UN Women launches Expo 2025 to empower women entrepreneurs across Europe and Central Asia

UN Women has announced Expo 2025, a regional initiative designed to connect, support, and accelerate women-led businesses across Europe and Central Asia. The Regional Virtual Expo will be held in November 2025 and is open to all interested women entrepreneurs. Selected participants will be invited to targeted bootcamps and satellite events.

With a focus on inclusivity and diversity, the Expo will bring together women entrepreneurs, business partners, and investors through a series of tailored capacity-building and networking events.

The Expo 2025 will unfold in multiple phases, including:

·       Local and interregional business development activities.

·       Virtual networking sessions.

·       Bootcamps and mentoring.

·       A culminating live pitching and investor networking event in Spring 2026.

To be eligible, applicants must represent women-owned businesses in the MVP, early stage (product already on sale), or growth stage (generating revenue).

Participants will benefit from:

·       A virtual showcase platform.

·       Business bootcamps led by industry experts.

·       Mentoring and pitch development.

·       Peer networking across 13 countries in the region.

·       A chance to join the exclusive Expo Capital Quest investor event.

Applications are now open, and women entrepreneurs are encouraged to complete the full questionnaire.

The Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO was launched in 2021 by the UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Yıldız Holding. The EXPO has since become a cornerstone of the global Women’s Entrepreneurship Accelerator.

UN Women is the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide.