Five entrepreneurs receive the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards 2007

Launched in 2006 by Cartier and the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society in partnership with McKinsey and INSEAD management school, the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards are an annual international recognition for innovative female entrepreneurs.

Five promising entrepreneurs received yesterday the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards for the first time. After a tough competition in 2 rounds, they were selected among 15 Finalists for the creativity, sustainability and impact of their projects.
The Awards Ceremony was held at the annual Women's Forum for the Economy and Society in Deauville, France.

The prize includes coaching support for a full year, a US$ 20 000 grant and a subscription to INSEAD's newsletter for entrepreneurship.

The 2007 Laureates are:

• Laureate for Africa

Lucie Avoaka, project Santa Maria Medical Center (Côte d'Ivoire), healthcare provider in the underprivileged region of Abobo.
For the pragmatic approach of the Center and its ambition to include low-income patients while building a sustainable business.

• Laureate for Asia

Nandini Pandhi and Yasmina McCarty, project GreenMango (India), a mobile phone and internet-based virtual marketplace for low-income entrepreneurs and their customers in developing countries.
For Green Mango's innovative social networking concept and its high growth potential.

• Laureate for Europe

Bettina Götzenberger, project LOmasLEGAL (Spain), low-cost legal services available from high-street stores, over the phone, and via internet.
For successfully applying the low-cost concept to an important social awareness mission.

• Laureate for Latin America

Antonia Sanin, project The Globe (Colombia), day-care center for children aged 3 to 6 which offers educational products and services developed from the experiences learned at the centre (workshops, manuals, blog...).
For the educational mission of the Globe and the creativity of its multimedia products.

• Laureate for North America

Angel Chang, project Angel Chang LLC (USA), luxury apparel with "performance" elements and functional designs: special stain-proof, wrinkle-free and odor-free material, color-changing silkscreen prints, 3-D optical illusion prints, fiber optics etc.
For the futuristic approach of the line, the understanding of women's changing needs.

To see the complete profiles of the Laureates, Finalists and Jury members, visit: www.cartierwomensinitiative.com

Download here the press releases of these awards in English and French