UNICEF Equity-Free Funding Opportunity for Fem Tech Solutions (US$100K Grant)

Mercy Awofiranye

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Apply for up to $100,000 in equity-free funding from the UNICEF Venture Fund to develop tech solutions that improve the lives of women and girls. Apply below: 

When is the Application Deadline:

The application deadline is 8 May 2025.  

Tell Me About The UNICEF Venture Fund:

The UNICEF Venture Fund is calling for applications from start-ups developing cutting edge tech solutions improving access to quality health care and services, and ensuring socio-economic participation of women and girls. 

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 The Fund is offering up to US$100K in equity-free funding to early-stage, for-profit startups leveraging frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and blockchain for social impact. 

Applications are open to start-ups in low- and middle-income economies developing Open Source technology that improves health outcomes, economic participation, or access to essential services for women and girls. Women-led startups and young founders (under the age of 35) are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Which Fields are Eligible?

All fields 

Type:

Venture Fund 

Who can Apply For The UNICEF Venture Fund?

UNICEF is looking to provide investment-style funding to early-stage technology startups. Only entities that fulfill these mandatory requirements will be considered eligible:

  • Registered as a private company at the time of the Innovation Fund award (projected: 3 months from submission of EOI) 
  • A private company registered in a UNICEF programme country 
  • Working on open source technology solutions (or willing to be open source) under the following licenses or their equivalent:
  • (i) for software, a GNU General Public license, MIT or BSD, 
  • (ii) for hardware, a CERN, MIT or TAPR open license and 
  • (iii) for design or content, a CC-BY license 
  • An existing prototype of the open source solution with promising results from initial pilots Solution has the potential to positively impact the lives of the most vulnerable children Generating publicly exposed real-time data that is measurable 
  • UNICEF’s Innovation Principles

How are Applicants Selected?

Applicants will be evaluated based on:

  • The impact of the technology on improving health outcomes, economic participation, or access to essential services for women and girls
  • Innovation and scalability of the solution using frontier technologies
  • Commitment to inclusivity, efficiency, and personalization for women and girls, especially in low-resource environments
  • Data privacy, security, and user control over personal information
  • Inclusivity for persons with disabilities
  • Unbiased, representative data and actively mitigating discrimination

Which Countries Are Eligible?

Low and middle-income countries 

Where will the Award be Taken?

Recipient’s countries 

How Many Awards?

Not specified

What is the Benefit of the UNICEF Venture Fund?

Additionally, the benefits include:

  • Equity-free funding of up to US$100,000
  • Support for the development of technologies that improve healthcare, economic participation, and socio-economic outcomes for women and girls

How to Apply:

Author

  • Mercy Awofiranye is a creative writer with over five years of experience. Currently, she specializes in creating helpful content for students in the education space. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, and learning new things.

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