Women Initiative Awards

Women entrepreneurs in the initial stages of development, in any country, of any nationality and operating in any industry are welcome to submit their application.

Why Apply?

The Cartier Women's Initiative Awards is looking for committed female entrepreneurs heading initiatives with the potential to grow significantly in the years to come. It is a unique opportunity for early-phase women entrepreneurs to take their companies to the next level.

Highlights of the Competition

• The 21 finalists, representing the top 3 projects from each of the 7 regions, will receive:
• One-to-one personalized business coaching prior to the Awards week
• Series of entrepreneurship workshops, knowledge sessions and networking events during the Awards week
• Media visibility
• A scholarship to attend the INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship 6-Day Executive Programme (provided the business meets INSEAD's eligibility criteria)
• Networking opportunities through the Cartier Awards community

Winning Package

First prize for the 7 laureates:

• US$ 100 000 in prize money
• One-to-one personalized business mentoring

Eligibility Criteria

• To be considered for the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards, the project must be an original for-profit early-stage business (1 to 3 years old) led by a woman.
• For-profit: the business should be designed to generate revenues, non-profit project proposals not accepted.
• Originality: the business should be a new concept, wholly conceived by the founder or team, and not a copy or subsidiary of an existing business.
• Early stage: the business should be in the initial phase of its development (between 1-3 years)
• Revenue generation: the business should currently be generating revenue. It is understood that a business that is generating revenue is not necessarily profitable in its first years of operations.
• Women leadership & ownership: The main leadership position must be filled by a woman either in the capacity of Director, General Manager or CEO. She must also own a significant stake in the company. The ownership of the business is evaluated based on the position of the candidate in relation to other stakeholders.
• Legal entry age: 18 or the age of legal majority in the country of citizenship (whichever is older) on the day of the application deadline.
• Good command of English required (both verbal and written).

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