inDrive opens doors for Pakistan’s female startup founders with Aurora Tech Awards 2026
Islamabad
inDrive, a global mobility and services platform, has opened applications for the Aurora Tech Award 2026, its flagship initiative celebrating Pakistani and other women tech founders who are driving innovation with meaningful social impact.
Designed to place women entrepreneurs on the global stage, the award offers opportunities for international recognition, networking with top investors, tailored mentorship, and resources to help scale their ventures. The winner of the award will receive USD $50,000, second place will get USD $20,000, and third place will be awarded USD $15,000.
Among those who have already made their mark is Faiza Yousuf, a Pakistani finalist for the 2023 Aurora Tech Awards. “I applied for the Aurora Tech Award in 2022 through CaterpillHERs to share our impact with Pakistani women and connect with a global network of changemakers. The recognition strengthened our mission and reinforced my resolve to keep moving forward,” said Faiza Yousuf.
Launched by inDrive in 2021, the Aurora Tech Award has grown into a leading platform for amplifying women’s contributions in technology, particularly from emerging markets. The 2025 edition received a record 2,018 applications from 116 countries, with finalists representing a diverse range of sectors including health tech, AI, fintech, edtech, and agrotech.
Awais Saeed, Country Head of inDrive Pakistan, said, “Pakistani women entrepreneurs have immense potential, but they face challenges in access to funding, visibility, and strategic support. Through the Aurora Tech Awards, inDrive is working to remove those barriers and enable women to bring their ideas to life on a global stage.”
Quarterfinalists – the top 100 female founders – will be announced on December 8, 2025. From there, semifinalists (top 30) and finalists will be revealed in early 2026. Finalists will participate in a tailored mentorship program in February–March 2026, ahead of the Aurora Tech Award ceremony scheduled for March–April 2026.
The open call begins on August 12, 2025, and runs through November 12, 2025. Women founders can apply by submitting an online application at auroratechaward.com. To be eligible, startups must be founded or co-founded and led by a woman; registered no more than 5 years ago; have a working prototype, MVP, or early clients; be at the pre-seed or seed stage; and fit within a funding limit of $6 million in total investment, including the seed round.
The full list of requirements is available on the website. Applications for the Aurora Tech Award 2026 will remain open until November 12, 2025, through www.auroratechaward.com and winners will be announced in early 2026.
inDrive’s impact in Pakistan goes beyond ride-hailing. Along with supporting drivers with livelihood opportunities and offering passengers affordable, reliable mobility, the company also undertakes initiatives that serve communities across the country. Through programs like the Aurora Tech Award, inDrive is actively working to uplift women and provide a platform for them to showcase their talent on the global stage.
