Science & Technology Pioneer Award - Cartier Women's Initiative

Overview of the Science & Technology Pioneer Award - Cartier Women's Initiative program:

The Science & Technology Pioneer Award is a thematic award under the Cartier Women’s Initiative, designed to recognize and support early-stage, women-led, and impact-driven businesses rooted in deep tech or scientific discovery. It targets women entrepreneurs who are using technology or scientific breakthroughs as a foundation for their ventures, aiming to generate strong social or environmental impact. The program is international in scope and welcomes applicants from all over the world, including Canada. This award stands out by celebrating innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotech, nanotech, and other scientific advancements. Its goal is to create a supportive platform for women in science and tech, helping them scale their operations and amplify their impact. Winners benefit from financial support, personalized business mentoring, media visibility, and access to a global community of peers and professionals. Importantly, this award is not industry-specific—it focuses instead on the innovative nature and impact of the technology being used. 1st place: $100,000 USD 2nd place: $60,000 USD 3rd place: $30,000 USD In addition to the cash prize, awardees receive tailored mentoring, training, and international exposure.

Benefits of the Science & Technology Pioneer Award - Cartier Women's Initiative program:

• Substantial, equity-free cash awards up to $100,000 USD
• Tailored mentoring and coaching
• Access to INSEADs Social Entrepreneurship Program
• Media visibility and international exposure
• Entry into a global network of impact entrepreneurs and thought leaders
• Ongoing peer learning and collaborative opportunities
• Support for scaling the impact of the venture through business resources

Eligibility criteria of the Science & Technology Pioneer Award - Cartier Women's Initiative program:

• Must be a woman founder or co-founder leading the company
• Applicants company must use deep science or advanced technology as a core part of the business
• Must be early-stage (between 1 and 6 years of operation)
• Business must be impact-driventied to social, environmental, or economic challenges
• Open to any nationality or country, including Canada
• Founder must be at least 18 years old as of the application year
• Must be proficient in English, as all materials and communication are in English