The European Innovation Council (EIC) officially launched the 2026 edition of the EIC Women Leadership Programme during a kick-off event held in Brussels on 2 June 2026, just ahead of the EIC Summit. Bringing together female researchers, entrepreneurs, founders, and innovators from across Europe, the programme marks the beginning of a transformative leadership journey designed to strengthen participants' confidence, leadership capabilities, strategic decision-making, and entrepreneurial skills. Through personalised mentoring, business coaching, expert-led masterclasses, and networking opportunities, participants will gain the tools, support, and connections needed to accelerate their professional growth and maximise their impact within Europe's innovation ecosystem. The kick-off meeting also welcomed alumnae from previous editions of the programme, who joined the afternoon sessions to share their experiences, lessons learned, and leadership journeys. Their participation provided valuable inspiration for the new cohort and created opportunities for meaningful exchanges during the networking activities that followed.
Building a community of future women leaders
The kick-off meeting was officially opened by Momchil Sabev, Director of EISMEA, who welcomed the new cohorts of 63 women innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and leaders from across Europe. In his opening remarks, he highlighted the ambition, curiosity, and commitment to growth demonstrated by the participants, emphasising the critical role women play in shaping Europe's innovation future.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the European Innovation Council to supporting women leaders through mentoring, coaching, networking, and leadership development opportunities that help unlock their full potential and increase their impact across the European innovation ecosystem.
The day began with interactive icebreaking activities designed to foster meaningful connections between participants from different countries, sectors, and innovation fields. From the very start, the focus was on creating a supportive and collaborative environment where women could openly exchange experiences, challenges, and aspirations while building relationships that will continue throughout the programme.
Participants were introduced to the programme journey and the opportunities ahead, including personalised mentoring, business coaching, leadership masterclasses, networking events, and access to investors and ecosystem stakeholders.
The programme features two dedicated learning tracks — one for researchers and one for entrepreneurs. Each cohort will follow its own series of masterclasses tailored to its specific needs and challenges, covering topics such as leadership, executive presence, strategic decision-making, fundraising, business growth, commercialisation, negotiation, visibility, and ecosystem engagement.
Leadership starts with self-leadership
One of the central themes of the day was self-leadership. Through an interactive workshop on confidence building and decision-making, participants explored how leadership often begins with understanding and managing oneself.
The session challenged common assumptions about confidence, highlighting that confidence is often less about capability and more about focus. Through reflection and peer discussions, participants explored how shifting attention from limitations to strengths can improve decision-making, increase resilience, and support personal growth.
Another key insight was that leadership requires action. Participants reflected on the idea that avoiding a decision is itself a decision and explored how effective leaders navigate uncertainty while staying aligned with their values, goals, and vision.
Learning leadership journeys
Throughout the day, participants heard personal stories and lessons learned from experienced women leaders, entrepreneurs, and programme alumnae.
During a fireside chat, Veronika Oudova, EIC Ambassador, EIC Women Leadership Programme Alumna, and Co-founder and former CEO of S-Biomedic, shared her leadership journey, reflecting on the challenges, decisions, and lessons that shaped her path as an entrepreneur and leader.
Participants also had the opportunity to learn from programme alumnae Fanny Giannou, Founder and CEO of Alithea Biotechnology, and Laurie Calvet, Research Scientist at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). They shared their experiences of participating in the EIC Women Leadership Programme and reflected on how mentoring, coaching, networking, and peer support contributed to their personal and professional growth.
Through these conversations, participants explored topics such as goal setting, overcoming challenges, leadership development, and building successful innovation-driven careers. The stories shared offered practical insights, inspiration, and reassurance that leadership is a continuous journey of learning, adaptation, and growth.
The experiences of the alumnae highlighted the long-term value of investing in leadership development and demonstrated the power of community, mentorship, and peer support in helping women increase their confidence, expand their networks, and maximise their impact within the European innovation ecosystem.
Developing authority, presence and impact
The afternoon focused on three essential dimensions of leadership: authority, presence, and impact.
Through a highly interactive workshop, participants reflected on their leadership styles, strengths, and opportunities for growth. They explored how expertise and credibility create authority, how authentic connection creates presence, and how leaders can increase their ability to influence, inspire, and drive meaningful change.
Working together in small groups, participants shared experiences, challenged assumptions, and identified behaviours they wanted to strengthen, unlearn, or develop further as part of their leadership journey.
Looking ahead
The kick-off meeting marked the beginning of an exciting journey for the 2026 entrepreneurial and research cohort.
Over the coming months, participants will engage in one-to-one mentoring and coaching, attend specialised leadership masterclasses, participate in networking activities, and gain access to a vibrant community of women innovators and leaders from across Europe.
More importantly, they will become part of a growing network of researchers, entrepreneurs, founders, and changemakers who are shaping the future of European innovation.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
About the EIC Women Leadership Programme
Through the EIC Women Leadership Programme, the European Innovation Council aims to level the playing field by unlocking potential and breaking down barriers to success. Established as a pilot in 2021, the initiative has since provided skills enhancement and networking support to nine cohorts and more than 400 female researchers and entrepreneurs from the EIC Community and beyond. Participants benefit from business coaching, personal mentoring, trainings and networking activities that not only build entrepreneurial and leadership skills, but also shine a spotlight on women researchers and entrepreneurs as role models.
If you have any questions, please contact us through the EIC Community’s contact page by choosing the 'EIC Women Leadership Programme' category.
Stay up to date!
The EIC Women Leadership Programme is an initiative of the EIC Business Acceleration Services.
If you are interested in joining a future edition, we invite you to express your interest for the 2027 cohorts by completing this form.
Be the first to receive the latest updates on open calls for applications, inspiring success stories, exclusive interviews, partner opportunities, and other engaging news from the EIC Business Acceleration Services with the EIC BAS Newsletter and and Open Calls Digest: subscribe now.
