Cartier Women's Initiative Awards of $100,000

Cartier is offering female entrepreneurs worldwide to be part of the Cartier Women’s Initiative, which started in 2006 and supported 219 females since its establishment. Each year, 21 finalists representing 7 regions (Latin America & the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East & North Africa, East Asia and South Asia & Oceania) are selected during the first round of the competition. These finalists are then invited to attend the Awards week (exact location still TBC) during which the second round of the competition takes place. After the final jury evaluation, 7 laureates, one for each region, are announced on stage during the Awards ceremony.

Eligibility criteria:

1. Applicants must be female from any part of the world.
2. Businesses must have a proven business model in the initial phase of its development and growth (between 1-5 years of licensed/registered operations). The Initiative raised the funds to $2 million in order to ensure that the businesses selected fall within a similar stage of development.
3. Impact-driven businesses are the focus of the Initiative, which seeks to create strong, sustainable and measurable social and/or environmental impact. 
4. The business must align with at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Goals are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 for the year 2030. They are a call for action by all countries to promote prosperity while protecting the environment. 
5. Applications from businesses that are headed by several cofounders are accepted. However, the business can be represented by a woman only. She most hold the main leadership position within the company, either in the capacity of General Manager, Director or CEO and must own significant stake in the business.
6. If a business is led by 2 or more female cofounders, only one of them can represent the business.
7. Projects must be original business creation, wholly conceived by the team, a completely new concept. 
8. Applicants may apply as individuals.

Prize:

The 21 finalists, representing the top 3 businesses from each of the 7 regions will receive:

1. One-to-one personalized business coaching prior to the Awards week.
2. A series of business coaching workshops and networking sessions during the Awards week.
3. Media visibility for the finalists and their businesses in the months leading up to the Awards week and interview opportunities with local & international press during the Awards week.

Prize money:

1. $100,000 in prize money for 7 laureates (1 from each region). 
2. $30,000 in prize money for 14 finalists (the two runners-up from each region).
3. A scholarship to attend the six-day INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship Executive Education Program (pending admission to the program based on eligibility criteria and selection process).
4. Ongoing support for the further growth and development of their business.