University of Auckland alumnae named as Cartier Women’s Initiative Fellows

Simran Kaur

Two graduates of the University of Auckland have been named among this year’s Cartier Women’s Initiative Fellows. The prestigious global initiative is designed to shine a light on women impact entrepreneurs and provide them with the necessary financial, social and human capital support to grow their business and build their leadership skills.

Among this year’s cohort are food scientist and circular economy innovator Ninna Granucci, co-founder of Green Spot Technologies, and financial educator and media mogul Simran Kaur. Both are alumnae from the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE).

Established in 2006, the Cartier Women’s Initiative is a joint partnership project to encourage women entrepreneurs initiated by French luxury goods company Cartier, the Women’s Forum, management consultancy McKinsey & Company and INSEAD business school. The programme is open to women-run and women-owned businesses from any country and sector that aim to have a strong and sustainable social or environmental impact, however a very select few are chosen each year from across the globe.

Cartier Women’s Initiative Fellows are provided with communication and media training, education through an INSEAD Women Impact Entrepreneurship Program, customised mindset and leadership training, well-being coaching and more.

In 2024 a total of 27 women entrepreneurs from across the globe have been named as Fellows. They will meet at an awards ceremony in China in May.

CIE Director Darsel Keane says “It’s fabulous to see two past CIE programme participants among this year’s Cartier Women’s Initiative cohort. Their participation reflects the trends in behaviour we’re seeing on campus. A short decade ago, women made up around 23% of CIE programme participants and we’re now at a close to 50/50 split. One of the drivers of this has been our increase in impact entrepreneurship education offerings. We’ve seen women gravitating towards creating ventures that have the potential to make a social or environmental impact on the world.”

Professor Christine Woods, Director of the University of Auckland Business School’s Centre for Enterprising Women and a member of CIE’s Board of Advisors says “The work that Simran and Ninna are doing to address Sustainable Development Goals deserves recognition. It is wonderful to see the Cartier initiative offering support and growth opportunities to our CIE alumnae.”

Ninna Granucci – Green Spot Technologies

Green Spot’s patented fermentation process turns plant-based by-products such as peels, pulps, and hulls into nutritious, tasty powders that become food ingredients. Read more

Simran Kaur – Girls That Invest

Girls That Invest is a media platform that aims to close the wealth gap by teaching women about investing and finance. Read more