosystem, providing access to the best female-led deal flow through its Investment Academy, Investment Forums, and Networking events. Specifically designed for those at various stages of their investment career, it caters to:
- Junior or Early-Career Female Professionals in Venture Capital
- Aspiring or Established Female Business Angels
- Female CEOs, Founders, or Team Members of Female-Led Startups
This initiative aims to create a supportive community for female professionals across the investment spectrum, fostering professional growth, facilitating meaningful connections, and advocating for increased women’s presence in the entrepreneurial and investment landscapes, ultimately driving towards a more gender-balanced and effective investment ecosystem.
Rocket Up
The Rocket Up project supports top women-led technological startups aiming for successful international expansion within Europe. Tailored for startups in growth stages within the Mobility, Food, or Manufacturing industries, the programme offers a unique blend of workshops, peer learning, and expert guidance to navigate the complexities of international markets. It provides the tools and connections for women leaders to scale their innovations successfully across Europe.
The program’s operations are primarily conducted online, including lessons, speaker sessions, group discussions, and one-on-one mentoring. The highlight event of the program, known as “Demo Day,” where participants present their international expansion strategies is an in-person event. This year it’s scheduled for November 19th, 2024, in Helsinki and will be part of the InnovEIT Women Entrepreneurship event.
Women2Invest
Women2Invest focuses on training recent STEAM graduates in the fundamentals of venture investment, facilitating their entry into the industry through internships or full-time positions. This initiative particularly focuses on attracting venture capital firms interested in incorporating STEAM women into their work structures.
This program includes a training phase focused on the essentials of venture investment, followed by a matchmaking process that aligns participants with relevant funds for paid internships, effectively bridging the gap between emerging female talent in STEAM and the venture capital industry’s need for diversity and innovation.
Data Room
The Supernovas Data Room is a dedicated platform for collecting and analysing up-to-date data on female-led startups. It provides vital insights into their operations, financials, market positions, and investment opportunities.
This platform serves as a valuable resource for investors, journalists, and other stakeholders, offering searchable profiles containing details on funding rounds, job openings, and sector-specific innovations. Moreover, this tool promotes the visibility of female-led startups within the ecosystem, connecting them with potential partners and stakeholders interested in fostering diversity and innovation in the entrepreneurial landscape.
Women Leadership Programme
The Women Leadership Programme is tailored to support, inspire, and empower female entrepreneurs through bespoke training, networking opportunities, and individual coaching to enhance their leadership skills and career progression. Open to female researchers and entrepreneurs within the EIT Community and European Innovation Council (EIC), the programme offers both virtual and in-person sessions led by seasoned trainers and mentors.
The Supernovas programme represents a significant step towards reducing the gender gap in the entrepreneurial and investment ecosystems. By providing targeted support and opportunities for women in these sectors, the initiative not only promotes diversity but also enhances the overall innovation and competitiveness of Europe’s economy.
For more information on the SUPERNOVAS programme and to register for its components, please visit the SUPERNOVAS website at https://supernovas.eitcommunity.eu/.
