According to inDrive, the organisers of the Aurora Tech Award, “this is a moment of pride for Nigeria, as seven ground-breaking women from the country have dominated the list.”
The organisation noted that the women had proven their tenacity in the tech industry and shown that women could excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
Executive Director, Aurora Tech Award, Ekaterina Smirnova, also said: “The shortlisted applicants this year demonstrate leadership and innovation in using advanced technologies to improve communities and challenge IT inequality. Our VC partners examined each application.
“The Aurora Tech Award draws more women IT leaders each year, many overcoming significant obstacles to better their communities. The inDrive team is passionate about female equality in IT, and this year’s award honours these remarkable founders and provides cash prizes to help them achieve their goals.”
The seven women are Folake Owodunni, Princess Oti, Cynthia Asije, Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti, Monsurah Alli Oluwafuyi, Olapeju Umah and Ifeoma Nwobu.
Others include are Marie-Reine Seshie (Ghana), Elizabeth Mwangi, (Kenya), Marisa Paramita (Indonesia), Carol Kakooza (Uganda), Carol Kakooza (Uganda), Karina Ojanguren (Argentina), Lauren Yen (United States America), Adila Shaukat (Pakistan), Hira Saeed and Faiza Yousuf (Pakistan), Sonia Majeethia (India), Iva Gumnishka (Bulgaria), Loide Dawid (Namibia); Anna Ngwenyi Mafor (Cameroun), Aggaris Anggia (Ghea), Cininta P. (Indonesia) and Namya Mahajan (India).
Winners will be announced on March 8, 2023, at an online ceremony on auroratechaward.com commemorating International Women’s Day.
The winners would be awarded three cash prizes: $30,000, $20,000, and $10,000 for first, second and third place, respectively.
Founded in 2021 by inDrive, a United States-headquartered mobility and urban services global platform, the award supports women entrepreneurs using technology to develop their communities, aiming to challenge gender inequality in Information Technology (IT).
The Aurora Tech Awards is a yearly event that recognises and celebrates outstanding women’s achievements in technology and innovation. This year’s competition has attracted entries from all over the world. The judges were impressed with the quality and diversity of the submissions but were particularly struck by the strength of the entries from Nigeria.
The organisers have also announced the jury list for the 2023 edition of the award. This year’s jury comprises past award winners and prominent female leaders worldwide.
They include Adora Nwodo, Founder, AdoraHack; Ruchika Singhal, President of Medtronic LABS; Adrienne Doolan, CEO of Green Touches; Mayra Castro, Founder of InvestAmazonia; Sahra-Josephine Hjorth, Co-founder and CEO of CanopyLAB; Ahu Serter, Founder of Arya Women’s Investment Platform; Sardana Mikheeva, VP of Operations at inDrive; Ainura Sagyn, Co-founder and CEO of Tazar and Sadaffe Abid, Social entrepreneur leading circle.
