British female inventor prepares to sparkle
British female inventor prepares to sparkle at The Cartier International Women’s Awards
The woman behind one of the UK’s most successful new parenting inventions has been selected as one of three European finalists to compete in the final of a prestigious international business competition, the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards 2011.
Cara Sayer, 39, from Walton on Thames in Surrey, inventor of SnoozeShade, the multi-award-winning range of universal blackout blinds for prams, strollers and infant carriers, has been selected to compete in the final round in France.
Cara is one of 18 finalists from around the globe, selected from over 1000 applicants, who have been invited to pitch at the 2011 finals. In preparation for the event she has had to submit a detailed business plan and will present her project in front of a high-profile jury of international business figures. The judging panel includes international CEOs, chairwomen, government officials and entrepreneurs.
Six winners or Laureates will be chosen, each representing a different geographical region, so Cara has a one in three chance to win the European title. The successful six will each receive $20,000 of funding, one year of mentoring, networking opportunities and an impressive breadth of media exposure.
The finals take place over the next week in France, Cara will first spend several days in a business bootcamp in Paris. Then the action moves to Deauville and Cara must then pitch to the European judging panel on Wednesday 12 October for the chance to win.
The winners will be announced during the Awards Ceremony at the Annual Global Meeting of the Women’s Forum in Deauville, France, on October 14, 2011.
The Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards, which aims to identify, support and encourage projects by women entrepreneurs, were founded in 2006 by the world-famous jewellery house Cartier, the Women's Forum, McKinsey & Company and the INSEAD business school. Since then it has supported and coached 76 successful women, 20 of which were selected as the ultimate winners, known as the ‘Laureates’ and will have received the unique and comprehensive business support package.
Speaking about the imminent event Cara said: ‘I could not have been more thrilled or surprised when I heard that I was one of only three European women in the running to win such an incredible award... but I won’t pretend I’m not nervous! The Cartier Award really is the height of achievement and I can’t wait to meet the amazing entrepreneurial ladies I’ll be competing with.
She continued: ‘I will give this presentation my absolute all but, whatever happens, simply to have made it to the finals really is honour enough!’
www.snoozeshade.com
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