Aurora Tech Award 2026 Seeks to Empower Women Founders in Tech

The Aurora Tech Award 2026 has officially opened its doors for applications, inviting women founders of early-stage tech startups to compete for a share of $85,000 in prize money, alongside invaluable mentorship and support. This initiative, spearheaded by inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform, aims to spotlight and empower women entrepreneurs who are at the forefront of creating scalable, socially impactful tech solutions. Applications are being accepted from August 12 to November 12, 2025, through the official website auroratechaward.com.

Eligibility for the award requires startups to be founded or co-founded and led by a woman, be no more than five years old, and have a working prototype or early customer traction. Additionally, startups must be at the pre-seed or seed stage and have raised less than $6 million. The Aurora Tech Award not only provides financial support but also offers finalists access to a curated network of investors, strategic partners, and inDrive's global expertise, aiming to equip them with the tools necessary for international growth and scaling.

The 2025 edition of the award saw a record-breaking 2,018 applications from 116 countries, doubling the previous year's submissions and showcasing the diverse sectors within the tech industry, including AI, health tech, fintech, edtech, and agrotech. The 2026 awards will see the first prize winner receiving $50,000, with the second and third-prize winners awarded $20,000 and $15,000, respectively. Beyond the monetary prizes, the award serves as a platform for women founders to gain visibility, mentorship, and the resources needed to propel their startups forward.

Isabella Ghassemi-Smith, Head of the Aurora Tech Award, emphasized the award's role as a springboard for women founders from emerging markets, offering not just funding but also access to top investors and global networks. Past winners and finalists, like Shreya Prakash and Thais Sterenberg, have highlighted the award's impact in providing both financial support and a sense of validation and empowerment for women in tech.

The Aurora Tech Award is part of inDrive's broader impact initiatives, reflecting the company's commitment to fostering innovation and gender equality in the tech industry. With the 2026 edition, the award continues to champion the cause of women entrepreneurs, offering them a unique opportunity to scale their ventures and make a lasting impact on the tech landscape.