Nigeria’s women entrepreneurs are set to take center stage globally as the Aurora Tech Award, in partnership with The Nest Innovation Technology Park, introduces the Foundry for HER Bootcamp—a three-day virtual accelerator designed for women-led, early-stage tech startups.
The program goes beyond mentorship; it’s a deliberate effort to close long-standing gaps in funding, visibility, and access to international networks that have historically limited women in technology. By preparing participants for the Aurora Tech Award Open Call 2026, the bootcamp positions Nigerian founders to not only compete but also lead on the global innovation stage.
“Nigeria has already proven itself, producing back-to-back Aurora Tech Award winners. Foundry for HER is about ensuring many more women can replicate that success, building solutions with international impact,” said Isabella Ghassemi-Smith, Head of the Aurora Tech Award.
The country’s recent track record reinforces that vision. Folake Owodunni (Emergency Response Africa, 2024 winner) and Solape Akinpelu (HerVest, 2025 winner) have demonstrated the potential of Nigerian women innovators. Reflecting on her achievement, Akinpelu emphasized that the award symbolized a collective victory:
“The recognition is bigger than me—it represents every woman bold enough to dream and lead in spaces where she was never expected.”
Running October 15–17, 2025, the bootcamp will train 120 female entrepreneurs in areas such as investment readiness, pitch development, and scaling into international markets. Alongside expert mentorship and exposure to investors, participants will join a supportive ecosystem driven by The Nest Innovation Technology Park, one of Lagos’ most dynamic entrepreneurial hubs.
Applications, which opened September 8, will close on October 3, 2025.
More than just training, Foundry for HER is shaping a pipeline of women who will define Africa’s role in the global tech revolution.
