EIC Women Leadership Programme
EITThe European Innovation Council (EIC), in partnership with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), offers a skills enhancement and networking programme for women researchers and entrepreneurs, the EIC Women Leadership Programme.
The programme is open to women researchers, aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs from the EIC and EIT Communities. Each cohort consists of both virtual and in-person training sessions, led by high-profile experienced trainers who challenge participants’ leadership approaches with inspiring case studies and use participatory approaches to encourage active engagement. Participants benefit from individual coaching and personal mentoring. Through dedicated networking events, they also engage with peers and inspiring role models.
Who is eligible to participate?
The EIC Women Leadership Programme offers recurring cohorts aimed at participants from both EIC and EIT beneficiary groups:
- Advanced entrepreneurial cohort: Experienced women leaders (co-founders and/or in c-suite positions) seeking to enhance their skills and broaden their professional connections.
- Researcher cohort: Women researchers engaged in research endeavours with ambitions to spearhead the transformation of their research initiatives into successful businesses seeking to enhance their leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
The 8th EIC WLP cohort, starting in March 2025, is specifically designed for women leaders who are part of a founding team and/or in a chief position (CEO or other C-suite Manager) of companies established at least 2 years before the call deadline.
What does the programme offer?
Participants will benefit from a tailored programme following a needs assessment, including specific training sessions with interactive exercises and discussions, networking events, personalised mentorship, and business-coaching schemes:
Trainings
Participants have access to training sessions on topics such as negotiation, pitching, leadership styles, marketing, and public speaking, that address the participants’ needs. The trainings take place during business days in the mornings, once a week, with a duration of 2 hours each. Sessions are led by experts from various industries and are designed to be interactive, offering hands-on exercises and case studies to help participants put their leadership skills into practice.
Networking
Dedicated networking events take place throughout the programme to increase the participants’ network and heighten their visibility with key stakeholders in the European innovation ecosystem. During the training sessions, keynote speakers provide testimonials and facilitate networking moments. WLP fosters and promotes the exchange of experiences between its cohort participants and provides speed-dating activities with mentors.
Personal Mentoring and Business Coaching
The mentors, ranging from experienced CEOs and investors to serial entrepreneurs, are matched with participants based on career challenges faced by the participant. Participants meet with their mentors on a regular basis to receive support on their career goals and challenges.
In addition, participants can work with an expert EIC business coach. These experts support participants with business related goals and challenges, such as identifying new business opportunities.
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