Apply Now for Cartier Women’s Initiative 2021 to support Female Entrepreneurs

Deadline: 31-Jul-20

The Cartier Women’s Initiative is an annual international entrepreneurship programme that aims to drive change by empowering women impact entrepreneurs.

Founded in 2006, the programme is open to women-run and women-owned businesses from any country and sector that aim to have a strong and sustainable social and/or environmental impact.

Each year, 21 finalists representing 7 regions (Latin America & the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East & North Africa, East Asia and South Asia & Oceania) are selected during the first round of the competition.

Thematic Categories

In addition to the 7 existing Regional Awards, the initiative has launched the Science & Technology Pioneer Award, a new thematic category for the 2021 edition that aims to support women impact entrepreneurs at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation.

Prize Information

Regional Awards
- The 21 fellows, representing the top three businesses from each of the seven regions, will receive:
  - US$ 100,000 grant for each of the 7 laureates (top business from each region)
  - US$ 30,000 grant for each of the 14 finalists (2nd and 3rd runner-up businesses from each region)
Science & Technology Pioneer Award
- US$ 100,000 grant for the laureate (top business)
- US$ 30,000 grant for each of the two finalists (2nd and 3rd runner-up businesses)

Eligibility Criteria

The Cartier Women’s Initiative is looking for women-run and women-owned impact-driven businesses. Entrepreneurs across all sectors and from around the world are encouraged to apply.

Regional Awards
- To be considered for the Regional Awards, the applicant’s business must meet the following eligibility criteria:
  - For-profit: The business should be designed to generate sufficient revenues to support its operations and return some level of profit to its owners. Non-profit enterprises are not accepted.
  - Early-stage:the business should have a proven business model and be in the initial phase of its development and growth (between 1 and 5 years of licensed/registered operations). For the 2021 edition, they are looking for businesses that have been incorporated between August 2015 and August 2019. Moreover, they are focused on companies that are majority-owned by founders and employees at the time of application.
  - Revenue generation: The business should currently be generating revenue from the sales of its products and/or services for at least 1 year as of the date of application. It is understood that a business that is generating revenue is not necessarily profitable in its first years of operations.
  - Fundraising: The business should not have raised more than US$2 million in dilutive funding. The Regional Awards cap the funds raised in order to ensure that the businesses selected fall within a similar range of development.
  - Impact: The business should meet at least one of the United Nations 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.
  - Leadership: A woman must fill the main leadership position, for example as CEO, General Manager or Director of the company.
  - Ownership: The founder needs to be a woman and she must be the largest shareholder of founder equity in the company or own a share at least equal to that of her cofounder(s).
  - Legal entry age: The lead entrant must be 18 on the day of the application deadline (July 31, 2020).
  - English proficiency: A good command of the English language is required (both verbal and written). They require the Common European Framework of Reference Level B2 or above. This level requires an understanding of the main ideas of complex text, technical discussion in business and your field of specialisation, and an ability to interact with fluency and spontaneity with native speakers.
  - Time commitment: The applicant must commit to dedicating up to 4 hours/week virtually for the duration of the fellowship programme and to attending one week of in-person preparatory training (date TBC).
Science & Technology Pioneer Award
- Technological & scientific innovation: The business should be based on the development of a new technology, a complex engineering process, or a scientific discovery, and not only on a disruptive business model. Development of the technology and product, from idea (TRL 1) to commercialization (TRL 9) should take at least 2 years.
- For-profit: The business should be designed to generate sufficient revenues to support its operations and return some level of profit to its owners. Non-profit enterprises are not accepted.
- Early-stage: The business should be in the initial phase of its development or growth.It must have at least a proof of concept, a prototype, or be in the process of producing one (minimum TRL 4) and must not be commercialising its final product/service for more than 5 years. Moreover, they are focused on companies that are majority-owned by founders and employees at the time of application.
- Impact: The business should demonstrate the potential to have a strong impact on its industry. It should meet at least one of the United Nations 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.
- Leadership: A woman must fill the main leadership position, for example as CEO, General Manager or Director of the company.
- Ownership: The founder needs to be a woman and she must be the largest shareholder of founder equity in the company or own a share at least equal to that of her cofounder(s).
- Legal entry age: The lead entrant must be 18 on the day of the application deadline.
- English proficiency: A good command of the English language is required (both verbal and written). they require the Common European Framework of Reference Level B2 and above. This level requires an understanding of the main ideas of complex text, technical discussion in business and your field of specialization and an ability to interact with fluency and spontaneity with native speakers.
- Time commitment: The candidate must commit to dedicating up to 4 hours/week virtually for the duration of the fellowship programme and to attending one week of in-person preparatory training (date TBC).