EPIC-X

EPIC-X aims to empower and support women-led start-ups in the deep technology sector in 16 ‘moderate’ and ‘emerging’ innovator countries in the EU. ​


EPIC-X is a project supported under the HORIZON-CSA program and is implemented by a 13-member consortium led by INOVA+ from Portugal. EPIC-X aims to empower and support women-led start-ups in the deep technology sector in 16 ‘moderate’ and ‘emerging’ innovator countries in the EU.

Objectives

Through strategic partnerships, capacity-building initiatives, and targeted support, the EPIC-X consortium aims to contribute to addressing the regional divide and the underrepresentation of women in deep tech and start-up ecosystems. With a wealth of experience, the consortium comprising 13 entities aimed at amplifying the impact of the EPIC-X.

The acceleration programme will run for 6 months starting from February 2026! ​Through an Open Call for proposals, EPIC-X will offer financial support through grants to selected start-ups. ​20 deep tech women-led start-ups selected + acceleration programme!Each chosen start-up will receive a € 40,000 grant to enhance market readiness and expand market coverage.​Selected start-ups will benefit from financial support of €20,000 for mentoring purposes.​

The Open Call will attract applications from women-led start-ups across the 16 moderate and emerging innovators, covering at least SI, PT, HU, SK, RO, CZ, PL, IT, and LT. ​

ROLE of SAPIE

SAPIE is one of the 16 Ecosystem builders in the EPIC-X project which will co-create a joint acceleration+ program and a cooperation scheme with cross-fertilization opportunities both for the start-ups and the ecosystem builders, to harness the full potential of local-placed deep tech innovations and offer tailored support to women-led start-ups.

Our task will be to reach out to Slovak start-ups led by women to participate in the planned call for an acceleration program. Next, 1 Slovak start-up will be selected, which will receive support in the total value of EUR 60,000.

Soon, a separate website of the epic-x.eu project will be ready, where will be published news for you regulary.