InDrive has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Aurora Tech Award, a prize designed to celebrate women founders of technology startups. Submissions are open from 12 August to 12 November 2025, giving entrepreneurs from around the world a chance to spotlight their innovations.
The award, first launched in 2021, recognises women-led startups that use technology to drive social change and disrupt industries. In recent years, it has gained international attention for shining a light on underrepresented voices. Remarkably, African women entrepreneurs have won the prize for three consecutive years.
A Platform for Women Entrepreneurs
Speaking about the award’s mission, Isabella Ghassemi-Smith, Head of the Aurora Tech Award, said: “The Aurora Tech Award is more than a prize; it’s a springboard for the next generation of bold women founders from emerging markets. We provide not just funding, but access to top investors, global networks, and the tools to help scale ventures that will shape the future of entire industries.”
The 2025 edition attracted a record-breaking 2,018 applications from 116 countries, doubling the previous year’s figures. Innovators from Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Asia-Pacific competed with ideas in fintech, AI, agrotech, edtech, and health tech. Nigeria’s Solape Akinpelu emerged as the overall winner.
Reflecting on her victory, Akinpelu said: “Winning the Aurora Tech Award proved that African women founders can thrive on the global stage. The funding, mentorship, and exposure transformed my organisation’s growth. I urge women innovators across Africa to apply; your ideas deserve to be seen and celebrated.”
Prize, Eligibility, and Timeline
The 2026 Aurora Tech Award will reward three winners with $50,000, $20,000, and $15,000 respectively. Beyond funding, finalists will gain mentorship, access to investors, and international visibility through inDrive’s network.
To qualify, startups must be women-led, younger than five years, at pre-seed stage with a working prototype, and have raised less than $6 million in funding.
Key dates include the announcement of the Top 100 on 8 December 2025, semi-finalists in early 2026, and the final award ceremony in March–April 2026.
Apply here.
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