8 AUGUST2025W MAN LEADERGLOBAL W MAN LEADERGLOBAL NEWS BITESThe Aurora Tech Award 2026, sponsored by inDrive, will give out $85,000 in prize money to women-founded startups leading innovation with social impact.Since 2021, the award has provided a global stage for women tech founders from emerging economies. This year, African founders dominated the competition for the third consecutive year, with Nigerian founder Solape Akinpelu taking away the $50,000 grand prize in 2025, out of a record 2,018 entries from 116 countries.The release of applications for the 2026 edition coincides with industry reports indicating that women-founded companies continue to attract less than 2 percent of worldwide venture capital investment.Run by global mobility platform inDrive, the program offers not only cash awards but also visibility to investors for women entrepreneurs who are addressing innovation and social challenges.The startups must be female or co-owned, have fewer than five years of operations, be at pre-seed stage, and have raised less than $6 million in total investment.The dates to remember are December 8, 2025, when the top 100 quarterfinalists will be revealed and the finalists in early 2026. The award ceremony will be held between March and April 2026.Besides the funding, finalists will receive inDrive's worldwide investor network, mentorship, and strategic resources specifically designed to scale globally. · AurTech Award 2026, with inDrive x AurTech partnership, will give $85,000 in cash awards to women-led startups combining innovation with social impact· Its awards started in 2021 as a global platform for female tech entrepreneurs in the developing worldAURORA TECH AWARD 2026 ANNOUNCES 85,000 DOLLOR PRIZE FOR WOMEN-LED STARTUPS
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