EUR 100,000 Grants for Women-Founded Startups in Romania in 2026
Prosus Found-HER Challenge Romania is an initiative dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs at the start-up stage.
Todos & Company editorial team · EU funding consultancy since 2006
The premise of the Prosus Found-HER Challenge Romania programme
The Prosus Found-HER Challenge Romania is an initiative dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs at the startup stage. The programme offers grants totalling 100,000 EUR for early-stage projects registered and run by women founders. This funding aims to give a direct boost to the female entrepreneurial ecosystem, a segment that has become increasingly relevant in the local and regional economy but which still frequently faces barriers to accessing capital.
Who the eligible beneficiaries are and which startups can apply
The programme is aimed exclusively at Romanian startups run by women entrepreneurs who are just starting out. Beneficiaries must be founders or co-founders, and the companies must be registered in Romania, with a clearly defined activity and a small team that is actively committed to developing the project. Startups are recommended to be innovative, to have a scalable product or service and to have growth potential on local or international markets.
The basic idea is to support women who do not have easy access to bank financing or investors and who can create real value through technological, economic or social solutions. The criteria also require a well-structured business plan and concrete development objectives for the coming period.
Documents and application procedure
Applications are made exclusively online, on the dedicated Prosus Found-HER Challenge platform, where each participant is asked to upload a minimum set of documents: the company's registration certificate, the business plan or a pitch deck, proof of the team's composition and a CV of the founder or founders. In some cases, the organisers may request further details on the stage of development of the product or service and on any elements that support the startup's scalability and impact.
Applicants are advised to prepare a clearly defined project with measurable short- and medium-term objectives, and to be ready for possible interviews or demos.
The importance and impact of the programme on the female entrepreneurial ecosystem
The transition to a gender-equitable economy is supported by concrete opportunities such as this funding. In Romania, women entrepreneurs represent a segment whose potential has not yet been fully tapped, and access to capital is one of the most important limiting factors. The grants from the Prosus Found-HER Challenge can ease this problem by providing non-refundable capital and mentoring support at the same time.
The funded startups can help diversify the economy by facilitating the development of innovative products and services with social and economic impact. Moreover, by supporting women entrepreneurs, the programme promotes a culture of inclusion and equality in the business environment, which could have lasting positive effects on the Romanian ecosystem.
How entrepreneurs can prepare for the application and what to watch out for
Every entrepreneur who wishes to take part in the Prosus Found-HER Challenge should approach the application process methodically. It is essential to understand the importance of complete, accurate and well-argued documentation. Ideally, you should prepare a clear presentation of the value your startup brings, describing the market need it meets, its competitive advantage and your expansion plans.
You should also pay attention to the technical details of the application, meet the deadlines and anticipate the questions that may arise during the selection process. We recommend seeking specialist consultancy support for drafting the business plan or pitch deck, so as to maximise your chances of success.
Last but not least, you should prepare for the networking and possibly mentoring opportunities that the programme may offer, as these contribute decisively to accelerating the startup's growth in the coming years.
The Prosus Found-HER Challenge Romania is not just a source of funding, but also a platform offering visibility, know-how and an active community of women entrepreneurs. Rigorous preparation and a strategic approach to this initiative can significantly transform the growth prospects of a company founded or led by a woman in Romania.
Want to find out what non-refundable funding you can access?
The Todos Company team helps you with the whole process: from checking eligibility and calculating your score, to preparing the application file and submitting the project.
