Celebrating 20 years, the Cartier Women’s Initiative has built a legacy of empowering women entrepreneurs through bold ideas and global impact. Since 2006, it has supported over 300 women in 60 countries, advancing innovation through funding, mentorship, and a strong community. Today, it stands as a dynamic platform accelerating women shaping a more inclusive future.
A Global Platform For Growth
For its 2026 edition, Cartier Women’s Initiative celebrates its milestone under the theme “Lighting the path”, paying tribute to women driving change with courage, creativity, and conviction. The theme feels fitting for a programme that has spent two decades championing women whose ideas do more than disrupt markets; they create lasting value for communities and industries alike. It also reflects Cartier’s belief that progress takes shape when women gain the tools to lead with purpose and act with clarity.
Over the past two decades, the programme has supported 330 women impact entrepreneurs from 66 countries, building a community that now includes more than 520 active members. Those figures give real weight to the initiative’s legacy, showing how it has expanded beyond an awards platform into something much more enduring. Today, Cartier Women’s Initiative stands out for its impact-driven and holistic approach, combining recognition with support that continues long after the ceremony ends.
The programme has provided a total of USD $14.1 million in financial support, but the value it offers extends well beyond grant funding. Fellows also receive leadership development, wellbeing support, mentorship, fellowship opportunities, and lifelong access to a global network built on collaboration and shared experience. That broader structure gives Cartier Women’s Initiative a stronger sense of purpose, helping women entrepreneurs grow not only their ventures, but also their leadership journeys.
Driving Impact Through Innovation
For 2026, Cartier Women’s Initiative has announced 30 fellows, representing the top three businesses across nine regional awards and one thematic award. These women were recognised for meaningful solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, reflecting the scale and ambition shaping women-led impact entrepreneurship today. Their ventures span sectors, regions, and communities, but they share one thing in common: using business as a force for good.
This year also marks a first for the programme with the recognition of a woman impact entrepreneur from Nepal, adding another layer to its expanding global reach. The awards ceremony will take place on 10 June 2026 in Bangkok, a city that feels like a natural setting for a programme centred on entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, and creativity. First-place awardees will receive USD $100,000, while second- and third-place fellows will receive USD $60,000 and USD $30,000 respectively.
All 30 fellows will also benefit from a year-long fellowship programme, media visibility, networking opportunities, and lifelong access to the Cartier Women’s Initiative community. Looking ahead, applications for the 2027 edition will open on 16 April 2026 and close on 16 June 2026, with the next cycle once again covering nine regional awards and the Science & Technology Pioneer Award. After 20 years, Cartier Women’s Initiative continues moving forward with purpose, proving that supporting women entrepreneurs means investing in a more inclusive and sustainable future.
(Photos: Cartier)
