Aurora Tech Award for Women Founders of Tech Startups

Deadline: 1 December 2023

If you’re a woman founder with a tech startup, regardless of the specific industry, and have a functional prototype or an early version of your product, the Aurora Tech Award is just for you.

The Aurora Tech Award is an annual global prize for women founders of tech startups. They believe in breaking down barriers and promoting equality in tech entrepreneurship.

Women entrepreneurs in IT face challenges like investor bias, stereotypes, and a lack of role models, limiting their representation.

Why Participate?

Fuel business growth with cash prizes for winners:

First prize: $30,000
Second prize: $20,000
Third prize: $10,000
Connect with a global community of women tech entrepreneurs
Amplify brand visibility with PR support for finalists, attracting new audiences, partners, and investors
Get valuable feedback from Venture Capital experts and jury members to improve your startup
Receive guidance from inDrive’s C-level executives and industry experts with a finalist mentorship program
Expand your network and gain recognition in the startup world.

Requirements

Firstly, your application must meet the following criteria
- Woman founder: The startup must be founded or co-founded and led by a woman entrepreneur
- Funding stage: The startup should not have received investments exceeding $4 million in funding, including the seed round
- Operation time: The startup must be no more than 5 years old
- Minimum Viable Product (MVP): The startup should have a functional prototype. If you have only an idea, your application will not be considered
Secondly, after meeting the initial criteria, analysts from their partner’s VC funds will evaluate the following aspects
- Personal
  - Leadership skills: Assessing your ability to lead, inspire your team, and make strategic decisions.
  - Overcoming personal challenges: Understanding the challenges you faced as an entrepreneur and how you overcame them.
- Startup
  - Potential market size: Examining the size and growth potential of your target market.
  - Scalability: Assessing the potential for your business model to scale efficiently.
  - Profit generation (unit economics): Analyzing your ability to generate profits.
  - Unique competitive advantage: Evaluating what sets your startup apart from competitors.
  - Product-market fit: Assessing how well your product meets market needs.
  - Go-to-market strategy: Reviewing your plan for effectively entering the market.
  - Team potential: Evaluating your team members’ expertise.
  - Social impact: Considering your startup’s positive impact on society.
Lastly, their jury will evaluate the impact criteria, focusing on mission-driven startups that aim to make a positive differnce in people’s lives by challenging injustice.