Aurora Ventures Launches 2026 Pilot Program, Targets Women-Led Startups in Nigeria and Emerging Markets

Aurora Ventures has officially launched its 2026 pilot investment program with backing from inDrive a global mobility and delivery platform, with Nigeria identified as one of its priority markets.

The launch comes on the heels of the successful conclusion of the 2026 Aurora Tech Award held in Santiago, where Nigerian entrepreneur Adeola Ayoola-Famasi emerged among the top 10 finalists from over 3,400 applicants worldwide.

Aurora Ventures said the initiative is designed to support underserved female founders across Africa, the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America by investing between $180,000 and $250,000 at pre-seed and seed stages.

According to the organization, the program was developed from five years of data generated through the Aurora Tech Award, which revealed that women-led startups with strong growth potential are often overlooked and undervalued by traditional venture capital firms.

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Speaking on the launch, Isabella Ghassemi-Smith described the initiative as a disciplined investment platform focused on unlocking opportunities in women-led businesses.

Also speaking, Andries Smit said supporting Aurora Ventures reflects the same resilience and ambition that helped build inDrive into a global company despite stiff competition from larger incumbents.

The 2026 pilot program will focus on building an initial investment portfolio while providing startups with funding, operational support, and access to networks to help them secure future investment on more equitable terms.