UNICEF’s program countries
UNICEF Venture Fund for Fem Tech Solutions 2025
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- UNICEF posted 1 week ago
- Posted: May 5, 2025 -Accepting applications
Opportunity Detail
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Language Requirement Not required
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Gender Male Female
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Level Non-Degree /Short program
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Eligible Region/Countries
Opportunity Description
Are you an early-stage startup using innovative tech to improve women’s and girls’ health, well-being, and economic participation? The UNICEF Venture Fund invites applications for up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding to support frontier technology solutions that make a social impact.
This opportunity is open to for-profit startups in low—and middle-income countries that are developing Open-Source solutions using technologies like AI, blockchain, or data science to improve health outcomes and access to essential services for women and girls.
Women-led companies and young founders under 35 are strongly encouraged to apply. Eligible startups must be registered in a UNICEF program country, have a functional prototype, and commit to open-source principles.
What Is the Fund Looking For?
UNICEF is seeking early-stage, for-profit startups using frontier technologies (AI, data science, blockchain) to create open-source solutions in three key areas:
- Health – Digital tools for prevention, diagnosis, maternal and adolescent health, and culturally relevant healthcare access.
- Inclusion – Solutions addressing gender-specific challenges, closing data gaps, and improving accessibility for underserved groups.
- Empowerment – Innovations that promote financial inclusion, education, skill-building, and greater decision-making power for women and girls.
Brief Details
- Organizer: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
- Application Deadline: May 8, 2025 (11:59 PM (CET)
- Eligible Nations: UNICEF’s program countries, including Afghanistan
- Target Group: Open-source tech startups
- Startup Location: UNICEF’s program countries
Award Detail
The winning early-stage, for-profit technology startups will receive equity-free funding as follows:
- Up to $100,000 in equity-free funding
- Access to UNICEF’s global network and mentorship
- Support in developing open-source solutions
- Opportunity to collaborate with experts in frontier technologies
- Potential to shape the future of digital trust for children
Eligibility Criteria for the UNICEF Venture Fund
Only entities that meet these prerequisites will be qualified:
- Registered as a private for-profit company in a UNICEF program country
- Working on open-source technology solutions
- Has a product with an existing prototype of the open-source solution, with promising results from the initial test
- The solution must have the potential to impact the lives of the most vulnerable children positively.
- Generating publicly exposed real-time data that will be measurable.
- Applications must be in English.
- Women-led and women-founded startups are encouraged to apply.
- Startups run by youth under the age of 35 are encouraged to apply.
Selection Process
The selection process of the Startup is as follows:
- Initial Screening: Based on eligibility and prototype readiness
- Technical Review: Assessment of innovative potential and impact
- Pitch Presentation: Shortlisted startups present their solutions
- Final Selection: Chosen startups receive funding and mentorship
How to Apply?
- Visit the UNICEF Venture Fund website using the link below.
- Complete the online application form by May 8, 2025.
Please refer to UNICEF’s official website to learn about the UNICEF Venture Fund.
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