Introducing the 30 female entrepreneurs of the Cartier Women's Initiative (CWI) 2026, with a celebration to be held in Thailand.

In addition to regional awards, the Cartier Women's Initiative also presents a dedicated Science & Technology Pioneer Award to recognize entrepreneurs who leverage advanced science and technology to develop innovative, distinctive, and truly transformative solutions at the systemic level.

This year's entrepreneurs reflect the image of modern businesses that seamlessly integrate innovation, technology, and social responsibility, while showcasing the role of female entrepreneurship as a key driver of the future global economy. Among the award recipients, Cartier also unveiled outstanding entrepreneurs operating in Asia, reflecting the region's potential as a hub for global innovation, including:

Two of the three members from South and Central Asia in the Cartier Women's Initiative (CWI) 2026 (Thailand is included in this region) are Prakriti Gautam and Divya Kamekar.

Prakriti Gautam from Nepal, founder of Khetipati Organics, works with smallholder farmers, particularly women in rural areas, to develop sustainable organic agriculture and create a business ecosystem that connects production, processing, and market access. This model not only increases income and economic stability for communities but also plays a role in driving sustainable agriculture and strengthening the food supply chain in the long term.

Divya Kamekar from India is the founder of Pinky Promise, an AI-powered women's health platform that provides advice and connects users with safe and private sexual and reproductive health services. Its goal is to reduce information barriers, social vulnerability, and cost obstacles in developing countries. This business reflects the opportunities in the rapidly growing femtech and digital health market and demonstrates its crucial role in reducing the health disparity for women.

Simultaneously, the project announced the hosting of the Cartier Women's Initiative 2026 Global Awards Ceremony in Bangkok, reflecting Thailand's role as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in Southeast Asia, as well as the potential of its growing business ecosystem that connects women entrepreneurs worldwide. Hosting this event not only enhances Thailand's image as a hub for innovation and social enterprise but also provides opportunities to network with entrepreneurs, investors, and partners from diverse countries to drive collaboration and investment in businesses that create sustainable impact.

Over the past 20 years, the Cartier Women's Initiative has continuously evolved into a global platform playing a vital role in driving the “impact economy” by supporting women entrepreneurs who use business as a tool for change. Since its inception, the program has supported over 330 women entrepreneurs from 66 countries worldwide, providing over US$14.1 million in funding and building a robust network of more than 520 engaged entrepreneurs across more than 80 countries, reflecting the growth of a global community that plays a vital role in driving change in various dimensions.

In terms of outcomes, businesses that receive support tend to experience significant growth.
- 76% of the latest generation of members have seen an increase in income.
- 44% have expanded their businesses into new markets.
- 66% was able to raise additional funding, reflecting investor confidence.
*Survey results from project members in 2025.

This success is due to the comprehensive support approach of the Cartier Women's Initiative, which is not limited to funding but includes long-term capacity building through a one-year program designed in three key phases:

1) Preparing for communication and business.

2) Participating in world-class programs such as the INSEAD Women's Impact Entrepreneurship Program and...

3) In-depth development in leadership and business expansion.

Furthermore, the program has continuously developed a Fellowship model to create a community of “lifelong fellows” who can exchange knowledge, experiences, and business opportunities together over a lifetime. This is a key factor in helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses and expand their impact sustainably.

Building on its success, the Cartier Women's Initiative is opening applications for 2027 from April 16 to June 16, 2026, to discover and support women entrepreneurs worldwide with the potential to create systemic change and address key global challenges of the future. For women social entrepreneurs in Thailand, the opportunity to participate in this global community is once again open. Winners in each category will receive US$100,000 in funding, while second and third place winners will receive US$60,000 and US$30,000 respectively.

In addition to funding, selected candidates will receive comprehensive support, including business mentorship from internationally renowned experts, global media coverage, networking opportunities with entrepreneurs, investors, and partners across various industries, and participation in the INSEAD Women's Impact Entrepreneurship Program, one of the world's leading business programs celebrating its 20th anniversary.

The Cartier Women's Initiative clearly demonstrates that "women entrepreneurs" are not just a supported group, but are becoming a key engine driving the modern global economy, integrating sustainable business growth and social value creation in an increasingly complex world. The role of women entrepreneurs is therefore not just about building businesses, but about designing a new future for the economy and society. The Cartier Women's Initiative remains committed to being a platform that inspires, supports, and connects women worldwide to collaboratively create meaningful and lasting change.