Cartier Women’s Initiative Regional Award 2027: Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply

Women entrepreneurs are turning business into a tool for positive change around the world. The Cartier Women’s Initiative Regional Award 2027 offers a chance for women-led companies to gain funding, training, and connections. This program supports impact-driven businesses that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Who Can Apply?

The award targets women-owned and women-led businesses in all sectors and regions. Companies must show positive impact in their field and have room to grow that impact. They need to support at least one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, which address issues like poverty, health, education, and climate action.

To qualify, businesses must meet these key criteria:

• For-profit model: Generate revenue to cover costs and provide some profit to owners. Non-profits do not qualify, but the business does not need to be profitable yet.
• Business stage: Annual revenue from $50,000 to $5 million USD in the last fiscal year. Team size between 5 and 250 members, including full-time, part-time, seasonal, or contract workers.
• Funding limit: No more than $2 million USD in dilutive funding, like equity or convertible notes. Businesses with no external funding are welcome.
• Leadership role: The applicant must be a woman in a top position, such as CEO, COO, CTO, General Manager, or Managing Director.
• Independent operation: The company must stand alone financially from its founders. It has to be an original idea, not a spin-off or franchise.
• Ownership rules: Incorporated and majority-owned by founders and team. The applicant must be on the founding team with an ownership share equal to or greater than any co-founders.
• Age and language: At least 18 years old by June 16, 2026. Good English skills required.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The program makes efforts to include them.

What Do Winners Receive?

Top three businesses from each of nine regions become fellows. They get financial, human, and social capital support.

Financial support:

• First place: $100,000 USD grant
• Second place: $60,000 USD grant
• Third place: $30,000 USD grant

Human capital support includes a year-long fellowship:

• Workshops on leadership, communications, and media.
• In-person program with INSEAD on women’s impact entrepreneurship.
• One-on-one training in business areas.
• Executive coaching from The Women’s Impact Alliance.

Social capital support:

• Global media exposure.
• Mentorship from jury members.
• Access to a community of over 500 members.
• Ongoing help for business growth.

Fellows must report on their impact for three years after the program ends.

Time Commitment for Fellows

Selected fellows join from January to December 2027. The program has three phases:

• Phase 1 (January to May): Two days of on-site filming and about 20 hours of group workshops.
• Phase 2 (May/June): 2.5-day INSEAD program, plus 4.5 days for Awards Week.
• Phase 3 (June to December): About 28 hours of one-on-one coaching.

Key Dates and Application Process

Applications open April 16, 2026, and close June 16, 2026, at 2 p.m. CEST. First notifications come in August 2026. All applicants hear by December 2026.

Submit through the online form on the official Cartier Women’s Initiative website. Review full details there before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions