Aurora Tech Award Unveils ‘Foundry for HER’ Bootcamp to Strengthen Women-Led Startups in Nigeria

The Aurora Tech Award has unveiled a new initiative to empower women-led technology startups in Nigeria, offering mentorship, hands-on training, and investor-readiness support to help female founders scale their ventures. The programme is designed to bridge the gap between innovation and sustainable business growth for women entrepreneurs in the country.

Titled The Foundry for HER Bootcamp, the three-day virtual accelerator is powered by the Aurora Tech Award in collaboration with The Nest Innovation Technology Park Ltd. According to organisers, the bootcamp will run from October 15 to 17, 2025, bringing together more than 120 early-stage female founders for intensive sessions focused on pitching, fundraising, and expanding into new markets.

The initiative aims to tackle systemic barriers that have long hindered women’s success in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem. Organisers highlighted that despite women’s growing participation in entrepreneurship, many continue to struggle with limited access to funding, mentorship opportunities, and strategic business networks.

Research indicates that nearly 46 per cent of small businesses in Nigeria collapse within their first three years, with female-led startups particularly vulnerable. Through this bootcamp, the Aurora Tech Award seeks to provide the tools and community support needed to not only sustain these ventures but also position them for long-term growth and global competitiveness.