LonglistAbout inDrivePartnersFintech TrackTimelineMentorsFinalistsWinners
Apply now

Enter the Aurora Open Call
and bring your vision to the global stage

Get funding, access to investors, and media exposure

Apply now
Exclusive
for female
founders
A worldwide prize for women founders of tech startups created and supported  by inDrive

$85,000 prize fund

Providing financial support for the Top 3 winners

Networking opportunities

Building a community for women in IT

At inDrive, we challenge social injustice by fostering impactful connections.
Our goal is to address gender inequality in the venture world and help your startup succeed in the global market.
Read more
The Aurora Tech Award is an annual global prize set up by inDrive for women entrepreneurs in IT.
We invite you to participate this year and level up your product’s potential along the way.  We're interested in your company and your journey as a founder.  Join The Aurora Tech Award and become a role model for women in IT worldwide.

Only 2.3%

of venture funding  goes to women-led startups

34%

of female founders reported burnout in a 2023 research

3,491

female founders applied to the Aurora Tech Award

5x growth*

of business revenue in a year boosted by participation in the Aurora Tech Award
*Growth rate provided by Marie-Reine Seshie, 2023 Aurora Tech Award finalist
To learn more about the gap between men and women founders of startups in different countries, check out our latest research:
Women in tech
*Growth rate provided by Marie-Reine Seshie, 2023 Aurora Tech Award finalist
To learn more about the gap between men and women founders of startups in different countries, check out our latest research:
Women in tech

Our partners

Our partners from VC funds provide valuable feedback for the longlist applicants, and our community partners make sure that more people get to know about Aurora Tech Award.

View all partners
View all partners
WINNER
2023

Elizabeth Mwangi

Gwiji for Women
Kenya
“This means a lot not just to me, but to women that I work with. The impact of this moment will be felt for generation. It’s going to ensure that their children go to school, they are fed. And we are going to break the cycle of poverty in Kenya.”
Read more

Award calendar

August 12, 2025

Open call starts

November 12, 2025

Open call ends

December 8, 2025

Top 100 Female Founders Announced (Quarterfinalists)

January 14, 2026

Top 30 Female Founders Announced (Semifinalists)

February 16, 2026

Top 10 Female Founders Announced (Finalists)

February 23 – March 13, 2026

Mentorship Program for the Finalists

March 28 –
April 1, 2026

Award Ceremony (Exact Date TBD)

The date and location of the ceremony will be announced no later than February 1, 2026.

What
Aurora Tech Award offers you

What Aurora Tech Award
offers you

Guidance
from inDrive's executives and industry experts for the shortlist participants
Useful feedback
from Venture Capital experts for the longlist participants
Media representation
for the shortlist participants
A safe space
to expand your professional network
Subscribe
Cash prizes for an extended winners list
First prize
$50,000
Second prize
$20,000
Third prize
$15,000

Rules

To participate, your startup is required to…
  • Be founded or co-founded and led by a woman
  • Have a functional prototype of a product
  • Fit in the investment limit of $6 million in funding, including the seed round
  • Be less than 5 years old
  • Provide a presentation in the English language
We search for startups that aim to make a positive difference in people's lives.
For full terms and conditions, please refer to this.
The 2025 Global Open Call is now on
Submit your application by November 12.

Join an inspiring community of women in IT

And get valuable materials for your startup through our bi-weekly newsletters.

Subscribe to newsletter

Follow us on social media for full access to our insights and the Aurora Tech Award updates.