Startup Lady Announces the First “Startup Lady Award,” Honoring Women Entrepreneurs and Those Who Support Their Journeys
Celebrating bold challenges and showcasing the next generation of role models
Startup Lady Association will hold the “Startup Lady Award 2026” in October 2026 to recognize women entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs and organizations addressing social challenges, as well as investors and others who support their journeys. Applications will open on September 1, 2026.
The award aims to highlight the achievements and initiatives of women entrepreneurs and those working to address social challenges, while also recognizing the contributions of the people who support their growth. By sharing their stories with a wider audience, Startup Lady seeks to showcase the next generation of role models and inspire others to take on new challenges.
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Tokyo boutique of Gemmyo, a French modern jewelry maison and partner of the Startup Lady Award, in Omotesando. Each award recipient will receive a custom-made piece of jewelry from Gemmyo in recognition of their achievements.
If an award recipient is male, a unisex jewelry option will also be available.
Background of the Startup Lady Award
Since launching its activities in 2016, Startup Lady has worked to empower women entrepreneurs and next-generation leaders under its vision of “creating an international community and startup ecosystem where women entrepreneurs can pursue their ambitions while staying true to themselves.”
Through our work with women entrepreneurs and the people who support them, we have witnessed countless moments when one person’s challenge inspires another to take the next step. At the same time, there are still limited opportunities for these efforts—and the contributions of those who make them possible—to be widely recognized and celebrated.
To address this, Startup Lady established the “Startup Lady Award 2026” as a new initiative to honor both those who take on challenges and those who support them, while sharing their stories with society and highlighting a new generation of role models.
Through the Startup Lady Award, we aim not only to recognize individual achievements, but also to pass on the experiences and aspirations behind them to future challengers, inspiring more people to think, “I want to take on a challenge, too.”
Award Partner: Gemmyo
Gemmyo, a French modern jewelry maison participating as an award partner, was founded in 2011 following its founder’s own experience searching for an engagement ring.
Founders Pauline Laigneau and Charif Debs launched the brand with a vision to create the jewelry maison they truly wanted, unconstrained by traditional industry conventions or established ideas. Since then, Gemmyo has continued to grow as an independent jewelry maison that embraces an entrepreneurial spirit and offers a new vision of luxury rooted in contemporary values.
One of the main reasons Gemmyo decided to support the Startup Lady Award is its strong connection with the award’s philosophy of shining a light on “those who take on challenges, those who support them, and the stories behind their journeys.” We believe that beyond results and achievements, it is each individual’s aspirations and journey that make a challenge more meaningful, resilient, and powerful.
Gemmyo’s brand philosophy is “Jewelry with Intention.” As a jewelry maison that creates pieces designed to accompany people through meaningful moments in their lives, Gemmyo seeks to celebrate the unique stories of women taking on new challenges and to support them along their journeys.
Application Period and Schedule
Applications open: September 1, 2026
Application method: Open call
Selection process: One recipient from each category will be selected through an initial application screening and a final selection process (tentative).
Award ceremony: October 28th 2026
Venue: Gemmyo Tokyo Boutique, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Eligibility
- Women founders and entrepreneurs
- Investors, mentors, companies, and individuals who support women entrepreneurs*
- Entrepreneurs and organizations working to address social challenges*
Entrepreneurs and organizations working to address social challenges*
Award Categories
The Startup Lady Award consists of the following three categories, with one recipient selected in each category:
- Entrepreneur Award
- Investor Award
- Social Impact Award
Each award recipient will receive a certificate of recognition as well as a custom-made piece of jewelry from award partner Gemmyo in recognition of their achievements.
Please apply using the application form below.
A separate application form must be submitted for each award category. If you wish to apply for two categories, please submit the form separately for each category.
*Application information will be used only to the extent necessary for the selection and administration of the Startup Lady Award.
*Please review and agree to the event Terms of Use before submitting your application.
*If you are selected as a finalist or award recipient, your name, affiliation, profile, photograph, activities, and other relevant information may be featured on the websites, social media channels, press releases, and other communications of the Startup Lady Award, Startup Lady, and its partners.
About Startup Lady
Startup Lady Association is a Japan-based accelerator specializing in the development of women entrepreneurs and next-generation leaders. Under its vision of “creating an international community and startup ecosystem where women entrepreneurs can pursue what they want to do while staying true to themselves,” Startup Lady focuses on three core missions: education, inspiration, and community.
Through its unique bilingual community, networks, and development programs, Startup Lady aims to foster globally minded women equipped with an entrepreneurial mindset.
About Gemmyo
Gemmyo is an independent French jewelry maison offering a new vision of luxury rooted in contemporary values. All of its creations are designed in France and crafted to order.
The brand is distinguished by its personalized customer experience, digitally driven business model, fully integrated distribution system, and fair and transparent pricing. Gemmyo currently operates a total of nine boutiques across Europe and Tokyo and is supported by an international clientele.
Website（https://www.gemmyo.com/ja/）
Instagram（https://www.instagram.com/gemmyo/）
LinkedIn（https://www.linkedin.com/company/gemmyo/）