the Women’s Forum

Since 2006, the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards has supported over a 100 female entrepreneurs worldwide. Each year, 18 finalists are selected, 6 of whom will become Laureates.

The Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards are 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 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards aim to encourage the most vulnerable category of entrepreneurs in their most vulnerable phase: women entrepreneurs starting up. Since their inception in 2006, they have accompanied over 140 promising female business-owners and recognized 44 Laureates.

The Cartier Women’s Initiative Award is looking for committed female entrepreneurs heading initiatives with the potential to grow significantly in the years to come. The selection of the finalists and laureates of the competition is done by an independent international Jury of entrepreneurs, investors, business executives and other profiles engaged in the support of female entrepreneurship.

Eligibility Criteria

The project to be considered for the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards must be an original for-profit business creation in its initial phase (2 to 3 years old) led by a woman .

• The “for-profit” requirement: the business submitted for the Award must be designed to generate revenues. We do not accept non-profit project proposals.
• The “originality” requirement: we want your project to be a new concept, conceived and imagined by the founder and her team and not a copy or subsidiary of an existing business.
• The “initial phase” requirement: the project you submit should be in the first stages of its development with at least two years of operations and sales to account for but no older than 3 years. This means that in order for the business to be considered eligible, it must have been incorporated between August 2013 and August 2014.
• The main leadership position must be filled by a woman. A good command of English is required (both verbal and written) to take full advantage of the benefits the Award has to offer.
• All entrants must be aged 18 or the age of legal majority in their respective countries or states of citizenship, whichever is older, on the day of the application deadline.

Evaluation Criteria

The Jury evaluates the projects based on criteria of creativity, sustainability (potential for growth) and impact.

• The creativity criterion: the Jury looks at the degree of innovation shown by the overall business concept, the uniqueness of the project on the market or country where it is being developed.
• The sustainability criterion: the Jury examines the financial impact of the business, its revenue model, development strategy and other aspects indicating its chances of long-term success and future growth.
• The impact criterion: the Jury evaluates the effect of the business on society, in terms of jobs created or its effect on the immediate or broader environment.
• The overall quality and clarity of the material presented: the Jury is looking for motivated and committed entrepreneurs who are passionate about their initiatives. Being clear and concise, organizing your ideas and not repeating yourself will show that you are serious about your application.

Benefits:

• Finalists get access to coaching, entrepreneurial workshop and media visibility.
• The Laureates receive a unique and comprehensive support package: US $ 20, 000 of funding, one year of coaching, networking opportunities and media exposure.
• One-to-one personalized business coaching
• Awards Week: entrepreneurship workshops, press conference, presentation to the jury members and networking opportunities

Join the Awards Community and apply now to become one of the 2016 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards finalists. )

Apply Now for the 2016 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the 2016 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards