The Aurora Tech Award, an international prize aimed at female tech founders and startups, recently highlighted the achievements of five female entrepreneurs during the Lagos Startup Week. This initiative, in collaboration with inDrive, aims to bridge the funding gap and promote equality in tech entrepreneurship for women.
Highlights from the Event
Global Participation:
– Application Pool: The award received 649 applications from female tech founders worldwide, showcasing a diverse range of innovative ideas and businesses.
– Winner Announcement: Nigerian entrepreneur Folake Owodunni, CEO & Founder of Emergency Response Africa, emerged as the top winner, securing $30,000 in funding.
Support and Opportunities:
– Beyond Funding: In addition to the cash prize, winners receive mentorship, access to a global network of investors, and media exposure to help scale their ventures.
Empowering Discussions:
– Fire Chat Session: Sponsored by the Women Who Launch Track of the Lagos Startup Week, this session featured insights from Somachi Chris-Asoluka, CEO of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.
– Panel Session: Themed “Aurora Tech Award: Female Founded, Female Funded,” the panel included Mercy Akanno, Head of TEDx Lagos (Moderator), and the 2024 finalists:
– Eniola Edun, Co-founder, Gamr
– Ifeoma Nwobu, Co-founder/COO, Sendstack
– Jumoke Dada, Founder, Talieo
– Damilola Olokesusi, Co-founder/CEO, Shuttlers
– Olapeju Umah, Founder/CEO, MyFoodAngels
Reflections from the Participants
Ifeoma Nwobu, Co-founder/COO of Sendstack, praised the Aurora Tech Award for its role in mentoring and funding female founders. She emphasized the scarcity of gender-based support organizations in Nigeria and the value of the platform provided by Aurora Tech Award.
– Learning and Sharing: Nwobu highlighted the insightful nature of the panel, where young female founders shared practical experiences on starting a business. She noted the importance of such sessions for learning and networking.
The Aurora Tech Award’s recognition of female tech entrepreneurs at the Lagos Startup Week underscores the critical need for supportive platforms that promote gender equality in the tech industry. By providing funding, mentorship, and visibility, the Aurora Tech Award helps empower female founders to achieve greater success and make significant contributions to the tech ecosystem.
