In 2006, iconic jewelry house Cartier first launched the Women's Initiative, a global competition to support women-owned businesses that are making a positive social impact. Since its inception, the program has become the world's leading women's entrepreneurship initiative: more than $3 million has been awarded to date, supporting more than 240 women-led businesses and contributing to more than 7,000 new jobs.

Today, new winners were announced: out of 1,200 applications, a total of seven outstanding women, one from each region of the world, were selected; the benefits of the CWI extend beyond the top winners: 14 runners-up will each receive a $30,000 investment and all 21 finalists will receive business mentoring and networking opportunities to help them develop.

Below, we highlight seven awe-inspiring women who stood out in business this year:

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