InDrive Launches ‘Aurora Ventures’ Program to Connect Women Entrepreneurs with Global Networks and Investment

InDrive has unveiled a new initiative called ‘Aurora Ventures’ aimed at connecting women entrepreneurs in emerging markets, including Nepal, with investment opportunities and international networks. This program plans to invest between $180,000 and $250,000 in early-stage, women-led businesses. According to Aurora’s research, female entrepreneurs often face challenges such as extensive evidence requirements and doubts regarding their capabilities when seeking investment. (May 24, Kathmandu)

Global mobility and delivery platform InDrive announced the ‘Aurora Ventures’ investment program with a goal to reduce the challenges women founders encounter in securing funding in emerging markets, including Nepal. The announcement came at the conclusion of the ‘Aurora Tech Award 2026’ held in Santiago, Chile. This year, the award received 3,400 applications from emerging markets, with the top 10 women founders selected.

In comparison, the 2021 edition of the award had only 116 applications. The top 10 women founders of the 2026 Aurora Tech Award include Adeola Ayoola-Pharmacy from Nigeria; Adriana Gonzalez-Tizo from Panama; Angela Acosta-Morado and Catalina Isaza-Inmetec from Colombia; Estefania Abelo-Muta; Maria Kawas-Domestic from Chile; Mariana Giuliani-OncoAI from Brazil; Mercedes Bidart-Quipu from Colombia; Patricia Florencia-Pilou from Mexico; and Penny Musengi-PeSira Technologies from Kenya.

The company stated that ‘Aurora Ventures’ is designed to support early-stage, women-led startups. The program was developed based on data and research collected over the past five years through the ‘Aurora Tech Award.’ Since 2021, the number of applications has increased roughly 30-fold, leading Aurora to conclude that many women-led businesses in the Middle East, North Africa, Africa, Latin America, and emerging Asian markets still lack sufficient access to traditional venture capital.

In Aurora’s latest study, over 900 women founders from 127 countries participated. The research revealed that women entrepreneurs are often required to provide more proof and achievements during fundraising, with persistent skepticism of their capabilities. The Asia-Pacific region was identified as one of the areas most affected by this unequal evaluation. Aurora Ventures aims to invest between $180,000 and $250,000 in pre-seed and seed-stage ventures. According to the company, startups with high potential will be identified early through the Aurora Tech Award network and receive timely investment.

Isabela Ghassemi-Smith, Head of Aurora Ventures, emphasized the necessity of this initiative, stating that women founders still face insufficient opportunities within venture capital. “Over the past five years, we have repeatedly observed the same pattern: many women entrepreneurs are building strong businesses but are unable to secure investment in time to match their accomplishments,” she said. “The success stories of the top 10 women founders selected through the Aurora Tech Award clearly demonstrate the level of startups this program aims to support.”