Two Nigerian entrepreneurs have been shortlisted among top 10 finalists for the 2025 Aurora Tech Award. The female founders, Nyifamu Ogechi Manzo of Farmatrix, and Solape Akinpelu of Hervest, run start-ups that are driving impact through technology, Speaking on the award, the Head of Start-up, Aurora Tech Awards, Isabella Ghassemi-Smith, explained that the award was conceived to support the next generation of entrepreneurs building ventures to redefine industries. “Aurora isn’t just a tech award—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of unicorn founders in emerging markets. With funding, high-profile investor access, and a global network, we back the boldest women in tech who are building ventures that will redefine industries.”
She stressed that the recognition also underscores Africa’s role in driving innovation that promotes gender equality, financial inclusion, and economic empowerment on a global scale.
Other finalists include founder of FlexiBees (India), Shreya Prakash, founder of Arkangel AI (Colombia), Laura Velásquez Herrera, founder of Mama Space (Kyrgyzstan), Gulnaza Khalmanbetova, founder of Elephan (Brazilia), Thais Sterenberg de Oliveira, founder of UpLeap (Switzerland), Leonie Korn, founder Borderless (Uzbekistan), Veronica Lee, founder of Nido Contech (Chile), Loretxu García, founder of E-Reo (French Polynesia), Heiura Itae Tetaa.
Farmatrix, an Agro-Allied Technology Company, is transforming agriculture in Nigeria by leveraging technology to improve market access and sustainability for smallholder farmers. While HerVest provides targeted savings, impact investments, and credit financing to smallholder women farmers and women-led SMEs, addressing the $42 billion gender finance gap in Africa.
The finalists were selected based on their start-ups’ innovation, scalability, and social impact. A distinguished panel of industry experts and investors will evaluate their work before announcing the winner at the upcoming Aurora Tech Award Ceremony on April 11-13 in Cairo. The final pitch competition will be held at SHE CAN 2025 and will be organised by Entreprenelle.
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