Cartier Women’s Initiative Seeks MENA Female Changemakers

The Cartier Women’s Initiative (CWI), an annual program run by French luxury house Cartier to support female impact entrepreneurs around the world, is now accepting applications for its 2026 edition.

Since its founding in 2006, the CWI has backed more than 300 women-led businesses in over 60 countries, offering them support not just from a financial perspective, but from the viewpoint of social and human capital as well.

The CWI features 10 award categories in total—nine of which are regional (Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa, Anglophone, and Lusophone Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, East Asia, South Asia and Central Asia, and Oceania), and one thematic, the Science and Technology Pioneer Award.

Each category crowns three winners, with first-place awardees receiving a grant worth US$100,000, second-place awardees receiving $60,000, and third-place awardees receiving $30,000. In addition to benefiting from media visibility, networking opportunities, and access to the CWI community, the program’s fellows also get to participate in a training program in impact entrepreneurship (run by French business school INSEAD), leadership communication, and specific business topics, as well as executive coaching.

For those from the MENA looking to apply to be a part of the new edition of CWI, it’d be worth their while to hear from the program’s past fellows from the region, and the general consensus from them is that this is a transformative experience—not just for their businesses, but for their own growth as entrepreneurs. As an example, consider Rama Kayyali, co-founder of Jordan-based edtech company Little Thinking Minds, which creates advanced Arabic language literacy solutions for school-aged children around the world. Besides being selected as an awardee by CWI in 2014, Kayyali was also declared a winner of the program’s special Impact Awards edition for 2025, which recognized former fellows whose ventures have achieved significant and measurable impacts.

Rama Kayyali, co-founder, Little Thinking Minds.

Looking back on her initial experience with the CWI program, Kayyali paints it as having been “a pivotal moment” in her entrepreneurial journey. “At the time, we had a completely different product and business model,” Kayyali tells Inc. Arabia. “We were a small team of four [we are now 70], and I was still discovering my voice as a founder. It was also the first time I stepped into a truly global light, and I realized just how powerful it is to be seen, heard, and supported by a network of like-minded changemakers, many of whom were facing the same challenges I was navigating.”

“Before CWI, I often felt alone in the journey.” Kayyali continues. “But being embraced by such a strong, values-aligned community gave me confidence, clarity, and the validation I needed, not only personally but professionally. Having the Cartier/CWI brand behind us also added credibility as we began fundraising and scaling. Over the years, our business has matured, our impact has deepened, and I’ve grown significantly as a leader. I haven’t always had the time to lean into the community as much as I wanted, since running a company and raising a family can be all-consuming, but knowing it was there has always been grounding.”

Now, having been recognized again by CWI for its Impact Awards edition this year, Kayyali feels reinforced in her commitment to give back to the community that has given her so much. “Being recognized as an Impact Awardee 11 years after first joining the CWI feels like a powerful full-circle moment,” Kayyali shares. “It’s a reflection not only of how far our company has come, but also of the quiet strength that comes from staying true to a mission over time. Since becoming a fellow, we’ve grown from a small local initiative into a regional leader, and recently exited to Seesaw Learning, a global US-based edtech company, one of the fastest growing globally. This recognition couldn’t have come at a more meaningful time. It affirms that what we’ve built matters, and that equity in Arabic education has a place on the global agenda. The award serves as a reminder that resilience and purpose go hand in hand, that deep, sustained impact is possible, even when the road is long.”

The new award is also spurring Little Thinking Minds to continue on its growth trajectory. “Looking ahead, I see this award as a platform to further amplify our mission, reach new communities, and continue reshaping what learning looks like for Arab children across the region and beyond,” she says. “For me personally, it’s also an opportunity for continued growth, deepening my connection to this incredible community, creating space for collaboration and shared learning, and finding meaningful ways to give back. It’s not just a recognition of the past, but an invitation to keep evolving.”

Rama Kayyali, co-founder, Little Thinking Minds.

All of this thus underscores the message Kayyali wishes to give other women in the MENA building impact-focused businesses who might not have yet thrown their hats in the ring to be selected as a CWI fellow. “If you’re a woman from the MENA region building a mission-driven business, apply,” Kayyali declares. “Don’t let self-doubt or imposter syndrome hold you back. CWI isn’t just a grant or a recognition; it’s a transformative experience that opens your eyes, stretches your thinking, and connects you with a powerful global community.”

As for advice she’d give her peers applying for this initiative, Kayyali urges them to go back to the basics. “Start with a problem you care deeply about,” she suggests. “Be clear about the change you want to create, and don’t be afraid to show your passion. Your authenticity is your superpower. Emerging markets need bold, homegrown solutions, and MENA women are uniquely positioned to lead them. We understand the complexities on the ground and have the resilience to navigate them. CWI offers global visibility, mentorship, credibility, and belonging. It’s a rare opportunity to grow both your business and yourself.”

Applications for the 2026 edition of CWI are open until 2pm (CEST) on June 24, 2025, and more information—including eligibility criteria and the application process—can be found on the program’s official website.

“Don’t miss the chance to be part of something bigger than your company,” Kayyali adds. “This is about movement-building, impact, and lasting community.”

Pictured in the lead image are the winners of the Cartier Women’s Initiative Impact Awards this year. All images courtesy Cartier.