Women in Tech: Two Nigerian Founders Make Top 10 Finalists for Aurora Tech Award 2025
Two visionary Nigerian entrepreneurs have made waves by securing spots among the top 10 finalists for the prestigious 2025 Aurora Tech Award. Manzo Nyifamu Ogechi, founder of Farmatrix, and Solape Akinpelu, founder of HerVest, are at the forefront of leveraging technology to create impactful solutions in agriculture and finance.
The distinguished list of finalists also features innovators from across the globe, including Shreya Prakash from India (FlexiBees), Laura Velásquez Herrera from Colombia (Arkangel AI), Gulnaza Khalmanbetova from Kyrgyzstan (Mama Space), Thais Sterenberg de Oliveira from Brazil (Elephan), Leonie Korn from Uzbekistan (Borderless), Veronica Lee from Chile (Nido Contech), Loretxu García from French Polynesia (E-Reo), and Heiura Itae Tetaa.
Isabella Ghassemi-Smith, Head of Start-up for the Aurora Tech Awards, emphasized that this award aims to support the next generation of entrepreneurs who are redefining their industries. “Aurora isn’t just a tech award—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of unicorn founders in emerging markets. We provide funding, investor access, and a global network to the boldest women in tech who are creating transformative ventures,” she stated.
Ghassemi-Smith underscored the significance of recognizing Nigerian female founders in this year’s award, highlighting their vital role in addressing societal challenges through technology. “This year’s finalists showcase exceptional leadership and innovation across diverse sectors, demonstrating the importance of women-led start-ups in promoting gender equality and economic empowerment worldwide,” she added.
Farmatrix, an AgriTech start-up founded by Nyifamu, is revolutionizing agriculture in Nigeria by enhancing market access and sustainability for smallholder farmers. With a background in Food Systems and Climate Reality, Nyifamu’s initiative has positively impacted over 3,000 farmers by minimizing post-harvest losses and boosting profitability. Her tech-driven platform connects farmers with markets, financing, and logistical support, establishing a seamless farm-to-market ecosystem.
HerVest, led by Akinpelu, focuses on bridging the gender finance gap in Nigeria by offering inclusive financial services tailored for women. Through targeted savings, impact investments, and credit financing, HerVest addresses the staggering $42 billion gender finance gap in Africa. By connecting female entrepreneurs and women-led SMEs with flexible loans, HerVest empowers them to scale their businesses and achieve financial independence.
Reflecting on the award, Nyifamu remarked, “Doing business in Nigeria is not for the weak, and being a woman in agritech requires immense resilience. Past winner Chinwendu of Bridge Merchant Connect inspired me. The Aurora Tech Award aligns seamlessly with my vision for Farmatrix and our impact scaling.”
The Aurora Tech Award, initiated in 2020 by inDrive, celebrates female entrepreneurs who drive innovation and social impact through technology. Finalists were chosen based on their start-ups’ innovation, scalability, and social impact, with winners to be announced at the Aurora Tech Award Ceremony on April 11-13 in Cairo.
**About the Aurora Tech Award:**
The Aurora Tech Award is a non-profit initiative by inDrive, aimed at supporting women tech start-up founders whose projects significantly impact international development. inDrive operates in over 888 cities across 48 countries and is dedicated to challenging social injustices while striving to positively affect the lives of one billion people by 2030.