WE-RISE

Are you developing innovative technologies to measure and monitor soil health? 🌱 The TRAILS4SOIL project has launched an Open Call for Soil MRV (Measurement, Reporting & Verification) providers, inviting innovative companies to test their solutions in real farming conditions across Europe. Selected providers will collaborate with farmers and researchers while helping assess the impact of regenerative and conservation agriculture on soil health. What's in it for you? ☘️ Up to €50,000 per technology (up to €200,000 per provider) ☘️ Pilot your solution across 100 farms in five European Living Labs ☘️ Collaborate directly with researchers and farmers ☘️ Refine your technology through real-world testing and user feedback If you're building the next generation of AgriTech solutions, this is a great opportunity to validate your technology, strengthen partnerships and contribute to more sustainable agriculture. 🌾 🔗 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/euAQTmiu

The conversations don't end when the panels do 🚀 After joining us for "Behind Every Start-up Success Story: How Ecosystems Shape Growth, Scale and Impact", continue the evening at the EPIC-X Founders Showcase & Networking Cocktail. On 16 September, meet 20 women-led DeepTech start-ups from across Europe as they pitch their ventures to investors, corporates and innovation leaders before the evening transitions into a networking cocktail designed to spark new conversations, partnerships and opportunities. Whether you're an investor, ecosystem builder, corporate representative or founder, this is your chance to connect directly with some of Europe's most promising women entrepreneurs and the people supporting their growth. 🧩 📍 Tech Park Conference Centre, Vilnius 🗓️ 16 September | 17:00–20:00 👉 Register here: https://luma.com/btt4blsr

🚀 Funding opportunity for early-stage digital startups The 28DIGITAL Co-Creation Accelerator 2026–2027 is looking for startups ready to validate and develop their technology together with industry partners. The four-month, equity-based programme offers: 🔹 Up to €250,000 in financial support, with no co-funding required 🔹 Direct collaboration with industry leaders on real business challenges 🔹 Fundraising support, expert mentoring and intensive training 🔹 Access to the wider 28DIGITAL innovation ecosystem across Europe The opportunity is open to micro and small enterprises operating at TRL 4–5 or above, incorporated in an EU, Horizon Europe or associated country, and established within the last five years. Startups can apply either with their own corporate partner and jointly defined challenge or to predefined industry challenges published by the programme. 🔗 Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/dGVXhWFz

Get to know Thermeleon – one of the startups selected for WE-RISE Open Call 2! 🌡️ Thermeleon is transforming greenhouse horticulture with the world’s first passive Heat Battery, helping growers reduce energy use while creating more stable conditions for crops. Using innovative Phase Change Materials (PCM), the system stores excess solar heat during the day and releases it at night, reducing heating demand by 15–30% without consuming electricity or placing additional strain on the power grid. The technology also improves greenhouse climate, reducing crop stress while lowering CO₂ emissions and fossil energy use. Already successfully deployed in a commercial greenhouse and expanding to additional growers, Thermeleon is making greenhouse cultivation more sustainable, resilient, and cost-effective. We're proud to support Thermeleon through the WE-RISE programme as it scales its breakthrough technology for a more sustainable and resilient future of greenhouse farming. 👉 Learn more about Thermeleon: https://lnkd.in/dTrYhbyJ

What does it take to create more startup success stories in Europe? 🚀 The answer goes far beyond individual founders. It lies in the strength of the ecosystems that help innovative companies grow, scale and succeed. On 16 September, WE-RISE is joining forces with our sister projects INNOVATE-EU and EPIC-X to host "Behind Every Start-up Success Story: How Ecosystems Shape Growth, Scale and Impact" - an official side event of Startup Fair 2026 in Vilnius, Lithuania. 💬 The discussion will focus on: • How ecosystems can better support startup scaling • What founders really need from investors and support organisations • Which interventions deliver the greatest impact • How collaboration can strengthen Europe's innovation competitiveness • Lessons from successful startup support initiatives across Europe 📅 16 September 2026 📌Tech Park, Vilnius, Lithuania 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/d4kMgDFs On 17 September, we also invite you to meet WE-RISE startups at Startup Fair 2026, where they will pitch their solutions and showcase the innovative ideas emerging from the programme.

Recently, WE-RISE brought together women founders participating in the WE-RISE programme for two roundtable discussions to openly share the challenges, lessons and opportunities shaping their entrepreneurial journeys. 🙌 The conversations created space for honest exchange - from the realities of fundraising and building resilience to scaling teams, finding the right support networks and navigating the unique timelines of DeepTech. While every founder’s path is different, several shared themes emerged again and again. Beyond individual experiences, the roundtables also highlighted the importance of peer learning and trusted communities, where founders can speak openly, exchange practical advice and feel supported by others facing similar challenges. Here are some of the key insights that stood out. 👇

Discover S.Lab – one of the startups selected for WE-RISE Open Call 2! 🌱📦 S.Lab is rethinking sustainable packaging by transforming agricultural waste and mushroom mycelium into a fully biodegradable alternative to conventional foamed plastic. Its innovative material delivers the durability, thermal insulation, and water resistance businesses expect, while naturally decomposing in soil within just 30 days. Through a patented and highly automated production process, S.Lab enables scalable manufacturing of eco-friendly packaging, either at industrial facilities or through compact local production units. By reducing waste, emissions, and transportation needs, S.Lab is helping make sustainable packaging a practical and accessible solution for companies looking to accelerate their transition to a circular economy. 👉 Learn more about S.Lab: https://s-lab.bio/

Meet Woodlight – one of the startups selected for WE-RISE Open Call 2! ✨ Woodlight is pioneering a new approach to sustainable innovation by developing bioluminescent plants capable of producing their own light while responding to environmental conditions in real time. Combining advances in plant science and deep technology, the startup is creating living systems that can support smarter environmental monitoring, improve resource efficiency, and contribute to more resilient ecosystems. As Woodlight moves from laboratory validation toward real-world deployment, its technology has the potential to transform how we interact with and learn from the natural world. We’re excited to support Woodlight through the WE-RISE programme and follow their journey as they bring nature-inspired innovation into everyday applications. 👉 Learn more about Woodlight: https://www.woodlight.fr/

Get to know UniSCool – one of the startups selected for WE-RISE Open Call 2! ❄️ UniSCool is developing advanced liquid cooling technologies that help tackle one of the biggest challenges in modern computing: managing the heat generated by high-performance electronics, AI systems, and data centres. Its patented direct-to-chip cooling solutions improve thermal efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and enhance system performance, enabling more sustainable and reliable computing infrastructure. Born as a university spin-off, UniSCool has already validated its technology with leading players in data centres, semiconductors, and power electronics, while earning international recognition for its innovation. We’re excited to support UniSCool through the WE-RISE programme and follow their journey as they help shape the future of energy-efficient computing. 👉 Learn more about UniSCool: https://uniscool.tech/

Discover THE 8 IMPACT– one of the startups selected for WE-RISE Open Call 2!♻️ THE 8 IMPACT is developing the next generation of circular materials for the footwear industry, transforming end-of-life sports shoes and tennis balls into high-performance rubber compounds for new outsoles. Using a patented mechanical recycling process, the company creates production-ready materials that deliver the same mechanical performance as virgin alternatives while significantly reducing environmental impact. Compatible with standard footwear manufacturing processes, THE 8 IMPACT technology enables brands to integrate recycled materials into their products without compromising on quality, durability, or design. We’re delighted to support THE 8 IMPACT through the WE-RISE programme and follow their journey as they help drive a more circular future for the footwear industry. 👉 Learn more about THE 8 IMPACT: https://lnkd.in/dTAjhB6A