Two Nigerian entrepreneurs, Manzo Nyifamu Ogechi and Solape Akinpelu, have been named finalists for the 2025 Aurora Tech Award, competing for a $30,000 prize. The award, organized by inDrive, celebrates women-led startups driving innovation in fintech, agrotech, and other sectors. The winner will be announced in Cairo, Egypt.
Two Nigerian female entrepreneurs, Manzo Nyifamu Ogechi, founder of Farmatrix, and Solape Akinpelu, founder of Hervest, have secured spots among the top 10 finalists for the prestigious 2025 Aurora Tech Award. The competition, hosted by inDrive, aims to support women-led startups pioneering technological and social advancements.
The Aurora Tech Award recognizes innovation across multiple industries, including artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, health tech, agrotech, eco-tech, ed-tech, and HR-tech. This year’s finalists, drawn from regions like MENA, LATAM, Central Asia, and APAC, represent a diverse group of entrepreneurs tackling critical global challenges.
According to Isabella Ghassemi-Smith, head of startups at the Aurora Tech Awards, the shortlisted founders have demonstrated remarkable leadership in their respective fields. Half of the competing startups are in the seed stage, while others are at pre-seed or have secured early funding through personal networks or angel investors.
Nigeria’s representatives stand out for their impactful work in agricultural technology and fintech. Farmatrix, led by Ogechi, focuses on advancing sustainable farming solutions, while Harvest, under Akinpelu’s leadership, aims to empower women financially through inclusive investment and credit solutions.
Alongside the Nigerian finalists, competitors from India, Colombia, Kyrgyzstan, Brazil, Switzerland, Uzbekistan, Chile, and French Polynesia will also vie for the top prize. The winner, to be selected by a panel of industry experts and investors, will be announced at the award ceremony in Cairo, Egypt, from April 11 to 13.
The ultimate recipient of the award will take home $30,000 in funding to further their groundbreaking work.
