The global stage is once again set to spotlight women innovators as the Aurora Tech Award 2026 officially opens applications for female-led startups in technology.
Organised by inDrive, the annual international prize celebrates women founders building impactful tech-driven solutions. This year’s open call runs from August 12 to November 12, 2025, with winners set to share in a total prize fund of $85,000, alongside mentorship, investor access, and global media exposure.
Since its inception in 2021, the Aurora Tech Award has become a major platform championing women entrepreneurs, particularly in emerging markets. In recent years, African innovators have led the way: Nigeria’s Solape Akinpelu clinched the grand prize in 2025, while Kenya’s Elizabeth Mwangi and other women across the continent have been celebrated for driving social impact through technology.
What winners receive: First prize: $50,000, Second prize: $20,000, Third prize: $15,000, Tailored mentorship with industry experts, Access to global investors and networks, International media representation
Eligibility criteria: To qualify, startups must: Be founded or co-founded and led by a woman, Be less than 5 years old, have a working prototype of a product, Have raised no more than $6 million in total funding, submit a presentation in English.
Beyond the cash prizes, organizers emphasize that the award is designed as a springboard for long-term growth. “The Aurora Tech Award is more than a prize – it’s about giving women founders the visibility, resources, and networks to scale globally,” said Isabella Ghassemi-Smith, Head of the Aurora Tech Award.
Key dates for this year’s competition include the announcement of the Top 100 quarterfinalists on December 8, 2025, followed by Top 30 semifinalists in January 2026, and the Top 10 finalists in February 2026. Finalists will also take part in a mentorship program from February 23 to March 13, 2026, leading up to the award ceremony scheduled between March 28 and April 1, 2026.
Applications are open now on the official Aurora Tech Award website.