The UNICEF Venture Fund is offering up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding to early-stage, for-profit startups that leverage frontier technologies—such as artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and blockchain—for social impact. This initiative aims to improve the health, well-being, and socio-economic participation of women and girls.
Eligibility Criteria:
Startups should focus on one or more of the following areas:
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Improving Health Outcomes for Women and Girls:
- Developing digital health solutions for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Creating AI-driven or data-powered platforms addressing maternal, reproductive, and adolescent health.
- Offering on-demand referral services to enhance access to healthcare and culturally relevant information.
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Addressing Challenges Faced by Women and Girls:
- Closing the gender data gap to drive inclusive decision-making.
- Improving accessibility of platforms for underserved communities, including persons with disabilities.
- Designing solutions that tackle gender-specific challenges across various cultural and economic contexts.
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Empowering Women and Girls Socially and Economically:
- Expanding financial inclusion and access to economic opportunities.
- Enabling safe access to education, training, and skill-building.
- Supporting agency, decision-making power, and workforce participation.
Application Process:
Interested and qualified candidates should apply by May 8, 2025. Detailed application procedures and further information can be found on the official UNICEF Venture Fund website.
Additional Context:
Research indicates that female-founded startups often face significant funding disadvantages, primarily due to relocation challenges tied to family obligations. However, larger cohorts and higher-quality accelerators can help reduce this gap by offering female founders better networking opportunities and mentorship.
Moreover, while gender diversity contributes to startup success, most funding is allocated to male-only entrepreneurial teams. The gender of the CEO has been identified as a primary factor influencing the likelihood of securing funding.
Programs like the UNICEF Venture Fund play a crucial role in addressing these disparities by providing targeted support to female-led tech solutions, thereby fostering a more inclusive and equitable startup ecosystem.
