• EmpoWomen’s first cohort concluded with a Demo Day during the Slush Conference in Helsinki
• Out of 11 participants of the batch, three standout startups were rewarded, including AstroTeq.ai from Poland
• AstroTeq.ai develops an AI-powered solution for earthquake prediction
• The program’s second Open Call has already been finalized, and the next acceleration program will commence in March 2025

On November 19th, the EmpoWomen startup acceleration program’s first batch concluded with its Demo Day as a side event of the famous Slush conference in Helsinki. The Demo Day celebrated all 11 participants and awarded three standout startups: AstroTeq.ai from Poland and iplexmed and GOTECH Antimicrobial from Portugal.

Led by SPLORO, Startup Wise Guys, TechUkraine, and Business Angels Europe, with support from the European Innovation Council and EISMEA, the EmpoWomen Programme empowers female entrepreneurs across Europe’s Widening Area, Outermost Regions, and Associated Countries. The initiative’s mission is to dismantle barriers for women-led businesses by offering EUR 1.1M+ in equity-free funding and comprehensive mentorship. Through strategic support and collaboration, EmpoWomen fosters innovation, growth, and leadership among women entrepreneurs, driving positive change and inclusivity in the European startup ecosystem.

The Jury and the Winners

This May, EmpoWomen concluded its first Open Call and selected 11 outstanding teams for its 6-months acceleration program that culminated in the Demo Day where the organizers awarded top 3 teams. The esteemed jury included:

• Salvatore Cavallaro, Startup Program Manager at BRYCK.COM
• Sezen Gungor, International Relations Director at Bilişim Vadisi
• Wendy HL. C., General Partner at Wise Guys Ventures
• Pasi Pohjala, Chairperson of the Board, Partner and Investment Director at Nordic Startup Ventures

They tackled the challenge of selecting the winning startups, and the awards went to:

• Noemi Zabari and Astroteq.ai from Poland for their pioneering AI-driven earthquake forecasting system.
• Dr Neide Vieira and iplexmed from Portugal for revolutionizing healthcare accessibility with portable genetic diagnostic devices.
• Patrícia C. Henriques and GOTECH Antimicrobial from Portugal for advancing healthcare with their cutting-edge antimicrobial technologies.

‘AstroTeq.ai’s well-deserved 1st place at the EmpoWomen Demo Day is a testament to their exceptional qualities and achievements during the 6-month acceleration program, which set them apart as a standout in this year’s program. Their innovative solution for earthquake forecasting and crisis management addresses a critical global challenge, demonstrating both groundbreaking innovation and significant impact potential,’ Startup Wise Guys’ CEO Cristobal Alonso comments.

‘The jury was particularly impressed by AstroTeq’s solid pitch, which reflected their deep sector expertise, a clear understanding of market dynamics, and the outstanding potential of their solution. Their team, including a highly knowledgeable CTO, Itamar Zabari, demonstrated the perfect blend of technical skill and strategic vision,’ Startup Wise Guys’ program manager Timi Ilze adds.

The Origins of AstroTeq.ai

AstroTeq.ai’s CEO Noemi Zabari is an astrophysicist specializing in dense nuclear matter. While pursuing her scientific career, she was also involved in the startup ecosystem and managing multiple R&D projects (up to five at a time, she admits). This experience enriched her with the skills needed for running a startup, such as handling multiple roles and responsibilities.

The startup’s CCO/CTO has a strong business focus, with experience in commercialization and driving innovation, while also understanding the tech side. The CSO specializes in cosmic and gamma radiation and has excellent leadership abilities.

‘The decision to start AstroTeq wasn’t easy since we come from science, and business was an entirely different world for us. But our complementary skills and perspectives made it a charming prospect. Over time, we’ve built a strong core team and handle additional needs by hiring short-term help or using external services, especially as grant-based funding winds down,’ Ms Zabari shares.

The team is developing an AI-based system that monitors and predicts earthquakes using space technologies. These include cosmic radiation, radar data from satellites, and thermal data from satellites. The goal is to create a solution that not only pushes the boundaries of science but also has a profound impact on society by potentially saving lives, reducing damage, and helping communities and industries prepare for earthquakes with better precision and confidence.

AstroTeq.ai was founded in 2019. Ms Zabari lists a few reasons why a solution like this hasn’t already turned up.

1. The connection between cosmic radiation and seismic activity wasn’t known before.
2. Earthquake prediction is considered nearly impossible – a ‘holy grail’ that people have been trying to achieve for decades. This belief makes many give up before they even start.
3. Dealing with skepticism at every step is exhausting and demotivating. ‘I can understand why others didn’t pursue this idea. I’ve had my own moments of doubt because of it. But thankfully, we have such a supportive team, great advisors, and partners. Plus our results speak for themselves!,’ Ms Zabari tells ITKeyMedia.

AstroTeq.ai and EmpoWomen

AstroTeq.ai achieved impressive milestones during the acceleration program, including the creation of three detectors, the integration of SAR satellite data into their system, and improved forecasting accuracy.

‘While they are still working with historical and near-real data these advancements illustrate the team’s commitment to continuous product development and innovation and with the next pilot they are aiming to start working with the real-time data,’ Ms Ilze comments.

EUR 45K of funding that AstroTeq.ai received from EmpoWomen is already helping accelerate AI models to create a demonstrator showing results for Japan, Taiwan, and Albania. Reportedly, information for more countries is in the works. On the business side, AstroTeq.ai made great progress through securing deals with insurance brokers, entering into new partnerships, and approaching closing more deals. Reportedly, the first pilots are to run soon to showcase AstroTeq.ai’s results and help unlock new markets.

‘AstroTeq.ai stood out in their EmpoWomen batch due to a combination of visionary leadership, innovative technology, and a clear commitment to solving pressing challenges in earthquake forecasting. It has a real potential to save lives and mitigate risks in affected communities. AstroTeq demonstrated exceptional progress during the program, showing the achievement of all their objectives and the ability to scale effectively in emerging markets. Their team’s adaptability, strategic planning, and Naomi’s ability to communicate their vision also contributed significantly to their recognition during the final Demo Day,’ SPLORO’s co-founder and COO Alberto Sierra Bañón states.

Ms Ilze adds that AstroTeq.ai’s ability to demonstrate measurable product growth, coupled with an outstanding market opportunity, underscores why they earned their recognition in the EmpoWomen program.

In conclusion, Ms Zabari summarizes her experience:

‘EmpoWomen was a blast! I’m a big fan of face-to-face meetings – they were the most memorable for me. Each girl is special in her own way, and I love seeing how we, as individuals, bring a piece of our own character into the technologies we create. For example, I’ll never look at cybersecurity solutions without seeing a spider and the liveliness of Aliona. I’ll always associate Patricia’s work in medical innovation for dialysis patients with her calm and steady personality. And I can’t think about pregnancy without Slawa’s stylish, modern, and comfortable way of being. It’s amazing how our personalities shape the technologies we invent – it’s like they carry a piece of us.’

EmpoWomen’s second Open Call concluded on December 2nd. The jury is evaluating the applicants until February 2025, and 14 selected participants will start the acceleration program in March.