Celebrating Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Inclusivity

In a world where gender equality remains an ongoing challenge, the African tech industry is witnessing a transformative revolution, highlighted by the prestigious Aurora Tech Awards. Launched in 2020, the Aurora Tech Awards is a global annual celebration of women founders of IT startups who are breaking boundaries and shattering stereotypes in the tech world. The Aurora Tech Awards is proud to announce that entries for the 2024 Aurora Tech Awards are now open.

The significant shift in Africa’s technological landscape became undeniably evident during the 2023 Aurora Tech Award. A large portion of the nominations highlighted the achievements of African women in tech from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda, all of whom helm IT startups that have rendered immense value to their communities. These visionary women not only harnessed technology to bridge the gap between communities and essential educational, health, and financial services but also fervently supported fellow entrepreneurs in their pursuits. The 2023 award was ultimately won by Elizabeth Mwangi from Kenya and her startup, Gwiji for Women, which connects cleaners living in the slums of Nairobi with their clients.

The award’s mission is threefold: to applaud the strides of women in IT entrepreneurship, to empower them with the resources they deserve through substantial cash prizes, and to shatter the very gender biases that have long confined the industry.

“In a tech world still grappling with gender disparity, awards like the Aurora Tech Award are catalysts for change. Our recognition empowers women, shattering barriers and inspiring young minds. The positive feedback from past winners resonates with the transformative impact. As applications pour in globally, we’re excited to spotlight talents making community-changing impacts and serving as role models. We envision a future where gender ceases to limit potential. This award isn’t just a recognition; it’s a step towards a more inclusive and innovative tomorrow” says Ekaterina Smirnova, executive director of the Aurora Tech Award.

The Aurora Tech Award heralds a future where innovation knows no gender and where women’s potential flourishes uninhibited. It’s not just about breaking glass ceilings; it’s about forging an industry that stands as a testament to the capabilities of all, regardless of gender.

The application must meet the following criteria:

1. Women founder
   The startup must be founded or co-founded and led by a woman entrepreneur
2. Funding stage
   The startup should not have received investments exceeding $4 million in funding, including the seed round
3. Operation time
   The startup must be no more than 5 years old
4. Minimum viable product (MVP)
   The startup should have a functional prototype. If you have only an idea, your application will not be considered

Applications can be submitted via the award’s website at https://www.auroratechaward.com/

Dates and deadlines
Entries should be submitted between September 5 and December 1, 2023.
Finalist announcement date: Jan. 31, 2024
Final assessments and announcement of winners: Mar. 8, 2024

The panel of judges will include prominent female IT entrepreneurs, the winners of last year’s Aurora Tech Award, and key industry experts.

The prizes will be awarded as follows:
First prize: $30,000
Second prize: $20,000
Third prize: $10,000

There will only be one winner per category, and the prize can be awarded to a contestant from any of the participating countries. In addition to the prizes, the entrepreneurs will gain access to the inDriver mentorship program.

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About Aurora Tech Award

Aurora Tech Award is a non-profit initiative of inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform. Today, inDrive is available in more than 40 countries, has been downloaded over 175 million times and was the second most downloaded mobility app in 2022. In addition to ride-hailing, inDrive provides an expanding list of urban services, including intercity transportation, freight delivery, task assistance, courier delivery and employment search services. inDrive is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with regional hubs in the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the CIS countries, employing more than 2,700 people.

The Aurora Tech Award is an award for women tech startup founders whose projects have had a profound impact on global development. The objective is to support women in the field of advanced technologies, especially women entrepreneurs

For more information visit www.inDrive.com

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed that it has put in place policies and programmes aimed at making the youths in the State self-reliant.

According to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Pharm (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu while declaring open the Entrepreneurship Training programme tagged “Business Amplifier Clinic”, a three-day training for selected young entrepreneurs as part of the activities to mark Y2023 International Youth Day.

Oke-Osanyintolu said, “The Ministry of Youth and Social Development has organised this Young Entrepreneurs Training to build young people’s business skills and capacity. This will encourage young entrepreneurial startups, mentorship and acquisition of skills that will help participants adjust their products, services and processes to support climate change and the related environmental requirement”.

She added: “The THEMES Plus Agenda of the present administration is aimed at ensuring that no one is left behind. Therefore, the Government has invested greatly in the enhancement of soft skills/vocational training programmes as a strong tool in solving the escalating problem of youth unemployment in the State. This training will help to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship and make the youth self-reliant thereby generating employment, reducing poverty, crime, and youth restiveness”.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (Lagos State Chapter), Comrade Biliaminu Oba commended the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development for the initiative which he described as historic being the Ministry saddled with the responsibility of helping the youth maximise their potentials. He urged the youth to be advocates of the message of peace and see Nigeria as their fatherland.

In his remark, Lagos Central Representative, National Youth Parliament, Abdulmumun Edidi charged the youths not to give up but to strive to become job creators by taking advantage of the numerous opportunities made available for the youth by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund.

Similarly, Managing Partner, PELSE Consulting, Boboye Adeniji Oluwafemi, shedding light on the essence of the Business Amplifier Clinic said that it was to help participants acquire the fundamental knowledge required to take their businesses to the next level by adding more value to society.

The three-day business training programme is expected to expose participants to the basic knowledge of business forecasting, product branding and personal growth development and also has a business pitch contest at the end of the training where the best five winners will receive handsome rewards.

This year’s International Youth Day themed: “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World” is being celebrated by the Ministry with a week-long set of activities and will end on Saturday,12th August, 2023.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commended the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and NORD Automobile for setting up an Automobile Hub in Lagos State.

The Governor gave the commendation at the commissioning of the UNILAG-NORD Automobile Hub at the University of Lagos, Akoka on Thursday, saying a giant idea that will have a great impact on automobile engineering has been birthed in Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu, represented at the event by the State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Dr. (Mrs.) Lola Akande, stated that the establishment of the Hub is an attestation to the fact that businesses thrive in Lagos.

His words: “In Lagos, we are very intentional about creating a conducive environment that will ensure businesses grow enough to contribute to the development of the State’s economy. We will continue to work to improve the policy framework and climate for businesses to prosper”.

While appreciating the opportunity provided for the youths through the project, the Governor said it reinforces the administration’s desire for youths to have dignified living through decent jobs.

“The unique location will not only give room for employment to students of engineering and allied fields but will also help them acquire practical training in auto engineering”, he said.

The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora affirmed that the Hub is a demonstration of the abundant mental and innovative energy of the youth, saying that is what the nation needs at this time.

He said: “We have the capacity, ability and endowment to meet our needs in this country, which informed the signing by President Muhammadu Buhari of Executive Order 5 that deals with the integration of domestic components in all production. The Hub will bridge the gap between theory and practice as well as address the popular slogan that Nigerian graduates are unemployable”.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe expressed delight at the project which supports the Research and Development drive of the Institution as students can get practical training through the project.

“This Hub will benefit our engineering students and those in architecture, finance and marketing among others. Our staff and the Institution can also acquire new vehicles at affordable prices”, he said.

The Chairman/CEO, NORD Automobile, Mr. Oluwatobi Ajayi explained that the Hub, which comprises Manufacturing, Assembling, Showroom, After Sales Service and Research and Development Centre, has brought a new era in which Nigerians’ desire to drive new cars would be fulfilled.

“I will call this Hub an end-to-end assembling complex. Nigerians pay so much for vehicles because we do not produce them here. To get affordable vehicles, we have to have a nationalistic view of things and we have to start with industrial production”.