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Cartier Women's Initiative Awards
Funding for women-led impact businesses
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Funding available
$ 30,000 - $ 100,000
Location
Canada
Overview
The program awards up to USD 100,000 to women impact entrepreneurs selected from regional and thematic categories. It supports businesses with strong social or environmental impact through funding, fellowship support, and visibility.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop team skills
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Minimum amount : 30,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- From $ 50,000 to $ 5,000,000 in revenue
Organisation size
- 5-250 employees
Audience
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Development of impact-driven business solutions
- Science and technology innovation projects for the pioneer award
- Scaling businesses with social or environmental impact
Documents Needed
- One-minute video introduction
- Updated resume
- Company registration document
- Company capitalization table
- Most recent two years of financial statements
- Company pitch deck
Sources and recorded changes
- Source change captured
- Change recorded
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
CWI 2027 applications closed
The 2027 application windows are now closed, and direct apply-now links were removed from the Awards, Regional Awards, Science & Technology Pioneer Award, and FAQ pages.
Applications for the 2027 edition are now closed, replacing the prior open window that closed at 2 p.m. (CEST) on June 16, 2026. The Awards page also now says the 2026 fellows’ achievements were celebrated at the awards ceremony in Bangkok on June 10, 2026, rather than saying they will be celebrated. Direct apply-now portal links were removed from the Awards, Regional Awards, Science & Technology Pioneer Award, and FAQ pages, and workshop/register items were removed from the awards pages. The FAQ now points to the 20 years site with a Discover More link, and the Science & Technology Pioneer Award page now shows a supporting-documents section instead of the prior apply-now action link.
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Women impact entrepreneurs
- For-profit businesses
- Companies from any country and sector
- Regional award applicants from the nine listed regions
- Women-led deep tech startups for the Science & Technology Pioneer Award
Who is not eligible
- Non-profit organizations
- Sole proprietorships without a separate legal entity
- Spin-offs, subsidiaries, and franchises of existing companies
- Businesses that have already raised Series A for the Science & Technology Pioneer Award
- Businesses previously selected in the program
Eligible geographic areas
- Latin America and the Caribbean
- North America
- Europe
- Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa
- Anglophone and Lusophone Africa
- Middle East and North Africa
- East Asia
- South Asia and Central Asia
- Oceania
- Any country worldwide for the Science & Technology Pioneer Award
Selection criteria
- Technological innovation or impact intentionality
- Embedded positive impact and measurement
- Market analysis, fit, and competitive advantage
- Sustainable business and financial model
- Team strength and leadership character
How to apply
- Step 1: Create a Submittable account
- Register using your own or shared company email.
- Log in to access the online application form.
- Step 2: Complete the online form
- Answer all required questions in English.
- Save drafts if needed before submission.
- Step 3: Upload supporting documents
- Attach the required video, resume, registration document, capitalization table, financial statements, and pitch deck.
- Step 4: Submit online
- Send the completed application through the portal before the deadline.
- Applications by mail or email are not accepted.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are first shortlisted.
- Shortlisted applicants undergo due diligence.
- Finalists present to the jury for review.
- The jury ranks the top three candidates per category.
- Applicants are notified of the final results by December 2026.
Additional information
- Applications must be submitted in English.
- Only one application per business per year is accepted.
- Shortlisted applicants may be asked for additional documentation.
- Applicants must comply with the program’s Terms and Conditions.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards Program
What is the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards?
The program awards up to USD 100,000 to women impact entrepreneurs selected from regional and thematic categories. It supports businesses with strong social or environmental impact through funding, fellowship support, and visibility.
How much funding can be received?
Cartier Women's Initiative Awards Funds up to $100,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards program?
To be eligible for the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards program, you must:
Women-owned and women-led business
For-profit incorporated entity
Aligned with at least one SDG
Who can I contact for more information about the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards?
You can contact Cartier Women's Initiative (CWI) by email at applicants@cartierwomensinitiative.com.
Where is the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards available?
The Cartier Women's Initiative Awards program is available across Canada.
Is the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Cartier Women's Initiative Awards is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards?
Cartier Women's Initiative Awards is funded by Cartier Women's Initiative (CWI)