UNICEF Venture Fund offering up to USD 100K in equity-free funding for early-stage, tech startups creating open-source solutions improving children's lives.

The UNICEF Venture Fund is a financial mechanism aimed at supporting early-stage, open-source technology solutions with the potential to address global challenges. Specifically, its focus on AI and Blockchain for Data and Trust seeks to explore how these technologies can improve transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in addressing issues affecting children and young people worldwide.

Key Objectives:

1. Fostering Transparency:

Leveraging blockchain to create tamper-proof systems for recording and verifying data.

Improving trust in systems by making data collection, management, and sharing more transparent.

2. Building Accountability:

Using AI for analyzing vast datasets to improve decision-making processes in humanitarian and development work.

Ensuring that stakeholders in child welfare can be held accountable for their actions or decisions.

3. Promoting Inclusiveness:

Creating solutions that bridge digital divides, ensuring underserved communities have access to innovative technologies.

Using these technologies to improve service delivery in education, healthcare, and social protection.

Areas of Interest:

The fund is particularly focused on startups and initiatives that:

Use AI for predictive analytics to prevent or respond to challenges like disease outbreaks or climate-related disasters.

Employ blockchain to enhance efficiency in fund distribution, identity verification, or data security in humanitarian programs.

Innovate in creating trustworthy data-sharing platforms to address gaps in access to quality data.

Impact:

The Venture Fund supports startups with seed funding, technical assistance, and access to UNICEF’s networks. Successful projects not only deliver impactful solutions for children but also foster systemic changes in global development and humanitarian fields.

Application Process:

Organizations or startups interested in the Venture Fund must:

1. Be legally registered entities in countries eligible to receive ODA (Official Development Assistance).

2. Focus on open-source solutions (hardware or software).

3. Have a working prototype of their solution, with proof of impact or potential.

UNICEF also encourages applications from teams with diverse representation and those aiming to improve equity in technology access.

Application Portal

For more details, you can visit the UNICEF Venture Fund Website .

How to Succeed in Getting the UNICEF Venture Fund:

To successfully secure funding from the UNICEF Venture Fund, follow these key steps:

1. Align Your Project with UNICEF’s Objectives

Focus on children and youth-centric challenges, such as education, healthcare, climate resilience, social protection, or financial inclusion.

Ensure your solution leverages AI, blockchain, or emerging technologies to improve transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness.

2. Develop an Open-Source Solution

Your project must be open-source (software, hardware, or data) to align with UNICEF’s principles of scalability and collaboration.

Demonstrate how making your technology open-source will amplify its impact and sustainability.

3. Present a Working Prototype

Have a functional prototype that has been tested in real-world conditions.

Provide data to prove the feasibility and potential impact of your solution.

4. Focus on Impact and Scalability

Show how your solution will address systemic challenges and provide scalable benefits for children in underserved regions.

Highlight pathways for growth, including partnerships and implementation in low-resource settings.

5. Create a Strong Application

Demonstrate need: Articulate the specific problem your technology solves.

Evidence of impact: Use metrics, testimonials, or pilot data to show how your solution has benefited communities or organizations.

Sustainability plan: Explain how your initiative will sustain its impact post-funding, including business models, partnerships, or policy integration.

Team expertise: Showcase a diverse and capable team with experience in both technology and social development.

6. Follow Eligibility Requirements

Your organization must be legally registered in an ODA-eligible country.

Ensure compliance with application deadlines, templates, and submission guidelines provided by UNICEF.

7. Engage with UNICEF’s Network

Attend events, webinars, or forums hosted by UNICEF’s Innovation Fund to gain insights into their expectations and priorities.

Seek partnerships or mentorships from previous Venture Fund recipients.

The Impact of the UNICEF Venture Fund

The UNICEF Venture Fund has a transformative impact on global development by driving innovation for vulnerable populations, especially children and youth.

1. Global Reach

Startups funded by UNICEF have positively influenced communities in areas like Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Solutions address critical issues such as digital inclusion, climate action, and health access.

2. Advancing Technology in Development

Projects introduce cutting-edge technologies like blockchain for identity verification, digital wallets for cash transfers, and AI-driven educational tools to underserved regions.

Builds resilient and equitable systems using data-driven approaches.

3. Enabling Scalability and Sustainability

By supporting open-source technologies, the fund ensures that solutions can be replicated, customized, and expanded globally.

Examples include digital learning tools deployed across multiple countries and blockchain-powered supply chains ensuring vaccine delivery.

4. Promoting Local Innovators

Funds and supports startups from low- and middle-income countries, promoting local talent and knowledge.

Many recipients emerge as leaders in tech-driven social innovation within their regions.

5. Empowering Vulnerable Populations

Directly benefits children and youth by improving access to education, healthcare, and critical resources.

Fosters trust in digital systems that protect privacy and ensure equitable resource distribution.

To maximize your chances, clearly articulate how your project aligns with these goals and will contribute to long-term global development. Use UNICEF’s impact-focused framework to build a compelling case for your solution.