The Aurora Tech Award, in collaboration with The Nest Innovation Technology Park, has unveiled the Foundry for HER Bootcamp, a three-day virtual accelerator tailored for early-stage, women-led tech startups in Nigeria.
This bootcamp aims to position Nigerian women founders to scale ventures that can compete and thrive on the world stage by bridging gaps in access to capital, mentorship, and international visibility.
The initiative is designed to prepare participants for the Aurora Tech Award Open Call 2026, a prestigious global prize that recognises and funds women entrepreneurs driving high-impact solutions.
“At Aurora Tech Award, our mission is clear, which is to put the world’s boldest women founders on the fast track to scale,” said Isabella Ghassemi-Smith, head of the Aurora Tech Award. “Nigeria has already proven itself with past winners, and this bootcamp doubles down by equipping early-stage founders with the tools, networks, and visibility needed to compete globally.”
Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, among Africa’s most dynamic, has produced two consecutive Aurora Tech Award winners who are Folake Owodunni, founder of Emergency Response Africa (2024), and Solape Akinpelu, co-founder and CEO of HerVest (2025).
“This award isn’t just mine; it belongs to every woman who dares to dream, build, and lead in spaces where she wasn’t expected. The real value lies in being part of a global community that champions women shaping the future of tech,” Solape Akinpelu, 2025 Aurora Tech Award recipient, said, while reflecting on her win.
The bootcamp, which is scheduled for October 15–17, 2025, will train 120 female founders on pitching, fundraising, and scaling beyond local markets, while providing access to expert mentorship and investor networks. Applications opened on September 8 and will close on October 3, 2025.
The partnership with The Nest Innovation Technology Park, a Lagos-based hub for entrepreneurial innovation, ensures that participants gain not just knowledge but also the community and connections vital for long-term growth.
