Deadline Date: June 16, 2026
The Cartier Women’s Initiative Regional Awards support women-led impact businesses worldwide with funding, training, and global exposure to scale solutions addressing social and environmental challenges.
The program focuses on recognizing and supporting impact-driven businesses that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promote positive social and environmental change, operate as for-profit and scalable ventures, and empower women entrepreneurs across diverse sectors and regions.
The Regional Awards provide significant financial, human, and social capital support to selected fellows from nine regions. The top three impact businesses in each region are awarded grants, with first-place winners receiving $100,000 USD, second-place winners receiving $60,000 USD, and third-place winners receiving $30,000 USD. This funding is designed to help entrepreneurs expand their operations and deepen their impact.
In addition to financial support, fellows benefit from a structured fellowship program that includes leadership communications and media training workshops, participation in the INSEAD Women’s Impact Entrepreneurship Program, and tailored one-on-one training in specific business areas. Executive leadership coaching is also provided to strengthen decision-making and strategic growth capabilities.
The initiative further enhances social capital by offering international exposure and media visibility, mentorship from jury members, and access to a global community of over 500 active members. Fellows also receive continued support to develop and scale their businesses beyond the program duration.
The awards are open to women-owned and women-led businesses operating across all sectors and geographies. Eligible businesses must demonstrate measurable positive impact and align with at least one SDG, operate as for-profit entities, and fall within a defined growth stage with annual revenues between $50,000 and $5 million and a team size of 5 to 250 members.
Applicants must also meet specific criteria related to fundraising, leadership, ownership, and independence. The business should not have raised more than $2 million in dilutive funding, must be independently created, and should be majority-owned by its founding team. The applicant must be a woman in a key leadership role, at least 18 years old by the application deadline, and possess a strong command of English to actively participate in the program.
For more information, visit Cartier Women’s Initiative.
