E³UDRES² Award for Female Entrepreneurship

The E³UDRES² Award of Female Entrepreneurship has the clear mission to empower women as founders, innovators, and leaders in the European startup ecosystem. Despite growing awareness, the entrepreneurial and startup landscape remains largely male-dominated. Women still face unique challenges when launching ventures, accessing funding, and being recognized for their impact. This award aims to challenge that imbalance by actively promoting visibility, opportunity, and recognition for female-driven innovation. 

By celebrating outstanding women entrepreneurs and showcasing role models from diverse backgrounds, the E³UDRES² Award for Female Entrepreneurship fosters a more inclusive and forward-thinking innovation culture. It encourages young women to step into leadership, helps build stronger support networks, and inspires the startup community to embrace diversity as a key driver of success. 
This isn’t just about equity – it’s about unleashing the full potential of Europe’s entrepreneurial talent. 

Hard Facts
Prize: 750€, 500€, 250€
Who: female students, researchers, innovators, and startup or project teams led by at least one woman
Deadline: November 20, 2025
Award Ceremony during International Week November 24, 2025, at University of Applied Science in St. Pölten

Who can apply? 
The award is open to female students, researchers, innovators, and startup or project teams led by at least one woman holding a minimum 50% ownership or leadership share. Whether you’re launching a first idea or scaling a venture – if you’re a woman driving innovation, you’re eligible. The applicant must be female.

Application process  
Submit the following in PDF format:
*) Why is your idea, solution, entrepreneurship a Driver for European Smart and Sustainable Regions (max. 1 page)
*) Business and financial plan (max. 2 pages)
*) Introduce all team members including their function (max. 1 page)
*) Tell us about your innovative business case in a short video, max. 3min, and send it to us via link, Wetransfer or similiar.
*) Deadline: 20^th November 2025, 12am (UTC)
*) Submit by email to office@eudres.eu   

Selection Criteria 
The E³UDRES² Award for Female Entrepreneurship is not just a recognition — it’s a public celebration of the outstanding achievements of women founders and innovators.
The video will be shown during International Week at University of Applied Science in St. Pölten on November 24. During the Future Skills for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a jury will decide on the winning teams on site. The judging panel will provide detailed feedback on the submissions, acknowledging strengths and innovation while also offering insights into the potential for growth and impact.
By publicly honoring these female entrepreneurs, the E³UDRES² Award for Female Entrepreneurship aims to inspire others, build strong networks, and foster a culture where women’s leadership in business and innovation is celebrated and amplified. It’s a platform that elevates voices, showcases success stories, and creates new opportunities for collaboration and funding. 

The winners of the E³UDRES² Award for Female Entrepreneurship will be honored with the following exclusive incentives: 
*) A monetary prize of 750€, 500€ and 250€ to support their entrepreneurial journey. 
*) An official certificate recognizing their outstanding achievement and commitment to innovation.
*) Extensive media exposure, including press releases and coverage across social media channels, amplifying their visibility within the startup ecosystem. 
*) The unique opportunity to present their business case to a distinguished audience at the SMARTUP Hall of Innovation in January 2026, connecting with industry leaders, investors, and peers. 

These incentives aim to celebrate the recipient’s contributions and amplify their impact within the E³UDRES², academic, and startup communities.