The Aurora Tech Award, a global award recognizing female founders of early-stage technology startups, announces the launch of a dedicated fintech track for its 2026 edition. This new category highlights the worldwide growth of fintech – particularly impact-driven financial solutions that improve access, inclusion, and equity.

The addition also reflects the increasing number of fintech startups applying to the award. One example is last year’s winner, HerVest, from Nigeria, which gives women access to savings and investment opportunities, as well as credit for female smallholder farmers and business owners. HerVest’s mission is to improve women’s lives through financial inclusion,exactly the kind of ventures Aurora’s new track aims to accelerate.

In addition to mentorship, participants of the fintech track will get tailored support from inDrive.Money, the company’s in-app financial service to empower driver communities. Now operating in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Indonesia, inDrive.Money provides drivers with quick access to cash loans and other financial services that help people build stability and independence.

inDrive.Money has extensive experience in scaling financial products across diverse markets. It will leverage this to offer fintech startups practical opportunities to grow and test their solutions, including: 

  • Access to inDrive.Money’s user base, allowing startups to test and validate their products in real market conditions across inDrive’s countries of operation.
  • In-app promotion – for startups with strong synergy with inDrive. With an estimated media value of around $20,000, this will enable startups to reach millions of users.

The new fintech track therefore connects founders with a real-world testing environment, global visibility, and the chance to scale solutions that make financial access more equitable. 

These benefits complement the broader Aurora Tech Award finalist program, which provides all finalists with:

  • Access to a curated network of investors and strategic partners;
  • Mentorship and knowledge-sharing from inDrive’s global team;
  • Resources to grow, fundraise, and expand internationally.

These combine to offer a powerful launchpad, helping women-led startups strengthen their business models and scale their social and financial impact globally.

“Fintech is one of the most dynamic sectors shaping our future and women must have an equal place in defining it. By launching this dedicated track, we together with Aurora tech award aim to support founders who not only build great products but also expand financial inclusion and opportunity in their communities,” said Alina Zavorokhina, Senior Head of Business & Growth inDrive.Money 

The open call for the 2026 Aurora Tech Award runs until November 12, 2025.
Female founders can submit an online application at www.auroratechaward.com/fintech-track.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Founded or co-founded and led by a woman;
  • Registered no more than 5 years ago;
  • Have a working prototype, MVP, or early clients;
  • At pre-seed or seed stage;
  • Have raised no more than $6 million in total funding (including seed round).

Finalists will be evaluated on innovation, scalability, and social impact by a distinguished jury of investors and industry experts. Winners will receive cash grants of $50,000 for first place, $20,000 for second place, and $15,000 for third place. 

Launched by inDrive in 2021, the Aurora Tech Award empowers women-led startups that combine innovation with social impact. The award now unites founders from MENA, LATAM, Central Asia, and APAC, advancing solutions across healthtech, AI, fintech, edtech, and agrotech.Follow Aurora Tech Award on LinkedIn for updates, success stories, and insights from women reshaping the future of tech.