The Cartier Women’s Initiative Award is an international business plan competition created in 2006 by Cartier, the Women’s Forum, McKinsey & Company and INSEAD business school to identify, support and encourage projects by women entrepreneurs.

The Mission

The mission of the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards is threefold:

  • To identify and support initial-phase women entrepreneurs through funding and coaching
  • To foster the spirit of enterprise by celebrating role models in entrepreneurship
  • To create an international network of women entrepreneurs and encourage peer networking

Entrepreneurs play a central role in all economies. More than ever, we must support the next generation of men and women who have the audacity to create, to innovate and to imagine the future. The Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards aim to encourage the most vulnerable category of entrepreneurs in their most vulnerable phase: women entrepreneurs starting up. Since its inception in 2006, it has accompanied 27 promising female business-owners and recognized 10 Laureates among them: five in October 2007 and five in October 2008.

The annual competition involves two rounds:

Round 1 (in June) – The Jury selects fifteen Finalists, the top three projects of each region (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America), on the basis of their short business plans. They receive coaching from experienced businesspeople to move to the next round.

Round 2 (in October) – The Finalists are invited to France for the final round of competition which includes submitting a detailed business plan and presenting their projects in front of the Jury. They also attend the Annual Global Meeting of the Women’s Forum where valuable business contacts can be made.

Lucie Avoaka, Laureate 2007 for Africa and her team holding the Awards Trophy

Based on the quality of the plan and the persuasiveness of the verbal presentation, one Laureate for each of the five regions is selected and receives a unique and comprehensive support package: US $ 20 000 of funding, one year of coaching, networking opportunities and media exposure.

The competition is designed to give all participants an opportunity to gain perspective and confidence by stimulating cross-cultural exchanges.

Key dates

  • October 16, 2009: announcement of the 2009 Laureates.
  • November 10, 2009 - March 10, 2010: application period for the 4th Annual Cartier Women's Initiative Awards.
  • June 2010: announcement of the 2010 Finalists
  • October 2010: announcement of the 2010 Laureates.
Media Center Toolbox FAQ Newsletter