Tara’s Circle 2026, from the Tara for Women Foundation, offers €100,000 across 15 awards to women founders running seed-stage ventures with social, environmental, or economic impact. Applications are open worldwide with no geographic restriction, and close September 17, 2026 at noon CEST. Founders need an active leadership role and a working or defined minimum viable product.
At a glance
| Deadline | September 17, 2026, 12:00 p.m. CEST |
| Eligibility | Women 18+, founder or co-founder in active leadership, seed-stage venture with a defined or functional MVP |
| Award | €100,000 total across 15 winners in five thematic impact areas (€10,000, €6,000, and €4,000 per area) |
| Geography | Worldwide, no national or regional restriction |
| How to apply | Online form plus pitch deck and a 2-minute video pitch, via taraforwomen.org/taras-circle-2026 |
Who’s eligible
Applicants must be women aged 18 or older, holding a founder or co-founder role with real decision-making authority in the venture, not an advisory or junior position. The venture itself needs to be at seed stage with a minimum viable product already defined or functioning. The foundation states the venture must show “social, environmental, and/or economic impact potential” along with scalability and sustainability, without further narrowing by sector or region.
What you get
Winners split €100,000 across five thematic impact areas, €20,000 each, distributed as €10,000 for first place, €6,000 for second, and €4,000 for third within that category, for 15 winning projects total. Beyond the cash award, the program includes strategic mentorship and access to Tara for Women’s international network. Finalists are announced October 14, 2026, with an invitation-only awards gala in Madrid on November 18, 2026.
How to apply
Applications go through the official program page at taraforwomen.org/taras-circle-2026, where the full open call guidelines and application form are posted in English and Spanish. Required materials are an application form, a pitch deck in PDF, and a two-minute elevator pitch recorded in either language. The foundation asks applicants not to send inquiries within 48 hours of the deadline, since responses take up to two business days.
Tara for Women is a foundation established in 2021 by entrepreneur and investor Bill Saad, founder of Jota2 Group. Through Q2 2026, the foundation reports evaluating more than 505 projects, supporting 86 women entrepreneurs, and distributing €264,933 in grants, figures it publishes in its own transparency reporting.
Key dates
- Registration opened: July 1, 2026
- Application deadline: September 17, 2026, 12:00 p.m. CEST
- Finalists announced: October 14, 2026
- Awards gala (Madrid, invitation only): November 18, 2026
FAQ
Does Tara’s Circle require a registered company, or is an early-stage idea enough?
Neither extreme. The venture needs to be past the idea stage, at minimum a defined or functioning MVP, but the program doesn’t require prior revenue or formal accelerator graduation.
Is there a fee to apply?
No. The foundation states the program is free to apply to.
Can a venture based outside Europe or Latin America apply?
Yes. Eligibility has no geographic restriction, though the foundation notes fund disbursement is subject to each winner’s local legal and regulatory compliance.
What happens after I submit my application?
Applications are reviewed against the five thematic impact areas, with finalists announced October 14, 2026, ahead of the November 18 awards gala in Madrid.
Is Impact DOTS affiliated with Tara for Women?
No. This post is independent coverage of a publicly announced opportunity, not an endorsement or partnership.
Deadline and details current as sourced from taraforwomen.org/taras-circle-2026 and the foundation’s own transparency reporting.
