These trailblazing entrepreneurs represent the top three businesses for each of the nine regional awards and two thematic awards under the initiative (Photo: Cartier Women’s Initiative)
When a company supports a woman entrepreneur, it is not just her business that benefits. More often than not, what she does has a trickle-down effect that, even if difficult to measure in terms of revenue or profit, can have far-reaching impact on people in significant ways.
The 33 fellows selected for the 2024 edition of the Cartier Women’s Initiative, recognised for their achievements and meaningful solutions to pressing global challenges, exemplify that in myriad ways. They represent the top three businesses for each of the nine regional awards and two thematic awards under the CWI.
This year, among the projects that impressed the jury panel is one that aims to reduce sexual harassment at the workplace, and another that feeds underserved children with nutritious food prepared using locally sourced ingredients, based on traditional African flavours.
Women entrepreneurs are a force for good and since the start of this programme in 2006, Cartier has helped many achieve their dreams with funding and support, in keeping with the French maison’s pioneering spirit. In 2023, two regional Awards (Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania) and a thematic pilot award (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) open to all genders were introduced. Grant funding was increased to US$2 million (RM9.6 million) in total per edition, as was the number of fellows (to 33 annually).
The top three winners of each of the 11 awards will be announced at a ceremony in Shenzhen, China, on May 22. They will receive, respectively, US$100,000, US$60,000 and US$30,000 in grant funding for their projects. All the fellows will benefit from mentoring and coaching, networking opportunities among a global network of 700 impact leaders, and courses from INSEAD Business School in Fontainebleau, France. For details on the fellows and their work, see here.
This article first appeared on Apr 29, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
