Championing female entrepreneurship: Entries for the 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award open in South Africa
A new era of bold leadership is here. The Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award returns for its fourth year in South Africa, shining a light once again on the visionaries, trailblazers, and risk-takers who are redefining industries. For over five decades, the Bold Woman Award has championed exceptional women in business, celebrating leaders who don’t just build companies but change the conversation globally. Since its inception in 1972, over 450 remarkable women have been honoured worldwide, joining a global community of Bold female leaders who thrive on innovation, resilience, and fearless ambition.
In 2025, a new chapter begins, offering opportunities for yet another generation of extraordinary female entrepreneurs. With two distinct categories—the Bold Woman Award for established leaders (more than 5 years in business) and the Bold Future Award for rising entrepreneurs (less than 5 years in business)—Veuve Clicquot continues to amplify the impact of women who challenge convention and propel industries forward. But this award is more than recognition; it’s a powerful platform for influence, visibility, and connection, offering unparalleled access to an inspiring global network of like-minded, determined women.
Madame Clicquot was just 27 when she took the reins of Maison Veuve Clicquot, in a time when women had no seat at the business table, nor the right to open a bank account. Instead of merely accepting the status quo and conforming to these limitations, she shattered the mold—she revolutionised the industry by pioneering vintage champagne, the riddling table, and the first known blended rosé. Her visionary spirit and relentless determination broke barriers, setting a precedent for generations of women to come—to this day, her story serves as a bold blueprint for modern entrepreneurs who dare to lead on their own terms.
As part of Veuve Clicquot’s mission to empower women in business, the Maison created the Veuve Clicquot Bold International Barometer—a pioneering study launched in 2019 to track the evolution of female entrepreneurship worldwide. The Barometer, which is a key pillar of the Bold by Veuve Clicquot programme, offers critical insights into the challenges, triumphs and mindset of women entrepreneurs, helping to shape the future of female leadership.
In South Africa, the appetite for entrepreneurship is strong. The latest findings reveal a compelling truth: South African women are driving business like never before. In 2023, 61% of South African women identified as entrepreneurs, with the highest participation among those aged 20 to 29. Despite the survey suggesting that the rate of global female entrepreneurship has slowed, the country defies the trend, standing out as a leader in female-driven business.
Now, the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award seeks to fuel this momentum. Businesswomen who are ready to be recognised for their business achievements are called to enter the 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award.
Entries open on 3 March and close on 13 April 2025.
HOW TO ENTER:
To enter the Bold Woman Award, candidates must be founders or CEOs of a company for more than five years, have demonstrated transformation and evolution in their field, and supported growth for at least two years while maintaining an ethical approach to business.
To qualify for the Bold Future Award, candidates must be the founders or CEOs of a company that has been in existence for less than five years. In that time, the candidate must have made a significant contribution to the success of their company by instilling a sense of entrepreneurship and have made a tangible contribution to transformation in an existing market, while bringing ethical change to the company.
Three finalists in each category will be selected by an esteemed jury and will be invited to attend the Bold Woman Award ceremony on 16 July where one laureate in each of the categories will be lauded by a grand jury.
The Bold Woman Award winner will travel to Reims, France, for an immersion in the history, tradition, and luxury of Maison Veuve Clicquot.
Entries open on 3 March and close on 13 April 2025. Business leaders and role models who are ready to be recognised for their remarkable success are invited to enter the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award by completing a simple form via boldopendatabase.com/en/bold-woman-award — the Bold Open Data Base connects and elevates female entrepreneurs globally, offering visibility, networking, and community support.
Applicants must be an official resident of South Africa and the business must be based in or operating in South Africa. The finalists will be selected by an independent panel of judges.