Nigerian fintech innovator Solape Akinpelu has cemented her legacy as the first two-time Aurora Tech Award winner , claiming the $30,000 top prize at the 2025 ceremony in Cairo (April 11–13). The founder of agri-fintech platform Hervest triumphed over 2,018 global applicants, doubling last year’s entries, to retain the title previously won by fellow Nigerian Folake Owodunni in 2024.
The Aurora Tech Award , launched by mobility giant inDrive , champions gender equity by empowering female entrepreneurs in tech. Akinpelu’s win underscores Nigeria’s growing influence in global tech, with five female founders from Chile, India, Colombia, and Switzerland also honored.
Why Akinpelu Stands Out
Akinpelu’s Hervest platform addresses agricultural financing gaps, a critical issue in Africa’s farming sector. Judges praised her scalable business model, aligning with Aurora’s focus on ventures with “real-world impact,” according to Isabella Ghassemi-Smith , Head of the Aurora Tech Awards.
Beyond the Prize Money
Finalists gained access to investor networks and mentorship via inDrive’s platform. Evgenia Matrosova , inDrive’s Chief Growth Officer, emphasized the award’s role in closing the gender investment gap : “These women are building businesses investors should care about.”
Nigeria’s Tech Momentum
Akinpelu’s repeat win follows a banner year for Nigerian tech, with inDrive’s app surpassing 300 million downloads globally in 2024. The award ceremony coincided with Cairo’s SHE CAN conference , which drew 7,000 attendees, further spotlighting female-led innovation.
Akinpelu’s achievement signals Nigeria’s emergence as a tech powerhouse while challenging global gender disparities in entrepreneurship. As inDrive expands its community initiatives in education and gender equality, the Aurora Tech Award sets a new benchmark for empowering underrepresented founders.
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