Nigerian Entrepreneur Solape Akinpelu Wins 2025 Aurora Tech Award Again
Solape Akinpelu
Her win highlights the rise of women in tech and global support for female-led innovations
A Historic Win for Nigeria
Solape Akinpelu, founder of Nigerian fintech platform Hervest, has made history by winning the 2025 Aurora Tech Award, becoming the first recipient to win the prize two years in a row. She received the $30,000 top prize at the award finale held in Cairo, Egypt, between April 11 and 13.
This marks a proud moment for Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, following the 2024 win by another Nigerian, Folake Owodunni. It’s yet another sign that Nigerian women are steadily rising and being recognized on the global tech stage.
Recognizing Women Building Impactful Tech Solutions
The Aurora Tech Award, organized by global mobility platform Indrive, aims to support high-potential female tech founders who are building scalable solutions. The 2025 edition saw a record-breaking 2,018 applications from 116 countries — double the number of the previous year.
In addition to Akinpelu’s win, four other women were awarded:
1st Runner-Up: Loretxu Garcia Arraztoa from Chile’s Nido Contech ($20,000)
2nd Runner-Up: Shreya Prakash from India’s FlexiBees ($15,000)
Honourable Mentions: Laura Velásquez Herrera of Colombia’s Arkangel AI and Leonie Korn of Switzerland’s UpLeap ($10,000 each)
All finalists will also benefit from access to investors, industry leaders, and business opportunities through the Aurora platform.
“This win is not just for me — it’s for every African woman building something against the odds. It shows that our ideas matter, our voices are being heard, and the world is ready for what we have to offer.”
— Solape Akinpelu, Founder of Hervest and 2025 Aurora Tech Award Winner
Creating a Launchpad for Female Founders
According to the organizers, the Aurora Tech Award is not just about recognition — it’s a tool for breaking gender investment barriers. Isabella Ghassemi-Smith, Head of the Aurora Tech Awards, emphasized that these women were selected for their strong business potential, not just for diversity’s sake.
inDrive’s Chief Growth Officer, Evgenia Matrosova, also stressed the importance of helping women entrepreneurs access networks and funding, especially in emerging markets.
Conclusion
Solape Akinpelu’s win is more than a personal achievement — it’s a message to young African women that global recognition is within reach. The Aurora Tech Award is a powerful reminder that with the right support, women can thrive and lead in tech innovation.
This success also highlights the importance of empowering women through education, investment, and global opportunities — paving the way for the next generation of tech leaders.
