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Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

About the application Procedure
Can I send my application by mail?
You cannot send your application by mail. Only online applications submitted through the registration website and received in the appropriate online format are accepted.
For the Regional Awards, please submit your application here.
For the Science & Technology Pioneer Award, please submit your application here.
Can I send you my business plan instead?
We do not accept business plans. Only online applications submitted through the registration website and received in the appropriate online format are accepted.
Will I receive a confirmation that my application has reached you?
You will receive a generic confirmation email stating that your application has been saved and submitted. You will only receive this email once you have validated the preview (Regional Awards only) and clicked on ‘SUBMIT MY APPLICATION’.
Should an error occur during the submission, we suggest that you write to us directly to check that we have received your application. Your queries will be answered within a week’s time.
I started completing the form but my web-page expired. What can I do?
Regional Awards:
Once you have signed in using your email address and password, you will remain automatically logged in to your session for 23 days. If a problem occurs within this timeframe, it may be due to your browser or your internet connection. Please make sure that your browser accepts cookies. If you wish to consult your application after 23 days, simply sign back into your account using your email and password.
We recommend using Google Chrome for an optimal experience and strongly recommend that you first write out your answers in the worksheet before copy/pasting them into the form.


Science & Technology Pioneer Award:
You will need to refresh the page and possibly sign back into your account depending on your browser’s settings. The information you entered is saved regularly and automatically but we recommend you save it manually by clicking on “Save Draft” at the bottom of the application form if your connection is unstable or if you are planning to take a long pause while filling out the form.
We recommend using Google Chrome for an optimal experience and strongly recommend that you first write out your answers in the worksheet before copy/pasting them into the form.
I have trouble uploading files and attachments to my form. What can I do?
Accepted formats are .csv .doc .docx .odt .pdf .rtf. txt .wpd .wpf .fig .jpg .png .svg .tif .xls .xlsx .zip .ppt .pptx. You are limited to 419MB per file and 838MB per submission. Attachments sent to us by email are not accepted.
If you wish to send us a heavy file which contains multiple photos or graphs, we would recommend using Adobe Acrobat to compress the file before uploading it to your application.
Can I send you samples of my product?
We do not accept product samples during the call for applications. However, you may include photos of your product or service in your application form. If you are selected as a finalist, you will have the opportunity to present your products to the jury panel during the evaluation pitch.
Can I submit my application in any other language than English?
English is the only language accepted as it is the international language of business. Our jury members and our coaches are English-speakers. Good command of English is required (both verbal and written) to fully benefit from the many opportunities and resources the Cartier Women’s Initiative programme has to offer. We require the Common European Framework of Reference Level B2 and above. This level requires an understanding of main ideas of complex text, technical discussion in business and your field of specialization, ability to interact with fluency and spontaneity with native speakers.
The form states that all fields are mandatory but some do not apply to my company. What should I do?
If a question does not apply to your business, write 'NA' for 'Not Applicable' and explain why.
I have already submitted my project but would like to add new information. How should I proceed?
Regional Awards:
If you have submitted your application before the deadline, you can still sign in and change it right until the very last day of the call for applications period (July 31, 2020).


Science & Technology Pioneer Award:
Once you have submitted your application, you may not sign in and change it. However, you may request from the administrator permission to edit your form if it was submitted before the last day of the call for applications period (July 31, 2020). To do so, please sign in your Submittable account go to “My Submissions” select the submissions for the Science & Technology Pioneer Award and click on “Edit”. The request for editing can only be done once a week directly with Submittable otherwise we suggest that you write to us directly.
Please note that once the call for applications period has closed, we only accept updates if they have a direct impact on the eligibility of your business for the competition, or if they concern your personal contact information (email, address, phone). Other changes will not be taken into account past the submission deadline.
If you wish to bring changes to your application past the submission deadline, please contact us by email at contact@cartierwomensinitiative.com.
I own two businesses. Can I submit two applications to the Regional Awards?
Candidates may only enter one business in the Cartier Women's Initiative Regional Awards.
I own two businesses. Can I submit two applications to the Science & Technology Pioneer Award?
Candidates may only enter one business in the Cartier Women's Initiative Science & Technology Pioneer Award.
Can I apply to both the Regional Awards and the Science & Technology Pioneer Award?
No, you may only apply to one or the other.
I have already applied to the Cartier Women’s Initiative in the past but my business was not selected. May I apply again this year?
If your business was not selected in any prior edition, you may apply again this year. We consider all businesses that have made it past the first round of jury selection, meaning applicants that have been shortlisted as finalists, to be ineligible for future editions.
Is my information confidential?
The information you provide in your application will be available to third-party organizations in charge of:
- Managing the application portal
- Reviewing and evaluating your application
- Supporting you and your business as part of the Fellowship programme

Please note that they all sign our Non-Disclosure Agreement. However, if you believe some information might be too sensitive (because of a pending patent for example), we advise that you get legal advice from someone within your institution.

When will I know if I'm selected?
Applicants will be notified of their application status in January 2021. The fellows will then be announced in March 2021.
Should I apply to the Regional Awards or to the Science & Technology Pioneer Award?
If your company is leveraging an existing technology, process or model but applying it in a novel way, we would recommend applying to the Regional Awards. For the Regional Awards, we are looking for early- stage companies that have gained some traction by validating product/market fit in targeted segment, validating their business and financial model and that are generating revenue.
If your company is based on the development of a pioneering new technology, a complex engineering process, or a scientific discovery (and not only on a disruptive business model), we would recommend applying to the Science & Technology Pioneer Award. For the Science & Technology Pioneer Award, we are looking for companies that have reached Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4, meaning companies that have at least a proof of concept, a prototype, or are in the process of producing one. These companies often require lengthy R&D which is why, even though we accept companies that have reached commercialization, we do not wish to penalize those that have not yet started generating revenue which is why we also accept companies that are at pre-revenue stage.
If you are unsure whether you should apply to the Regional Awards or the Science & Technology Pioneer Award, please reach out to the CWI team at contact@cartierwomensinitiative.com.
About the Eligibility Criteria
What do you mean by ‘for-profit'?
The company needs to be “for-profit” meaning that it should be structured in such a way as to be self-sustainable by generating sufficient revenue to sustain and grow its activity in the long run. We do not accept applications from non-profits. That being said, we do accept applications from for-profit companies that give back a portion of their revenues to charities – as long as the company’s primary goal is to generate revenue.
Finally, we also accept under certain circumstances applications from hybrid businesses such as B-corps and Community Interest Companies (CIC) so long as they are not overly reliant on donations/grants. It should be further noted that if more than 30% of your financing comes from donation /grants and/or that you have a perpetual need for donations/grants, then your chances of making it past the preliminary screening are very slim.
What do you mean by ‘early stage’?
For the Regional Awards, ‘early stage’ means the business should have a proven business model and be in the initial phase of its development and growth (between 1-5 years of licensed/registered operations). For the 2021 edition, we are looking for businesses that have been incorporated between August 2015 and August 2019. We also cap the funds raised to US$2 million in order to ensure that the businesses selected fall within a similar stage of development.


For the Science & Technology Pioneer Award, ‘early stage’ means the business must have at least a proof of concept, a prototype or be in the process of producing one (minimum Technological Readiness Level 4) and must not be commercializing its final product/service for more than 5 years. For a detailed description of each TRL, please consult page 50 of this publication.


In both cases, we are focused on companies that are majority owned by founders and employees at the time of application.
What is an impact-driven business?
An impact-driven business is a business that seeks to create strong, sustainable and measurable social and/or environmental impact. The business must align with at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 for the year 2030. The SDGs are a call for action by all countries to promote prosperity while protecting the environment. They cover a series of social, economic, and environmental development issues.
What qualifies as a groundbreaking technological and scientific solution?
We commonly refer to these solutions as deep-tech innovations. Deep Tech innovations are defined as disruptive solutions built around unique, protected or hard-to-reproduce technological or scientific advances. Deep-tech companies have a strong research base. They create value by developing new solutions, not only by disrupting business models.
Technology readiness levels (TRLs)* are commonly used to estimate the maturity of technologies. The framework enables consistent, uniform discussions of technical maturity across different types of technology. For a detailed description of each TRL, please consult page 50 of this publication.
If you are unsure whether you should apply to the Regional Awards or the Science & Technology Pioneer Award, please reach out to the CWI team at contact@cartierwomensinitiative.com.
I am not the sole founder of my company and have a business partner: can I apply?
We accept applications from businesses that are headed by several cofounders. However, the business can be represented by a woman only. She must hold the main leadership position within the company, either in the capacity of General Manager, Director or CEO. She must also be the largest shareholder of founder equity in the company or own a share at least equal to that of her cofounder(s). If two or more female cofounders lead a business, only one of the cofounders can represent the business during the Cartier Women’s Initiative programme.
My project is an entrepreneurial initiative undertaken within a corporation. Am I eligible?
No, we accept only early-stage businesses that have been registered as independent companies and are not affiliated in any way with an established corporation or a similar women's initiative program.
I want to set up a spin-off, subsidiary or franchise for an existing company. Am I eligible?
No, your project must be an original business creation, wholly conceived of by the team; a completely new concept, meaning it cannot be a buy-back, offshoot, subsidiary or franchise of an existing concept.
University or research spin-off can however apply to the Science & Technology Pioneer Award. Please read the following definitions if you are unsure:
- Spin-offs are divisions of companies or organizations that then become independent businesses with assets, employees, intellectual property, technology, or existing products that are taken from the parent company.
- University or research spin-off are science-based companies where the underlying research has been conducted by members of their team while they were students or researchers in a university or an independent research center prior to the company creation.
- A subsidiary is a company that is owned or controlled by another company, which is called the parent company, parent, or holding company.
- A franchise is a type of license that a party (franchisee) acquires to allow them to have access to a business's (franchisor) proprietary knowledge, processes, and trademarks in order to allow the party to sell a product or provide a service under the business's name.
I have no team members at this point. Can I apply?
Yes, you may apply for the Cartier Women's Initiative programme as an individual so long as you are not a sole trader. We do not accept sole proprietorships in which there is no legal distinction between the owner and the business entity.
I am a woman but my business partner or team members are men. Can I apply?
You may apply as long as you hold the main leadership position within the company, either in the capacity of CEO, General Manager or Director. You must also be the largest shareholder of founder equity in the company or own a share at least equal to that of your cofounder(s).
If your business is shortlisted, you will be required to share an up-to-date capitalization table during the due diligence. A capitalization table (or cap table) is a table providing an analysis of a company's percentages of ownership, equity dilution, and value of equity in each round of investment by founders, investors, and other owners.
Please note that if your role in the venture is limited; your project will automatically be rejected.
I registered my business over 5 years ago but it started operating between 1 and 5 years ago. May I still apply to the Cartier Women’s Initiative Regional Awards?
The 1-5 year eligibility bracket has been designed to ensure that the businesses selected as part of the programme fall roughly within the same stage of development. This rule should be sufficiently broad to encompass a range of business types and cases which is why we are unwilling to make any exceptions.
My business operations started over 1 year ago but I only recently registered my company. May I still apply to the Cartier Women’s Initiative Regional Awards?
Your company must have been registered a year ago as of the date of application in order to qualify for the Cartier Women’s Initiative Regional Awards. We recommend waiting one year before applying to the programme. . Our programme is designed for businesses and entrepreneurs that have achieved some level of traction and sustainability.
My business has not raised any external funding whatsoever. May I still apply to the Cartier Women’s Initiative Regional Awards?
Businesses that have not raised any external funding are welcome to apply. In order to qualify for the Cartier Women’s Initiative Regional Awards, we have set a cap (maximum) to the amount of external funding that a business has raised. A business should not have raised more than US$2 million in dilutive funding. It should be noted that we are interested in both venture capital funded companies, as well as non-venture funded companies that are cash flow driven. Our focus is on a sustainable financial model, whereby your business has a growth strategy that is paired with an optimal financing strategy.
I registered my business over a 1 year ago but it has been generating little to no revenue. Should I still apply to the Cartier Women’s Initiative Regional Awards?
If your business has not yet been generating revenue, then it is not eligible to the Cartier Women’s Initiative Regional Awards. If your business has started generating revenue, it is eligible but we would recommend waiting a year or two before applying to the programme. Our programme is designed for businesses and entrepreneurs that have achieved some level of traction and sustainability.
My business has been set up as a sole proprietorship. May I apply to the Cartier Women’s Initiative?
We do not accept sole proprietorships in which there is no legal distinction between the owner and the business entity. We focus on businesses that are looking to grow and scale in the future, and as such, focus on more mature business formation entities.
I was selected as a Cartier Women's Initiative fellow for a prior edition of the programme. May I apply again?
Businesses that have formerly participated in the programme are not eligible to apply to the Cartier Women’s Initiative a second time and will be automatically rejected. This rule
applies for both the Regional Awards and the Science & Technology Pioneer Award. Furthermore, any cofounder of a business that has formerly participated in the programme is also ineligible.
Could you please specify what the time commitment is?
The applicant must commit to participating in the fellowship programme from February 2021 to November 2021. She will be expected to dedicate up to 4 hours/week virtually to the programme from January 2021 to May 2021 and up to 2 hours/week virtually from June 2021 to November 2021. We will ensure that all virtual sessions are held at a time that suits all time zones and that they will never exceed 2 hours in length. In addition to the virtual programming, the applicant will also be expected to attend two weeks of in-person training: one week from May 21st to May 28th 2021 and one week in November 2021. Please note that these time indications are tentative and may vary according to the degree of implication of each fellow.
OTHER QUESTIONS
My project was not selected. Why?
We do not discuss applications before, during or after the application period. The Cartier Women’s Initiative and jury’s decision is considered definitive and irrevocable. In some rare cases, upon request, we may provide feedback to candidates that made it past the preselection stage.
How many candidates have applied this year?
In 2019, we received over 1200 applications from 162 different countries. About 500 of these applications made it to the preselection stage and a further 70 applications were submitted to the international jury committee for review.
Are there limits on how you can spend the grant?
The Cartier Women’s Initiative does not dictate how the grant is spent but does expect fellows to comply with our reporting policy.
Is the grant subject to taxation?
It may be subject to local taxation. Payment of all and any taxes in relation to the grant is the sole responsibility of the Cartier Women’s Initiative finalists and laureates.