The Cartier Women’s Initiative is an annual international entrepreneurship programme that aims to drive change by empowering women impact entrepreneurs. Founded in 2006, the programme supports women-led, women-owned, impact-driven businesses from any country and sector. The fellowship aims to provide fellows with peer-, industry-, and academic-based educational programming for skills and leadership development, as well as business growth. Beyond financial support, fellows gain access to an online and offline community of 500+ experts and peers, the INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship Programme, 1:1 business coaching, leadership training, and international media exposure. The initiative operates across nine global regions and includes thematic awards recognising scientific and technological innovation.
Funding Amount
- US$100,000 grant for each first-place awardee
- US$60,000 grant for each second-place awardee
- US$30,000 grant for each third-place awardee
- Second-Place Awardees: Receive a grant of USD $60,000.
- Third-Place Awardees: Receive a grant of USD $30,000.
Target
Women entrepreneurs leading for-profit, impact-driven businesses in the early stages of development (1-6 years old). The business must be majority-owned by founders, with women holding significant equity and top leadership positions. Target beneficiaries are women-run and women-owned businesses from any country and sector that aim to have a strong and sustainable social and/or environmental impact.
Closing Date
Closing Date: The Call for Applications for the 2026 edition will open from April 18 to June 24, 2025.
Focus Areas
All sectors and geographies are eligible. Priority given to businesses that contribute to at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Science & Technology Pioneer Award specifically targets disruptive solutions built on unique technological or scientific advances that require substantial R&D.
Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant must be a woman, and she must fill one of the main leadership positions, for example, as CEO, COO, CTO, General Manager, or Managing Director of the business
- The business must be majority-owned by its founders and team members at the time of application. A woman must own a share greater than or equal to co-founders
- Must be a registered for-profit business (not a non-profit)
- The business should have a proven business model and be in the initial phase of its development and growth (with 1-6 years of licensed/registered operations as of the date of application).
- The business should be generating revenue from the sales of its products and/or services for at least 1 year as of the date of application
- The business should not have raised more than US$2 million in dilutive or potentially dilutive funding
- Business must contribute to the UN SDGs
- Applicant must be at least 18 years old
- English proficiency is required at Common European Framework of Reference Level B2 or above
- The applicant must commit to participating in the fellowship programme from January 2026 to March 2027, dedicating 1 to 3 hours per week, and attending one week of in-person events in May 2026
