InDrive, a front-runner in urban services and mobility, has recently rolled out the third installment of its globally-recognized Aurora Tech Award. This laudable initiative champions female-led startups in the IT sector, bestowing upon them cash prizes, invaluable mentorship, and the recognition they deserve.
- Duration for Applications: From 5 September to 1 December 2023
- Finalists Announcement: 31 January 2024
- Winner Declaration: 8 March 2024
- Prize Breakdown:
- First Prize: $30,000
- Second Prize: $20,000
- Third Prize: $10,000
- Eligibility: Open to participants from all countries where InDrive has a presence.
Jury of the Aurora Tech Award
The selection panel for this year’s award comprises eminent female techpreneurs hailing from diverse backgrounds and geographic locations. A notable juror, Mai Medhat, is an Egyptian trailblazer who founded Eventtus, a leading event management and networking platform.
A Catalyst for Gender Equality
Ekaterina Smirnova, the Executive Director of the Aurora Tech Award, passionately shared her views on the award’s broader societal impacts. She emphasized, “This award functions as a beacon of change in the tech realm, where gender disparity is an enduring issue. Our aim is manifold — to empower women, dismantle existing barriers, and kindle aspirations in young minds. We remain committed to spotlighting talents making transformative societal impacts and serving as exemplary figures. The horizon we envision is one where gender ceases to curtail possibilities. Through this award, we reaffirm our commitment to gender parity and tread a path towards a more inclusive and innovative future.”
A Spotlight on 2023’s Aurora Tech Award
The 2023 Aurora Tech Award illuminated the evolving tech scene in Africa, particularly underscoring the relentless endeavors of African female tech founders. Many nominations highlighted the feats of these dynamo women from nations such as Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda. Their innovative ventures are not merely tech-oriented but also community-driven, bridging critical gaps in areas like education, health, and financial services.
2023 Winners:
- First Place: Elizabeth Mwangi from Kenya, with her enterprise ‘Gwiji for Women’. This groundbreaking startup pairs cleaners from Nairobi’s slums with potential clients, creating an avenue of socio-economic growth.
- Second Place: Iva Gumnishka of Bulgaria, with ‘Humans in the Loop’, a data annotation service tailored for computer vision applications.
- Third Place: Namya Mahajan from India, who spearheaded ‘Rocket Learning’. This venture brings together teachers and parents in digital communities, fostering a holistic educational ecosystem.
Among the standout finalists was Carol Kakooza from Uganda. Her brainchild, the ‘aXiom Zorn Foundation’, is an exemplary platform connecting farmers in Uganda with critical business and financial services.
In the wake of the successes of 2023, the Aurora Tech Awards eagerly invites entries for the 2024 edition, fostering an environment of recognition and growth for women in the IT sector, setting the stage for another year of recognizing outstanding achievements, resilience, and innovation showcased by female leaders globally.
Envisioning a Future with Equal Representation
The Aurora Tech Award, in its essence, is more than just a recognition event. By honoring and supporting women techpreneurs, instigates a chain reaction of inspiration, prompting other women to venture into the field of IT, a domain still largely dominated by men.
According to a recent study, the tech sector has seen a steady increase in the number of female-led startups over the past five years, but the numbers remain disproportionate. The Aurora Tech Award hopes to accelerate this change, ushering in an era where talent and innovation hold more weight than gender biases.
The Bigger Picture: Impact Beyond Awards
Every startup and entrepreneur nominated for the Aurora Tech Award inherently becomes a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless other women. Their stories, struggles, and successes create a ripple effect, encouraging others to challenge the status quo and navigate the challenges of the tech world.
Looking beyond just the awards, the broader vision of the Aurora Tech Award is to create a global community of empowered women who uplift each other, share knowledge, and work collaboratively to bring forth technological solutions that address pressing societal issues.
In conclusion, as we anticipate the Aurora Tech Award 2024, it remains a testament to the strength, brilliance, and capability of women in the IT sector. The world watches with bated breath, ready to celebrate another cohort of visionary women leading the charge towards a more inclusive tech industry.
