- The day allowed them to learn about European projects focused on innovation, sustainability and job placement.
- Connecting female talent with real opportunities for international collaboration.
23/05/2025, Brussels. The Finnova Foundation hosted the 20 female entrepreneurs and businesswomen from the 2025 edition of the INCIBE Emprende – Emprendedoras de Burgos Incubation Programme, organised by the European Business and Innovation Centre of Burgos (CEEI Burgos). The visit took place as part of the 3rd Networking and Good Practices Day on Female Entrepreneurship. Conceived as an immersive experience into the institutional and professional ecosystem of the European capital, the day allowed participants to explore a range of European projects linked to female entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability, and international cooperation.
The session began with a welcome speech by Eduardo Mercado, Head of IT and the Brussels office of the Foundation, who introduced Finnova’s work in promoting entrepreneurial talent in Europe. This was followed by a presentation of the Erasmus+ programme, which funds projects related to education and lifelong learning, and an overview of the PICE grants.
Considering the participants’ areas of interest, Finnova also showcased its work in initiatives focused on women’s empowerment, such as Women4Tech, Girls4Tech, and 100 WOMEN Plus. Additionally, flagship projects were introduced, such as Textil4All, which supports the training and employment of women from marginalised backgrounds in the textile and fashion industry, and Sembrando Iniciativas, which fosters female entrepreneurship and employability for vulnerable women through green and digital economy projects.
Participants also discovered cutting-edge initiatives in fields such as green urban transition (RES4CITY) and sustainable tourism (Fu-Tourism). The AL-INVEST Verde programme, which promotes sustainable growth and job creation in Latin America, was presented, as well as The 2nd Chance platform, a Finnova initiative supporting indebted companies and entrepreneurs. During the exchange session, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas with the Foundation’s technical team.
To close the event, Isidro Laso, senior official at the European Innovation Council (EIC) and expert in entrepreneurship, private investment, and innovative ecosystems in Europe, delivered a keynote address. His presentation focused on how to scale startups in the European context, covering EIC opportunities and current global challenges for entrepreneurs.
Finnova, committed to female Entrepreneurship
Once again, the Finnova Foundation reaffirms its commitment to female entrepreneurship by welcoming participants from the 2025 edition of the “INCIBE Emprende – Emprendedoras de Burgos” Incubation Programme. This programme is funded by INCIBE (National Cybersecurity Institute of Spain) and managed by CEEI Burgos. It forms part of the broader “INCIBE Emprende” initiative, which, in addition to the incubation programme, also runs a business acceleration programme focused on cybersecurity, along with a series of talks and workshops on entrepreneurship and cybersecurity.
This initiative is driven by CEEI Burgos, a non-profit association established in 1994 under the certified model of the European Commission. Its mission is to help entrepreneurs in Burgos launch their business initiatives, enhance SME competitiveness, and design and implement public-interest programmes that contribute to job creation and the modernisation of the local economic fabric.
About Finnova
Finnova is a Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship at the European level. Headquartered in Brussels, it operates through partnerships and collaborations across the EU. Finnova’s expertise in leading communication and dissemination activities for EU projects is matched by its track record in business creation and support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators, and startup competitions and awards.
About Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth, and sport. It funds projects that promote mobility, learning, and international cooperation, offering training and employment opportunities for young people and professionals across Europe.
About Women4Tech
Women4Tech is a Finnova Foundation initiative supporting innovation, disruptive projects, and public-private partnerships with a gender focus.
About TEXTIL4ALL
TEXTIL4ALL is a European project offering training and employment to disadvantaged groups, particularly women, in Madrid and Thessaloniki. Funded by SEPIE through Erasmus+, it is led by Educación, Cultura y Solidaridad, with Envolve and Finnova. It aims to promote a more sustainable textile industry and fight the negative impacts of fast fashion.
About Girls4Tech
Girls4Tech is an initiative that supports and promotes youth-focused projects to spark entrepreneurial spirit and foster innovation skills. It promotes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education for girls aged 8 to 18 through the RETOS FINNOVA TECHNOVATION GIRLS programme in collaboration with TechnovationGirls CV and Talent Growth Management.
About 100 Women Plus
100 Women Plus is a European project by Finnova, the Island Council of Fuerteventura, and the Fundadoras Association, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. Through training activities, experience sharing, and networking, it seeks to strengthen female entrepreneurship and foster international cooperation.
About Sembrando Iniciativas
Sembrando Iniciativas is a project aimed at promoting female entrepreneurship and employability among vulnerable women, whether due to gender, geographic location, limited financial resources, or education level. It focuses on green and digital economy projects—such as circular economy, renewable energy, digitalisation, and sustainable tourism—fostering synergies and partnerships for inclusive socio-economic development.
About AL-INVEST Verde
AL-INVEST Verde is an EU programme that supports sustainable growth and job creation in Latin America by promoting the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and more circular economy. Through Component 1, the programme provides funding for innovative projects led by small business associations to encourage sustainable practices in the private sector. Component 1 is led by sequa, a German non-profit organisation operating globally to strengthen the private sector.
About RES4CITY
RES4CITY aims to promote the development of sustainable renewable energy and fuel technologies in cities, driving sustainability and circular economy practices. It implements an innovative educational programme co-designed with key stakeholders to train highly qualified professionals and replicate results across different educational systems.
About FU-TOURISM
FU-TOURISM is an innovative programme that empowers tourism SMEs to thrive in the green and digital era. Through a support network across six European countries, it provides funding and guidance to 102 SME projects, helping them adopt more sustainable, resilient, and innovative practices, contributing to the European Green Deal and the Digital Single Market.