Cartier Women’s Initiative $20,000 to Start Your Business if You Win

Written on January 28, 2008 by Amanda M. Gladden

The Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards is a unique, annual business plan competition for female entrepreneurs in the initial phases of business development. Created in 2006 by Cartier and the Women’s Forum with the support of McKinsey and INSEAD management school. The Awards are an international distinction honoring five innovative business projects led by women, one per continent. Winners also receive receive a US$ 20,000 grant and personalized coaching support for a full year.

Who Can Participate

Women entrepreneurs in the early stages of their business development
Women from all over the world can apply
The project to be considered for the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards must be:

An original for-profit business creation, wholly conceived of by the team
A completely new concept, meaning it cannot be a buy-back, off-shoot, or a subsidiary of an existing concept
In the initial phase: the project will not have been launched yet OR it has already started operating but is still in the first stages of development (no older than three to four years)
The main leadership position must be filled by a woman, either in the capacity of Founder, Director, General Manager, or Project leader. If the company is already registered, the main shareholder, CEO, or Chairman must be a woman.

Additional requirements:

All entrants must be aged 18 or the age of legal majority in their respective countries / states on the day of Entry Submission Deadline;
The lead entrant should have a good command of English (both verbal and written) as the language of the Awards is English.

Competition Time-line

February 15, 2008, 23:59 (Paris time:GMT + 1,) Online applications must be received
April, 2008 Announcement of the finalists
October 2008 Selection of the international winners

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The projects are assessed by separate Juries for each region in accordance with fixed criteria including:

Creativity: The degree of innovation shown by the overall business concept
Sustainability: Financial impact of the business, indicating chances of long-term success
Impact: Effect on society of the business, in terms of jobs created or its effect on the immediate or broader environment.
Overall quality and clarity of the material presented

What’s in it For You

All fifteen Finalists from Phase I of the competition receive:

Coaching by Cartier managers, McKinsey consultants and INSEAD alumni to prepare for the presentation of their detailed business plans
An invitation for the team-leader to the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society, the ideal environment to establish contacts and approach top business leaders

The five winners receive:

US $20,000 per team from Cartier to fund their projects Coaching for the team leader by Cartier, McKinsey & Company and INSEAD for a full year following the awards ceremony
The Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards Troph
One year of subscription to INSEAD’s alumni newsletter for entrepreneurship

In addition, candidates will gain media exposure for their projects.

Application and fine print are on the Cartier Women’s Initiative website

Application deadline: February 15, 2008

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Posted in Women Only, Worldwide Eligible, BusinessPlan Competition

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