Cartier Women’s Initiative 2026 is offering up to $100,000 grant for women entrepreneurs worldwide
Applications for the Cartier Women’s Initiative 2026 award have officially started for female entrepreneurs worldwide. The Cartier Women’s Initiative is an annual entrepreneurship programme for women-led businesses with social or environmental impact.
Founded in 2006, the Cartier Women’s Initiative aims to help women-owned and operated firms from any country and industry that are working to make a significant and long-lasting impact on society. So far, the Cartier Women’s Initiative has assisted 330 impact entrepreneurs across 66 countries, providing $12.2 million in funding and tackling challenges across sectors such as agriculture, education, and healthcare
“Since 2015, when Planet Protector Packaging was founded, the organisation’s goal to eradicate ocean-destroying polystyrene has become more urgent. During the pandemic, demand for insulated shipping materials increased as people sought refuge at home. With Woolpack, the company’s eco-friendly substitute for polystyrene, millions of polystyrene boxes are replaced with sustainable insulation made from leftover wool,” said Joanne Howarth, a past participant, as she shared her story.
Benefits
Participants in Cartier Women’s Initiative 2026 will receive:
- Up to $100,000, $60,000, and $30,000 in grant funding for the first, second, and third place awardees
- One-on-one training in specific business areas and executive leadership coaching
- Leadership communications and media training workshops
- Access to a vibrant lifelong community of over 500 members
- Continued support and mentorship for business growth
- Global exposure and visibility
The 2026 edition of the Cartier Women’s Initiative features both regional and thematic awards. For the regional award, three fellows will be selected from each of the following nine regions, which include: Europe, North America, East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa, Anglophone and Lusophone Africa, Middle East and North Africa, South Asia and Central Asia, and Oceania.
Meanwhile, the thematic award, called the science and technology pioneer award, recognises innovative solutions based on distinctive, proprietary, or difficult-to-replicate scientific or technological advancements. This award is open to women-impact entrepreneurs from any country and industry.
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Who can apply
To be eligible for the Cartier Women’s Initiative 2026, you must;
- Be an impact-driven company ready to contribute to the United Nations SDG goals
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a co-founder or the founder of the organisation
- Have been in business for a minimum of 5 years
- Have been generating income
How to apply
Interested participants should apply for Cartier Women’s Initiative 2026 through the official Cartier Women’s Initiative application portal on or before Tuesday, June 24th, 2025.
Do you have an innovative business (small, mid-scale business or startup) that adds value, creates opportunities or solves bold problems? Then you`ve got a story worth telling? Shoot us an email with SUBJECT “Story Worth Telling (+Name of Business)” to editorial@smepeaks.com
