- Finnova is driving the creation of a sustainable, inclusive, and digital entrepreneurial ecosystem through key initiatives like Women 4 Tech, Sembrando Iniciativas, FU-TOURISM, and the Startup Europe Awards.
Brussels, 16 April 2025 – On the occasion of World Entrepreneurship Day, the Finnova Foundation reaffirms its commitment to fostering the European entrepreneurial ecosystem as a key driver to address today’s major social, environmental, and economic challenges. Since its inception, the foundation has actively promoted an entrepreneurial culture grounded in innovation, inclusion, sustainability, and female empowerment—developing transformative solutions at local, national, and European levels.
In a constantly evolving context shaped by digital and green transitions, entrepreneurship plays an increasingly vital role. To that end, Finnova drives a comprehensive strategy aimed at identifying, training, and supporting entrepreneurs and startups with the potential to generate meaningful social and economic impact. This strategy takes shape through participation and leadership in emblematic European projects, focused on key sectors such as the social economy, gender equality, digitalisation, sustainable tourism, and technological innovation.
Finnova’s commitment to entrepreneurship is reflected in its implementation of open innovation methodologies, such as the Startup Europe Awards, and the development of European-focused acceleration programmes like Startup Europe Accelerator. These tools not only help uncover high-potential disruptive ideas but also facilitate access to funding opportunities, tailored mentoring, and international networking—serving as bridges between emerging talent and European institutions, private sector actors, and other key stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
With this approach, Finnova continues working towards consolidating a resilient, fair, and sustainable model of entrepreneurship aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), actively contributing to Europe’s transformation into a greener, more equitable, and innovative society.
Women 4 Tech: Entrepreneurship with a Gender Perspective
The Women 4 Tech programme aims to empower women in the tech sector by providing access to specialised training, mentoring, and networking opportunities. This initiative seeks to close the gender gap in technology and foster women’s active participation in digital innovation and entrepreneurship.
Women 4 Tech is part of a broader ecosystem of initiatives including:
- Girls4Tech – targeting girls aged 8 to 18 to inspire early interest in tech and innovation;
- 100 Women Plus – strengthening the network of women entrepreneurs across Europe and Africa through training, experience-sharing, and international cooperation;
- WomenEquity – addressing barriers to employment for women, especially for vulnerable groups such as young women, unemployed women over 55, and migrant women.
Sembrando Iniciativas: Promoting Rural Entrepreneurship
Sembrando Iniciativas is a Finnova-led project funded by the European Union through the Next Generation EUprogramme, under the framework of the PERTE for Social and Care Economy. Its main goal is to boost female entrepreneurship and the social economy by recognising the talent of women in vulnerable situations.
Through workshops, tailored advice, and access to funding, this initiative promotes employability, social innovation, and alternative economic models focused on wellbeing over profit. It also seeks to revitalise rural economies and support sustainable development in these communities.
FU-TOURISM: Transforming Tourism Through Sustainability
The European project FU-TOURISM, co-funded with €4 million through the COSME programme, supports the transition of European tourism SMEs towards a green, digital, and inclusive economy. Through an acceleration programme, 102 SMEs from seven European countries will be selected to receive training, mentoring, and grants of up to €30,000—encouraging innovation and sustainability in the tourism sector.
Startup Europe Awards: Celebrating Entrepreneurial Innovation
The Startup Europe Awards initiative recognises and supports Europe’s most innovative startups. Promoted by the European Commission, with the backing of the European Committee of the Regions and the European Parliament, and coordinated by Finnova in collaboration with Startup Europe, this open innovation tool identifies high-potential startups tackling major challenges in fields such as sustainability, digitalisation, and social inclusion.
A key category, the Women Startup Europe Awards, promotes public-private cooperation and female leadership in entrepreneurship by providing visibility, mentorship, and funding opportunities to women-led projects aligned with the SDGs.
Ongoing Commitment to Entrepreneurship
Beyond these initiatives, Finnova continues its work in European projects that foster innovation and entrepreneurship, such as:
- RES4CITY, promoting sustainability and green economy training;
- Manufacturing 4 All, equipping young unemployed individuals with digital and entrepreneurial skills.
On World Entrepreneurship Day, the Finnova Foundation invites all actors in the entrepreneurial ecosystem to join efforts in building a more innovative, sustainable, and inclusive future for Europe.
We wish you a Happy World Entrepreneurship Day!