Aurora Tech Award 2026 Seeks to Empower Women Founders in Tech
The Aurora Tech Award 2026 is now accepting applications from women founders of early-stage tech startups, offering $85,000 in prizes and mentorship to foster innovation and gender equality in the tech industry.
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 accelerate the growth of women-led startups that are developing scalable, socially impactful solutions across various tech sectors.
Eligibility for the award requires startups to be founded or co-founded 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. Applications are open from August 12 to November 12, 2025, with details available at auroratechaward.com.
The 2025 edition of the award saw a record-breaking 2,018 applications from 116 countries, doubling the previous year's submissions. This surge underscores the growing recognition of the award as a pivotal platform for women entrepreneurs in tech. Winners will not only receive financial support but also gain access to a curated network of investors, strategic partners, and inDrive's global expertise, providing a comprehensive ecosystem for growth and international scaling.
Isabella Ghassemi-Smith, Head of the Aurora Tech Award, emphasized the award's role as a springboard for women founders from emerging markets, offering more than just funding but also the tools and networks necessary to shape the future of industries. Past participants, like Shreya Prakash and Thais Sterenberg, have highlighted the award's impact, from providing essential funding to amplifying the voices of 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 sector. With the 2026 edition, the award continues to champion the cause of women entrepreneurs, offering them a platform to showcase their innovations and scale their ventures globally.