The Aurora Tech Award has announced a new programme designed to strengthen early-stage, women-led tech ventures in Nigeria. Called the Foundry for HER Bootcamp and delivered in partnership with The Nest Innovation Technology Park Ltd, the initiative blends mentorship, business-building resources, and investor-readiness training to help founders accelerate growth.
Running virtually from October 15–17, 2025, the three-day accelerator will support more than 120 female founders. Participants will sharpen skills in fundraising, strategic pitching, product scaling, and expanding into markets beyond Nigeria. Organisers say the bootcamp directly addresses structural barriers that continue to constrain women entrepreneurs across the tech and startup landscape.
Although Nigeria’s tech sector is dynamic, women-led startups remain underrepresented in funding pipelines. Data shows nearly 46% of small businesses in the country fail within their first three years. For many female founders, the path is further complicated by limited access to capital, mentorship networks, and meaningful visibility with investors and partners.
The Foundry for HER Bootcamp tackles these challenges through practical workshops, tailored mentorship, and investor-focused sessions. The goal is not simply to keep startups alive, organisers note, but to equip them for long-term sustainability and scale—positioning them as globally competitive companies capable of attracting serious investment.
Its launch comes at a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s digital economy. More women are building solutions in technology, fintech, digital services, and e-commerce, yet many still struggle to secure the backing needed to grow. By offering structured guidance and exposure to industry leaders, the programme aims to strengthen the pipeline of innovators in areas such as healthtech, edtech, and financial inclusion.
Beyond expert support, the bootcamp emphasises founder-to-founder learning. Participants will be encouraged to form peer networks that can spark partnerships, drive cross-market expansion, and create collective bargaining power within the ecosystem.
Stakeholders say initiatives like this are key to levelling the playing field and unlocking a stronger contribution from women to Africa’s entrepreneurial economy. Known for championing women innovators globally, the Aurora Tech Award is using this platform to deepen its impact in Nigeria—one of the continent’s hubs of female tech talent.
Applications are expected from a wide spectrum of founders at different product stages, with a clear focus on practical investment readiness, scalability, and the leadership capacity needed to compete in demanding markets.
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