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Empowering Change: Cartier Women’s Initiative Celebrates 2024 Forum in Taipei
Since 2006, the Cartier Women’s Initiative (CWI) has supported women entrepreneurs working to solve big challenges around the world. This year, at the 2024 Ecosystem Forum in Taipei 101, CWI celebrated Lynne Lim, founder of NousQ and the 2024 award winner. Lynne’s invention, CLiKX, is a handheld device that allows ear procedures to be done in clinics without general anesthesia—a major improvement in healthcare. Each year, CWI selects women-led projects making a positive impact on society, the environment, and the economy, giving them grants, training, and access to a global network. By recognizing leaders like Lynne, CWI helps women make a lasting difference worldwide.
Over the last 17 years, CWI has recognized nearly 300 women entrepreneurs from 63 countries and awarded more than $9.5 million in grants. Through regional awards, Cartier encourages these women to expand their impact in areas like technology and social change.
Building Global Connections for Inclusion and Sustainable Impact
In 2022, Cartier expanded its dedication to inclusivity with the launch of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award, designed to support innovators from diverse backgrounds, industries, and genders. The award encourages fresh ideas that uplift underserved communities and create meaningful growth opportunities. At this year’s Ecosystem Forum held in Taipei, Cartier reinforced this mission, bringing together women founders who are redefining industries and building a more resilient future. Hosting the event at Taipei 101 highlighted Cartier’s commitment to advancing women’s leadership on a global scale, showing the world the power of women-led innovation in tackling today’s biggest challenges.
The forum welcomed entrepreneurs, media, government officials, and community partners, creating a dynamic space for insights and connection. Opening the event, Cartier Taiwan Managing Director Sally Wong said, “In the past 17 years, CWI has become a powerful force for good, driving real change across diverse industries. Together with Impact Hub, we aim to grow a strong local ecosystem of women entrepreneurs and changemakers, all driven by a shared vision for a better world.”
CWI Global Director Wingee Sin broke down the program’s support, explaining, “Our participants receive financial, human, and social capital. Financial support is essential—funding is often the toughest challenge in impact entrepreneurship.” Participants can receive grants up to $100,000 and access a unique low-interest loan for working capital. They also benefit from human capital, like INSEAD Business School training, skill-building sessions, and ongoing learning opportunities. Social capital, too, plays a big role, as media exposure helps them expand their impact. “We’re aiming to create role models for the next generation,” Wingee added, stressing Cartier’s vision to inspire more women to pursue impactful entrepreneurship.
Highlighting Women Entrepreneurs Across Fields
The forum featured three women leaders who shared their experiences in making a difference:
Lynne Lim, the founder of NousQ and a 2024 CWI awardee, introduced a groundbreaking device called CLiKX, a handheld tool enabling ear procedures to be performed in clinics without the need for general anesthesia. Reflecting on her journey, Lynne shared, “Our journey involved overcoming challenges in research, clinical trials, and international approvals. We couldn’t have done it without the support from partners, especially in the STEM field, where there are fewer women.”
Hannah Chou, founder of WEpreneurs and a longtime supporter of CWI, dedicates her work to creating networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Her organization focuses on fostering connections that support women in balancing family and career. “The visibility and opportunities from CWI have not only increased our reach but have also encouraged diversity in the business world,” she noted.
Elisa Chiu, CEO of Anchor Taiwan, established her organization to bridge Taiwan with global investors and promote innovation. Through her Women in Venture network, Elisa provides women entrepreneurs with funding, training, and strategic connections. She emphasizes the collective nature of entrepreneurship, saying, “Entrepreneurship should be a shared journey, building the future together through partnerships.”
In response to a question about promoting meaningful networking, Hannah Chou, founder of Wepreneurs, a 2015 CWI fellow and a 2024 jury member, highlighted her approach to fostering authentic connections that drive real change for women entrepreneurs. "This past May, we hosted an event focused on the salary gap between men and women in Taiwan's tech industry. The insights were revealing: while some women felt there was no disparity, the data showed a slight difference in salaries, and many women expressed frustration with limited opportunities for advancement. We invited headhunters to share their experiences and observations in the tech sector, which opened a valuable dialogue on the realities women face," Hannah Chou explained, emphasizing the importance of honest, data-backed discussions in promoting gender equity.
Lynne Lim, founder of NousQ and a 2024 CWI awardee, shared her journey in the fellowship program and its transformative impact on her work. "It’s a huge privilege to be selected among so many incredible entrepreneurs. The learning started even before the final selection. Through the five to six challenging rounds, my business plan strengthened, thanks to the rigorous feedback from panels who interviewed my team, my board, and even my end users. By the final round, I had a much clearer vision," Lynne Lim noted. She also credited CWI’s collaboration with INSEAD Business School for teaching her how to effectively measure and communicate impact. "The Cartier Women’s Initiative has also created a global community; now, with just a WhatsApp message, I can connect with any fellow from any year," she said, underscoring the long-lasting network CWI provides.
Asked about the future of Taiwan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Elisa Chiu highlighted the persistent challenges women face, especially in tech and investment sectors. “Despite having a female president, leadership roles in technology and investments remain largely male-dominated,” she observed. "When young girls only see men on stage, it’s harder for them to envision themselves there. That’s a barrier we have to break.” Elisa Chiu encouraged both men and women to be proactive in creating inclusive spaces, asking them to question event lineups, recommend qualified women, and use their influence to bring more women to the table. “If you’re the only woman in the room, invite others. And if you’re a man who notices the absence of women, you can be the one to spark that change," she urged.
In her closing remarks, Cartier Taiwan Managing Director Wingee Sin shared a conversation with Professor Subramanian Ragan from MCN Business School, reflecting on the difference between decisions and choices. "Many actions in life are mere decisions, but it’s the courageous choices that define us,” she said. “The Cartier Women’s Initiative is a choice Cartier made to support women impact entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs are making their own choice to address pressing social and environmental challenges that they feel compelled to solve."
Cartier’s dedication to supporting women entrepreneurs will continue at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, where a dedicated CWI pavilion will showcase these impactful ventures. The pavilion aims to inspire future generations of entrepreneurs and strengthen a global network of changemakers.
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