IE University and EIT Community Supernovas announce Women2Invest 2026 to empower STEAM women to build careers in venture capital

IE University has opened applications for the fifth edition of Women2Invest, a venture capital training initiative by EIT Community Supernovas, delivered by IE Business School. It is designed for women with backgrounds in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), with the aim of increasing the presence of women in venture capital and enabling access to investment decision-making positions. Applications are open until 7 June 2026.

The program will commence in September 2026, providing participants with real-world exposure to venture capital and career pathways, and equipping them with the skills, frameworks and industry insight required to enter the sector. Delivered in an online format, Women2Invest combines case studies, applied assignments, simulated investment processes and collaborative group work in a 15-week bootcamp with an expected workload of approximately five hours per week. 

Women2Invest has already demonstrated significant impact across Europe, training more than 250 women from over 30 countries un previous editions. Among participants, 81% hold Master’s degrees and 37% hold PhDs, reflecting a highly qualified talent pool. To date, more than 35 venture capital firms have recruited talent through Women2Invest. The 2025 edition also increased the visibility of women already established in the VC sector: 8 of 11 program faculty members were women (73%), reflecting the program’s strong emphasis on role models and practice-led teaching delivered by active VC professionals. 

Training aligned with real-world venture capital practice

The specialized program covers the full investment lifecycle, from startup fundamentals and the European VC landscape to business model analysis, due diligence, valuation, term sheets, negotiation, portfolio management, impact investing and exit strategies. The training is delivered by top European venture capital professionals and offers direct access to industry experts, with high-performing candidates potentially gaining access to roles within participating VC firms and corporate investment funds.

"Women2Invest is a clear example of how IE University brings together exceptional talent and world-class faculty to create transformational learning experiences. When you put STEAM women in the same room as Europe's leading venture capital practitioners, careers are launched, networks are built, and the innovation ecosystem becomes stronger," said Daniel Soriano Hernández, Director, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center at IE University.

"It is just as important to have women founding startups and building businesses with pioneering technologies as it is to have women making investment decisions and sitting on key investment committees. Europe needs both sides of the coin to be fully active, and that is precisely what Supernovas aims to achieve,” said Celia Alija Pérez, Supernovas Project Manager.

EIT Community Supernovas is a pan-European initiative powered by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), with the mission to increase the number of women investors and women-led startups across Europe through a combination of startup acceleration, specialized education programs, and community-building.