Rocket Up 2025: Empowering Female-Led Startups for Global Expansion
Share
Accelerate Your Startup’s International Growth
Are you a female-led startup ready to expand into new international markets? The Rocket Up 2025 programme by the EIT Community Supernovas is here to fuel your global ambitions. This unique training and mentoring programme is designed to help innovative startups break into new European markets and scale their businesses with expert guidance and valuable connections.
Why Join Rocket Up 2025?
Rocket Up 2025 is a six-month, tailor-made programme that blends academic insights, personalized mentoring, and networking opportunities to help female-led startups succeed internationally. Participants will gain:
- Strategic Market Entry Support: Learn to identify target markets, validate opportunities, and craft an effective internationalization plan.
- Expert Mentoring: Receive personalized guidance from experienced business and regional mentors who understand your industry.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry experts, investors, and a community of female founders across Europe.
- Visibility & Access: Gain exposure through the EIT Community’s communication channels and access to further funding opportunities.
Through a combination of online lessons, individualized mentoring sessions, and in-person events, the programme ensures startups receive comprehensive support at every stage of their internationalization journey.
Join Rocket Up!
Programme Highlights
- Duration: May 20th – November 18th, 2025
- Kick-Off Event: Rotterdam (May 20th, 2025) during the Upstream Festival
- Demo Day: Helsinki (November 18th, 2025) during the Slush Conference
- Format: Hybrid (Online sessions + In-person events)
Scholarship Opportunities
- The top 10 European startups will participate for free (100% scholarship).
- Other eligible European startups will receive a 75% scholarship (€4,000 cost).
- Non-European startups are welcome but must cover the full cost (€16,000).
Who can apply?
Rocket Up 2025 is open to female-led startups that meet the following criteria:
Female Leadership
A woman founder and/or CEO must lead the company.
Incorporated After 31/12/2015
Must be a legally registered entity.
Minimum Team Size
At least 3 full-time employees (FTEs).
English Fluency
The participating female representative must be fluent in English.
Industry Focus
Startups in Manufacturing with a focus on:
- Flexible production systems
- Low environmental footprint & circular economy
- Digital & collaborative solutions
- Human-machine co-working
Exclusivity
Not participating in another EIT acceleration/scale-up programme in 2025.
Commercial Track Record (Preferred)
Ideally, startups should have a commercial track record with revenues of at least €100,000 in 2024.
This programme is tailored for ambitious startups eager to scale internationally and tackle real-world challenges through innovative solutions.
Application Process & Key Dates
- Applications Open: February 19th, 2025
- Application Deadline: March 31st, 2025 (12:00 CEST)
- Online Interviews: April 21st – April 28th, 2025
- Final Selection Announcement: April 29th, 2025
- Formal Agreements: May 6th – May 17th, 2025
Submit your application
and take the first step toward international growth