About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The initiative aims to empower women-led businesses that are creating innovative solutions to global challenges while generating sustainable impact in their communities and industries.
Entrepreneurs from around the world are invited to apply before the deadline on 16 June 2026 at 2:00 PM Central European Summer Time (CEST).
About the Cartier Women’s Initiative
Founded in 2006, the Cartier Women’s Initiative is an international entrepreneurship programme designed to support women founders and business leaders committed to driving positive change through innovative enterprises.
The Regional Awards recognise women entrepreneurs across different regions and sectors whose businesses demonstrate strong potential for growth, sustainability, and measurable impact. The programme has become one of the most respected global platforms for women-led entrepreneurship and social innovation.
Purpose of the Regional Awards
The 2027 Regional Awards are intended to identify and support talented women entrepreneurs whose ventures contribute to solving pressing global issues while advancing inclusive and sustainable development.
The programme focuses on businesses that:
Deliver measurable social or environmental impact
Demonstrate innovation and scalability
Show long-term financial sustainability
Use entrepreneurship to address local and global challenges
Contribute to inclusive economic development
The initiative encourages applications from women founders operating across diverse industries and regions.
Application Timeline
Key Dates
Applications Opened: 16 April 2026
Application Deadline: 16 June 2026 at 2:00 PM CEST
First Notification Round: August 2026
Final Notifications: By December 2026
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before the closing date to avoid technical challenges associated with last-minute submissions.
Eligibility and Important Guidelines
Applicants are advised to carefully review the eligibility requirements before beginning the application process. The programme specifically targets women impact entrepreneurs leveraging business for positive transformation.
Important application guidelines include:
Only one application per business is permitted each year
Multiple applications from the same business or founders may result in disqualification
Applicants must select the most appropriate award category before submission
Applications must be submitted online through the official Submittable platform
The organisation also recommends reviewing the official selection criteria and scoring rubric before completing the application.
Application Process
Applications must be completed online through a free Submittable account. Applicants may use either personal or shared company email addresses for registration.
The application process allows participants to:
Save drafts and complete applications later
Request edits before the application deadline
Withdraw and resubmit applications if necessary
Download a PDF copy of submissions after the deadline
To ensure a smooth experience, applicants are encouraged to use updated browsers such as:
Google Chrome
Firefox
Safari
Confidentiality and Data Protection
Cartier Women’s Initiative has stated that all submitted business information will be treated with strict confidentiality throughout the review and evaluation process.
Watches
Only limited information regarding selected businesses, such as:
Business name
Short business description
Industry field
may be publicly disclosed unless prior authorisation is granted by the applicant.
Shortlisted businesses may also be required to provide additional supporting documentation during later stages of the evaluation process.
Why Entrepreneurs Should Apply
The Cartier Women’s Initiative has built a strong global reputation for supporting women entrepreneurs who are creating transformative businesses with meaningful impact.
Selected entrepreneurs often gain access to:
International recognition
Business development opportunities
Strategic mentorship
Networking opportunities
Global visibility
Access to a community of impact-driven entrepreneurs
The programme provides a valuable platform for scaling innovative enterprises while connecting founders to a broader ecosystem of investors, experts, and global changemakers.
Supporting Women-Led Innovation Globally
As global conversations around inclusive entrepreneurship, sustainability, and impact investing continue to grow, initiatives such as the Cartier Women’s Initiative play a critical role in supporting women founders who are often underrepresented in global funding ecosystems.
The programme continues to highlight the importance of women-led enterprises in addressing social inequalities, environmental sustainability, technological innovation, healthcare access, education, and economic resilience worldwide.
Interested applicants can access the online application portal and detailed eligibility information through the official programme platform.
How to apply