Jessica Rosner and Jennifer Elias Tech It Forward
The Cartier Women’s Initiative which helps women entrepreneurs is expanding into Israel for the first time this year, partnering with Tech it Forward. It makes perfect sense that Cartier would look to Israel for such new talent as Israel Startup Nation is at the center of the world’s high tech innovation and entrepreneurship. And Tech It Forward was itself established by two women entrepreneurs: Jennifer Elias and Jessica Rosner.
The Cartier Women’s Initiative is an annual international entrepreneurship program that aims to drive change by empowering women impact entrepreneurs. Founded in 2006, the program is open to women-run and women-owned businesses from any country and sector that aim to have a strong and sustainable social and/or environmental impact. Applications are now open for the 2023 edition.
Through the Cartier Women’s Initiative, early-stage, for-profit enterprises aiming to solve the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges are provided with financial, social, and human capital support. Since its inception, the initiative has supported 262 women impact-driven entrepreneurs from 62 countries and has awarded a total grant of $6,440,000 to support their businesses.
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Founded in 2016, Tech It Forward is the bridge between local entrepreneurs and startups and the people out there who have the money to invest – VC funds and angel investors. It acts as sort of a travel agency for business people looking to invest in Israel. The firm does all of the leg work in putting together the trips, conferences, networking events, pitching events, mentorship programs, and meetings, connecting international startups, large corporations, technology consultants, and private investors with Israel’s startup ecosystem.
Jennifer Elias explained to Jewish Business News why Tech it Forward finds Cartier Women’s Initiative to be of such importance. “Organizing innovation programs in Israel for the last 6 years, we have noticed that many talented women wouldn’t apply or pitch as much as men founders,” she said. “One of the main powerful aspects about the Cartier Women’s Initiative is that it doesn’t only support women led impact ventures financially, but provides a tailored mentorship program that will give the entrepreneurs practical skills and a supportive community.”
Jessica Rosner said that in her mind the two most pressing issues society is dealing with today are the global warming crisis and growing social inequality worldwide. “What we love about the Cartier Women’s Initiative is that on top of empowering women entrepreneurs and women owned businesses, which are close to our heart, it also only selects ventures answering these pressing global needs,” she told JBN. “And women really do have fascinating and wonderful solutions with great impact.”
