Cover Fellows of the Cartier Women’s Initiative 2024

The annual international programme spotlights women-run and led businesses—the 2024 edition of the Cartier Women’s Initiative selects another fellow from Singapore

Founded in 2006, the Cartier Women’s Initiative is open to women-run and owned businesses from any country and industry that aims to drive change. Applicants are reviewed and selected by an independent jury formed of impact investors, venture philanthropists, academic experts and fellows from prior editions.

The fellowship programme selects trailblazers from diverse sectors and regions, acknowledging their innovative approaches and dedication to addressing global challenges. This year, Cartier spotlights 27 fellows across nine regions—including Europe, North America, Africa, Southeast and Central Asia—and another six fellows for two thematics awards: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Science and Technology Pioneer.

The 2024 edition sees the first Singaporean nominated for the latter category, Dr Lynne Lim.

Don’t miss: Cartier Women’s Initiative 2023: Meet the fellows from across Asia

Tatler Asia
Above Dr Lynne Lim is the second Singaporean honouree of the Cartier Women’s Initiative

Lim is the founder of NousQ, a medical device company that designs, develops and manufactures novel medical technology products. Its focus is on innovation and optimisation of healthcare delivery, both for existing patients and those who are unable to access proper healthcare.

NousQ’s hero product is Clikx, the world’s first robotic handheld applicator that revolutionises ventilation ear tube surgery for otitis media. Lim dreamt up Clikx while on a humanitarian medical mission to rural Cambodia and realised the necessity of such a portable device for outpatient medical aid.

Above Introduction to Clikx by NousQ, a robotic and automated handheld applicator for ventilation ear tube surgery

For her work in the medical sector, Lim is the second Singaporean to be honoured by the Cartier Women’s Initiative after Mint Lim was selected in last year’s edition.

Lim is the first woman impact entrepreneur from Singapore to be recognised by the programme, for founding enrichment centre and social enterprise School of Concepts (SOC). SOC was established to provide access to quality English language education to every child regardless of socioeconomic background or learning needs. The educational institution has gone on to adapt its proprietary VAK (visual/auditory/kinesthetic) approach to educational programmes in financial and Chinese literacy, and STEM.

Tatler Asia
Above Mint Lim on the cover of Tatler Singapore’s August 2023 issue

The Cartier Women’s Initiative symbolise a commitment to fostering gender equality in entrepreneurship by celebrating and elevating outstanding women leading impactful businesses. It is distinguished by its focus on innovation, sustainability, and social impact. This year’s awards ceremony will take place in May in Shenzhen, China, where one winner will be announced from each of the regional categories as well as from each of the two thematic awards.

First-place awardees will take home USD$100,000 in grant funding, while second and third-place awardees receive USD$60,000 and USD$30,000 respectively. As part of the programme, all fellows will benefit from mentoring and coaching, media exposure and networking opportunities to help enhance and boost the positive impact of their businesses.

Read more: How entrepreneur Jiwon Park challenged the patriarchy, tackled online abuse and is empowering women to take charge of their sexual wellness

Below, meet the rest of this year’s Asia-based fellows who are leveraging business as a force for good.

Emily Yu of Ginger Ah, China
Jiwon Park of SAIB, South Korea
Xintong Du of VoiceChanger, China
Ira Guha of Asan Products, India
Mansi Jain of DigitalPaani, India
Marina Tran-Vu of EQUO, Vietnam
Akshita Sachdeva of Trestle Labs, India

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