Applications have opened for The Science & Technology Pioneer Award 2027 which recognizes women impact entrepreneurs at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation. This award highlights disruptive solutions built around unique, protected, or hard-to-reproduce technological or scientific advances that require heavy research and development (R&D), a long commercialization cycle, high capital intensity, technology risk, and complexity.
This award is especially dedicated to recognizing women impact entrepreneurs at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation. The award is Open to women entrepreneurs from any country and sector, this award highlights disruptive solutions built around unique, protected, or hard-to-reproduce technological or scientific advances that require heavy R&D, a long commercialization cycle, high capital intensity, technology risk, and complexity.
The Cartier Women’s Initiative team, its partners and the jury will treat all business information submitted with utmost confidentiality. Aside from a brief summary (business name, brief description, field of industry) of the businesses selected, no individually identifiable information will be made available to the public without the prior authorization of the applicant.
If your business is shortlisted, you will be asked to provide additional supporting documentation. Unfortunately, due to a high volume of applications we are unable to provide individual feedback to non-finalists.
CORE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To apply, your business and background must meet these requirements:
Leadership Role: The applicant must be a woman and fill a top management position (e.g., CEO, COO, Founder).
Ownership: The business must be majority-owned by the founders and team members at the time of application.
Traction & Age: The business must be an original concept (not a franchise or spin-off) with an initial revenue model, and it must be in the early stages of operation.
Impact: The venture must be designed to have a strong and sustainable social or environmental impact, ideally aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
APPLICATION DATES & INSTRUCTIONS
The online application forms opened on April 16th, 2026 and it closes on June 16th, 2026 at 2pm Central European Summer Time (CEST).
First round of notification emails will be sent out in August 2026. All applicants will be notified by December 2026.
WHY APPLY?
FINANCIAL CAPITAL SUPPORT
• $ 100,000 USD grant for each first-place awardee
• $ 60,000 USD grant for each second-place awardee
• $ 30,000 USD grant for each third-place awardee
HUMAN CAPITAL SUPPORT
Human capital support is structured into a fellowship program which includes a combination of 1:1 training and collective workshops.
• Leadership communications and media training workshops
• In-person INSEAD Women’s Impact Entrepreneurship Program
• 1:1 training in specific business areas
• 1:1 executive leadership coaching by The Women’s Impact Alliance
SOCIAL CAPITAL SUPPORT
Throughout the program, we strive to highlight the social and environmental impact created by our fellows and bridge connections between women impact entrepreneurs and their supporters.
• International exposure and media visibility
• Support and mentorship by jury members during the fellowship
• Access to a lifelong community of 500+ active community members
• Ongoing support for the development of the fellows’ impact businesses
WHO CAN APPLY
The award is Open to Women Tech Entrepreneurs from any country and sector
HOW TO APPLY
Interested individuals, and women led startups can apply using the Link 👉 Here
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The final deadline for submission of applications is June 16th, 2026 at 2pm Central European Summer Time (CEST).
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