On April 3rd, 2025, Supernovas participated in an important policy and investment dialogue led by Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva at the EIC Summit. The session focused on breaking gender barriers in the venture capital (VC) sector and addressing the underrepresentation of women in investment and entrepreneurship.
The meeting brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including senior female VCs, CSSR representatives, EISMEA, and key policymakers, all working towards finding solutions to increase the participation of women in investment roles. Key speakers included Signe Ratso, Deputy Director-General of DG Research & Innovation, and Kinga Stanisławska, Founder & CEO of European Women in VC. Other notable speakers included Jenny Ruth Hrafnsdottir from Crowberry Capital, Helen McBreen of Atlantic Bridge, and Floortje Rasenberg from Borski Fund.
Celeste Reglá and Marie-Caroline Hameon from Supernovas and EIT Urban Mobility were also present as assistants, engaging with the discussions.
Key insights and proposals
Commissioner Zaharieva shared her passion for addressing the gender disparity in the entrepreneurial and investment ecosystem. She highlighted concerning statistics, including:
- Women take over half a year longer to sign the first term sheet compared to men,
- Only 4 out of 26 unicorns in the EU are women-led,
- Increasing women’s representation could boost EU GDP by 3%.
In addition, pension funds hold €3.5BN, yet only 0.01% of that flows into VC, a missed opportunity that could bridge funding gaps for scale-ups and increase Europe’s innovation and competitiveness.
The session also highlighted that women-led funds remain underfunded, managing only 9% of total VC assets, despite evidence that gender-diverse teams can boost median IRR by up to 9.3%.
Calls for action: new strategies for Europe’s venture capital landscape
Commissioner Zaharieva stressed the importance of rethinking Europe’s LP strategies, including the creation of privately managed Fund of Funds, which could help ensure dedicated allocations for balanced VC funds. This would be a crucial step towards fostering long-term economic returns.
Key proposals included:
- Breaking stereotypes and involving men in the conversation about gender equality in investment,
- Starting early, with initiatives to encourage young girls to build self-confidence and pursue careers in entrepreneurship and venture capital,
- Addressing the current funding gap, which has left women-led funds severely undercapitalised.
The Commissioner called for urgent proposals from the group and suggested that they meet regularly to continue addressing these challenges.
Supernovas’ role in bridging the gender gap in VC. What’s next.
As part of the EIT Community, Supernovas is committed to tackling the gender gap in investment and supporting women-led startups across Europe. We will continue to engage with policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs to advocate for change and create more opportunities for women in the venture capital space. Currently, we have several open calls for women entrepreneurs and investors:
- Investment Forums (for investors): An opportunity for investors to meet and engage with high-potential women-led startups across Europe. The forums are sector-specific and provide a platform for investors to explore deals and connect with promising ventures. Investors can register their interest until the day before each forum.
- Women2Invest: A programme designed for women with a STEAM background who are interested in entering the world of venture capital. The application deadline is mid-June 2025.
- Women Leadership Programme: An exclusive leadership development programme aimed at women in entrepreneurship and leadership roles, empowering them with the skills and network needed to scale their businesses. This call is open until May 11th, 2025.
- VC Academy: Aimed at early-career professionals in venture capital, this programme provides advanced training and hands-on learning to grow in the field. Last chance to apply, with the deadline closing in 2 days on April 30th, 2025.