SCALE'HER
Boosting women-led start-ups for growth
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EUROPEAN RESEARCH EXECUTIVE AGENCY-REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
SCALE’HER aims to strengthen the growth, competitiveness, and market reach of women-led startups in strategic digital and deep-tech sectors across Europe. Its objectives address five core challenges: enhancing market access through strong partnerships and ecosystem integration; facilitating cross-border collaboration—particularly with Less Connected Innovation Ecosystems (LCIEs); connecting startups with investment and innovation procurement opportunities; prioritising support for women-led startups with demonstrated traction; and implementing impactful cross-border acceleration activities. The project promotes inclusive capacity-building, matchmaking with investors and industry players, and collaborative programmes with public and private stakeholders. SCALE’HER also advocates for supportive policy environments to address gender disparities and amplify diversity in entrepreneurship. Through targeted outreach, innovative digital tools, and community-driven initiatives, it builds a strong, pan-European support network for women-led deep-tech startups to scale and succeed across borders.
SCALE’HER is set to have a significant impact by building on the momentum of its sister project, INVEST’HER, which saw a remarkable 780% increase in LinkedIn followers within its first month—highlighting the strong demand for targeted, cross-border collaboration within Europe’s innovation ecosystems. In its early stages, SCALE’HER has already attracted the commitment of key stakeholders, including venture capitalists, the European Investment Bank, business service providers, associations, clusters, and startups, all united by a common goal to close the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. This strong early engagement signals the project’s potential to drive meaningful change. Through its comprehensive capacity-building activities, SCALE’HER will support the growth and funding readiness of women-led deep tech startups, fostering a more inclusive and diverse innovation landscape. The project is set to extend its reach and influence across Europe, creating a lasting impact by enabling women entrepreneurs to scale their ventures and lead in strategic technology sectors.