The Aurora Tech Award has announced its Top 100 founders to watch for 2026, following a record 3,400 applications from 127 countries. This global award supports outstanding female tech founders from emerging markets, with winners receiving up to $50,000 in non-dilutive funding, tailored support, and access to a network of investors and experts.
The Top 100 founders represent a diverse range of countries, with the highest number of applications coming from Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Colombia, Egypt, Brazil, India, Chile, Pakistan, and Mexico. Health tech remains the strongest sector, with 23 health-focused startups tackling aspects such as wellbeing, longevity, and digital medical tools. Other prominent sectors include agritech, edtech, and fintech, with AI, blockchain, and IoT technologies being increasingly adopted.
The award organizers noted that AI is a core enabling technology across leading sectors, driving innovation globally. The Top 100 founders were selected from a pool of over 3,400 applications, with the top three percent chosen for their exceptional work in building commercially powerful and category-defining companies.
Key trends from this year’s applications include the adoption of AI in health tech and edtech, as well as the alignment of founders’ missions with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Business models are leaning towards B2B, particularly in Chile, India, and Peru, reflecting market maturity and demand for enterprise solutions.
The award also provides insight into the funding sought by early-stage founders across emerging markets. Startups from India are seeking the highest average investment, followed by those in Kenya and Colombia. The least capital-seeking applicants come from Peru and Morocco, with founders looking for approximately $300,000-$340,000 to grow their ventures.
The 2025 winners included Solape Akinpelu from Nigeria, Loretxu Garcia Arraztoa from Chile, and Shreya Prakash from India. The number of top finalists for 2026 is set to be announced in February, with the winners being celebrated at a global ceremony later in the year. The Aurora Tech Award continues to spotlight the impact of female tech founders from emerging markets, driving innovation and entrepreneurship globally.
