Global mobility and urban services platform inDrive has officially opened applications for the 2026 Aurora Tech Award, an international prize dedicated to supporting women-led startups in technology.
The Aurora Tech Award was created to spotlight the boldness, creativity, and resilience of women entrepreneurs driving innovation in emerging markets. With less than 2% of global venture capital funding going to female founders, the initiative seeks to bridge that gap by providing not only funding but also access to mentorship, investor networks, and global visibility.
A Global Platform for Women in Tech
Now in its sixth edition, the Aurora Tech Award has grown into one of the most impactful global recognition platforms for women entrepreneurs. The 2025 edition attracted 2,018 applications from 116 countries, showing just how important such platforms are for women innovators.
Winners of the award gain more than financial prizes — they gain entry into a network of global investors, high-level mentorship, and international media exposure that can accelerate their startup’s growth.
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Cash prizes include:
- 1st Place: $50,000
- 2nd Place: $20,000
- 3rd Place: $15,000
In addition, selected finalists benefit from a structured mentorship programme and gain credibility that opens doors to new partnerships and funding.
The Fintech Track: Special Focus on Financial Inclusion
For 2026, the Aurora Tech Award has introduced a dedicated fintech track, targeting startups working to improve financial inclusion. Winners in this category will not only receive expert mentorship but may also access inDrive.Money’s customer base, plus a promotional campaign worth up to $20,000.
This creates a huge opportunity for African startups in the fintech space, where access to finance and digital financial inclusion remain pressing challenges.
Key Dates Entrepreneurs Should Note
Applications Opened: August 12, 2025
Deadline for Applications: November 12, 2025
Top 100 (Quarter-Finalists) Announcement: December 8, 2025
Finalists & Mentorship Phase: February – March 2026
Award Ceremony: March – April 2026
Women founders are encouraged to submit their applications early to avoid last-minute rush and ensure all eligibility requirements are met.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, startups must meet the following requirements:
- Founded or co-founded by a woman who holds a leadership role
- Operating for less than 5 years
- Have a minimum viable product (MVP) or working prototype
- Be at pre-seed or seed stage with less than $6 million raised in funding
African women entrepreneurs have already proven that the Aurora Tech Award is within reach. In 2025, Nigeria’s Solape Akinpelu, founder of Hervest, emerged as one of the winners, putting Nigeria on the global innovation map.
Sharing her experience, Solape said:
“Winning proved that African women founders can thrive on the global stage. I urge women innovators across Africa to apply — your ideas deserve to be seen and celebrated.”
Other past winners and finalists, such as Loretxu Garcia from Chile and Shreya Prakash from India, have echoed the same sentiment: the award is more than just money — it’s a springboard into a thriving global ecosystem of support.
Why This Matters for Women in Tech
The underrepresentation of women in technology, especially in Africa, is a challenge that initiatives like Aurora are helping to change. By spotlighting women innovators, the award provides them with validation, visibility, and the resources to scale their ideas.
Isabella Ghassemi-Smith, Head of the Aurora Tech Award, emphasised:
“The Aurora Tech Award is more than a prize; it’s a springboard for the next generation of bold women founders from emerging markets.”
How to Apply
Applications for the Aurora Tech Award 2026 are open until November 12, 2025. Women founders interested in scaling their ideas, gaining global exposure, and securing crucial startup funding can apply through the official website: Click Here.
