Funding Access for Female Founders Must Be Expanded

The startup ecosystem in various countries continues to show significant growth. However, amidst this growth, female founders still face major challenges in gaining equal access to funding and investment support. Recent research by Aurora involving more than 900 founders from 127 countries found that female founders still face ‘competence scepticism’, or doubts about their abilities, as well as demands for higher business achievements. This situation prompted the launch of Aurora Ventures, an early-stage investment programme focused on supporting female founders in emerging markets. The programme is also supported by inDrive, a global mobility and delivery platform that has grown into a unicorn in various developing countries. The launch took place after the 2026 Aurora Tech Award in Santiago, Chile, a platform for female tech founders from 127 countries to gain access to funding, global networks, and business development opportunities. This year, the event recorded over 3,400 applicants from various countries. One founder from Nigeria, Adeola Ayoola-Famasi, made it into the top 10 finalists. In addition to Adeola, the list of finalists included female founders from various developing countries, including Adriana Gonzalez-Tizo (Panama), Angela Acosta-Morado (Colombia), Catalina Isaza from Innmetec (Colombia), Estefania Abello from Muta (Colombia), Maria Kawas from Domestik (Chile), Mariana Zuliani from OncoAI (Brazil), Mercedes Bidart from Quipu (Colombia), Patricia Florencia from Pilou (Mexico), and Penny Musengi from Pesira Technologies (Kenya). The programme was formed based on data and experience from five years of the Aurora Tech Award, which showed the persistent gap in funding access for female founders, especially in the Middle East and North Africa, Africa, and Latin America. Although many female startups show strong and efficient business growth, they are still considered often undervalued and lacking attention from traditional investors. Through the programme, investments ranging from US$180,000 to US$250,000 will be provided at the early development and seed funding stages. In addition to funding, the programme will also provide access to networks, mentoring, and operational support to help startups grow towards the next funding round with more equitable opportunities. inDrive Indonesia Country Manager Rio Aristo said support for Aurora Ventures is in line with inDrive’s commitment to driving fairer access and opportunities for all, including female founders in emerging markets. ‘We were born and grew by facing various major challenges in the industry. We see the same spirit in many female founders in emerging markets today. Therefore, this support is not just a social initiative, but also about opening up big opportunities that have lacked attention,’ Rio said in an official statement.