Final Report: GreenTech Accelerator Program for Female Startups

The final report on the design process for the GreenTech Accelerator Program for female-led startups outlines a strategic framework for a new support instrument funded under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021–2028. The primary objective is to address the specific barriers faced by women entrepreneurs in the green technology sector by providing specialized acceleration services. The program is designed to foster innovation and sustainable growth, operating within a predefined scope that emphasizes service delivery over direct financial grants.

The methodology employed in developing this instrument follows a service design approach, ensuring the program is tailored to the actual needs of its target audience. The design process involved extensive collaboration between the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP), experts in green transformation and innovation financing, and founders of female-led startups. This collaborative effort included qualitative research, iterative prototyping, and multiple testing phases to refine the program’s structure, communication strategies, and implementation plan.

The program identifies key challenges for female founders, including systemic barriers to entry and growth within the GreenTech market. By focusing on non-financial support, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between innovative potential and market readiness. The resulting framework provides a comprehensive roadmap for implementation, including clear definitions of the target audience, expected outcomes, risk management strategies, and promotional channels. This initiative represents a targeted effort to leverage the untapped potential of female entrepreneurship to accelerate the transition toward environmentally sustainable business models.