Cartier Women's Initiative Awards


The Cartier Women's Initiative, created in 2006, are a joint partnership project initiated by Cartier, the Women's Forum, McKinsey & Company and INSEAD business school to encourage women entrepreneurs.

Process

Seven laureates, one from each continental region are honoured annually for the creativity, financial sustainability and social impact of their start-up businesses.
The prize includes a place on an INSEAD executive programme, a US$100,000 grant, international media exposure and networking and coaching opportunities.

History of the awards

In 2006, Cartier supported the very first edition of the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society, an international gathering designed to promote women's vision on issues of global relevance.
In 2006, Cartier and the Women's Forum joined forces with McKinsey & Company and INSEAD business school to create the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards that aim to support female entrepreneurs through mentoring, funding, networking opportunities and media visibility.
The very first Laureates were awarded in 2007. Since the creation of the Award, 32 entrepreneurs have received the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards.

Competition

Phase I - Three finalists from each of the seven regions are selected in the first round of the competition. These 21 finalists receive coaching to move to the next phase where they submit a detailed business plan and defend their projects verbally in front of the jury.
Phase II - The 21 finalists are invited to attend the Awards Week and the seven laureates are nominated during the Awards Ceremony which up until 2015, was traditionally held at the Annual Global Meeting of the Women's Forum in Deauville.
The finalists and laureates are selected by regional juries composed of entrepreneurs, economists, business men and women, entrepreneurship advocates etc. They are chosen on the basis of their entrepreneurial experience, their business achievements and their commitment to the support of women entrepreneurs. The jury's involvement is long-term and voluntary.
The coaching of the finalists and laureates is conducted by Cartier managers, McKinsey & Company consultants, INSEAD alumni and INSEAD MBA students.
Women of any nationality, sector of industry and country may apply.

Past laureates

2019

2015