South Africa’s technology ecosystem continues to quietly produce globally competitive startups, and this time the spotlight is firmly on female-led innovation. Local fintech business MyBento has been named among the Top 30 semi-finalists for the 2026 Aurora Tech Award, a global initiative established by inDrive to recognise high-potential female-founded startups from emerging markets.
It is a milestone that speaks to more than one company’s success. It reflects the growing maturity of South Africa’s startup landscape and the rising visibility of women-led technology businesses operating at international standards.
A Global Award With A Local Story
The Aurora Tech Award is one of the few global programmes focused exclusively on supporting female founders in emerging economies. In 2026, the award received a record 3,400 applications from 127 countries, spanning Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the CIS region.
From that pool, only 30 startups were selected as semi-finalists. MyBento’s inclusion places South Africa firmly in a conversation that often overlooks the continent when it comes to venture-backed innovation.
Founded by Claudia Snyman, MyBento operates as a fintech employee benefits platform that helps companies modernise how benefits are offered and managed. By replacing manual processes with a digital-first solution, the platform enables businesses to deliver cost-effective benefits while improving employee experience.
Why Female-Led Tech Still Needs Dedicated Support
Despite progress, female founders continue to face a disproportionate funding gap globally. Multiple studies show that women-led startups receive a fraction of venture capital compared to male-led peers, particularly in emerging markets.
The Aurora Tech Award is designed to address this imbalance directly. It offers non-dilutive funding of up to US$50,000, alongside mentorship, fundraising readiness support and exposure to international investor networks. For early and growth-stage startups, that combination can be transformative.
As Ashif Black, country representative for inDrive South Africa, notes, recognition alone is not enough. Access to capital, guidance and global networks often determines whether promising startups stall or scale.
South Africa’s Female Tech Momentum
MyBento’s recognition is not an isolated case. South Africa has seen a steady rise in female-led startups across fintech, health tech, edtech and enterprise software. Founders are increasingly building solutions aimed at real-world operational challenges rather than chasing speculative trends.
This pragmatic approach has helped South African startups punch above their weight internationally. It also reflects a broader shift within the local ecosystem, where accelerators, corporate innovation programmes and impact investors are placing more emphasis on diversity and sustainability.
Connecting Global Recognition To The Local Ecosystem
Being named a Top 30 semi-finalist creates ripple effects beyond a single business. It validates South Africa as a source of credible technology innovation and reinforces the case for international investors to look beyond traditional markets.
For aspiring female founders locally, initiatives like the Aurora Tech Award provide visible proof that global platforms are accessible. They also highlight the importance of building companies with strong fundamentals, clear traction and scalable business models.
What Happens Next
Finalists for the Aurora Tech Award 2026 will be announced in February, with winners celebrated at a global ceremony later in the year. Beyond the financial support, finalists benefit from international exposure that can accelerate partnerships and fundraising efforts.
For MyBento and South Africa’s broader tech community, this moment represents progress rather than an endpoint. It underscores the value of sustained investment in female entrepreneurship and the role global initiatives play in unlocking local potential.
As South Africa continues to position itself within the global digital economy, stories like this show that meaningful innovation is already happening and increasingly being recognised.
