Entrepreneurs and small businesses have emerged as the engines of economic growth and social development. Yet, many barriers still discourage women from entrepreneurship. The shortfall is obvious: if as many women as men were to engage in start-up activity, thousands of new companies and new jobs would see the day. To address this issue, the Women's Forum, Cartier, McKinsey and INSEAD joined forces to create a unique program for budding women entrepreneurs. Each year, the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards are given to five women, one per continent, who lead creative, sustainable and socially responsible companies and business ideas.

An international contest, these Awards involve two stages: the selection of fifteen Finalists in the first round and the selection of five Laureates in the second round. Because sound advice and training are of great importance when launching a business, coaching support by Cartier, McKinsey and INSEAD consultants is offered both to the Finalists and to the Laureates. Each Laureate receives in addition US$ 20 000 and the opportunity to further work with their coaches for a year.

TIMELINE 2008

• Monday February 18, 2008: Application deadline
• June 18, 2008: Announcement of the Finalists 2008
• June - October 10, 2008: Coaching period for the Finalists
• October 13 - 14, 2008: Coaching workshops for the Finalists in Paris
• October 17, 2008: Announcement of the Laureates 2008 and Awards Ceremony at the Annual Global Meeting of the Women's Forum in Deauville, France.

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?