For the second consecutive year, Nigerian tech entrepreneur Solape Akinpelu has clinched the prestigious $30,000 Aurora Tech Award. Akinpelu, who is the founder of Hervest, a fintech platform that empowers African women, was announced as the 2025 winner during the grand finale in Cairo, held from April 11–13. This victory highlights the growing influence of Nigerian women in the global tech landscape, following the success of her compatriot, Folake Owodunni, who won the award in 2024.
Hervest: Empowering Underserved African Women
Akinpelu’s company, Hervest, stands at the forefront of financial inclusion, particularly for smallholder female farmers in Africa. Hervest’s platform provides underserved African women with access to savings, impact investing, and credit, enabling them to better manage their finances and invest in their businesses. The company has been pivotal in bridging the gender gap in the African fintech space, a sector traditionally dominated by men.
A Powerful Moment for Nigerian Women in Tech
The 2025 Aurora Tech Award ceremony was a monumental event, as Akinpelu’s win underscores the rising influence of Nigerian women in the global tech scene. This follows the victory of Folake Owodunni in 2024, further solidifying Nigeria’s role in shaping the future of innovation. The recognition of Akinpelu’s achievements comes at a time when the global tech industry is increasingly focused on diversity and inclusion, and women from across the world are leading the charge in various fields, from fintech to AI.
Other Notable Winners and Finalists
The Aurora Tech Award ceremony also honored other outstanding female innovators who are making significant strides in the tech industry. The first runner-up, Loretxu Garcia Arraztoa, founder of Nido Contech from Chile, and the second runner-up, Shreya Prakash, founder of FlexiBees from India, both earned significant recognition for their work in technology and innovation. Other notable finalists include Laura Velásquez Herrera, CEO of Arkangel AI from Colombia, and Leonie Korn, founder of UpLeap from Switzerland.
While Akinpelu walked away with the top prize of $30,000, the second and third places received $20,000 and $15,000, respectively. The fourth and fifth positions were awarded $10,000 each. The prize money is a vital boost for these entrepreneurs as they continue to grow their startups and scale globally.
Networking and Global Opportunities
In addition to the cash prizes, the winners of the Aurora Tech Award gain exclusive access to investors, industry leaders, and strategic partners who can provide the resources and support needed to take their businesses to the next level. The winners will also benefit from inDrive’s global network, which will help them secure funding and scale their businesses internationally.
Each finalist was given the opportunity to tap into inDrive’s expertise and global resources. The partnership with inDrive, a leading global ride-hailing company, ensures that the winners receive not only financial support but also access to mentorship and strategic growth opportunities that are essential for navigating the competitive tech landscape.
A Record-Breaking Year for the Aurora Tech Award
The 2025 edition of the Aurora Tech Award saw an unprecedented number of applications, with 2,018 entries from 116 countries. This marks a significant increase from the previous year, reflecting the growing interest and participation in the global tech community. The competition attracted innovative entrepreneurs from diverse regions, including the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Latin America (LATAM), Central Asia, and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) regions.
The finalists represented a wide array of industries, ranging from Artificial Intelligence (AI) and fintech to health tech, demonstrating the diverse ways in which women are shaping the future of technology. The high level of competition this year underscores the global demand for innovation and highlights the important role that women play in driving technological advancements.
The SHE CAN Conference: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
The final stage of the competition took place during the regional SHE CAN conference, a leading event in the MENA region dedicated to empowering women through education, training, and entrepreneurial support. Hosted by Entreprenelle, SHE CAN has become one of the most influential industry events in the MENA region since its inception in 2015. The conference attracts over 7,000 attendees annually and serves as a platform for women entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and grow their businesses.
Supporting Women Innovators: Breaking Barriers
During the award ceremony, Isabella Ghassemi-Smith, Head of the Aurora Tech Awards, spoke about the platform’s mission to support innovators in advancing their ideas. “The Aurora Tech Award is designed to celebrate women who are pushing the boundaries of innovation and making a significant impact in their respective industries,” Ghassemi-Smith said.
Evgenia Matrosova, Chief Growth Officer and Head of Ride-Hailing at inDrive, also addressed the importance of supporting women in tech. She highlighted the company’s decision to back female innovators as part of a broader effort to break the gender barrier in investment. “It’s essential to create opportunities for women to thrive in the tech industry,” Matrosova emphasized.
Solape Akinpelu’s win at the 2025 Aurora Tech Award is a testament to the incredible potential of Nigerian women in the tech space. As Hervest continues to empower African women, Akinpelu’s success paves the way for future innovators to follow in her footsteps. The growing recognition of female tech entrepreneurs worldwide is a powerful reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion in driving global innovation.