UNICEF Innovation Fund

UNICEF Innovation Fund is sponsored by UNICEF. The UNICEF Innovation Fund provides equity-free investments to early-stage (seed) for-profit technology start-ups that use machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, or extended reality to benefit humanity, including preventing online child abuse and exploitation.

UNICEF Venture Fund | UNICEF Office of Innovation Selecting a value will cause the page to reload with filter applied.

Flexible funding and mentorship for innovators in emerging economies Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality Data science and artificial intelligence Entrepreneurs in UNICEF programme countries often lack access to flexible funding and connections to global networks of innovators, mentors and technology platforms to develop their solutions.

The UNICEF Venture Fund collaborates with innovators on the ground in emerging economies to build and test new solutions at the pace required to keep up with the rapidly evolving challenges facing children. The Venture Fund was launched by UNICEF in 2014 and invested in its first cohort in 2016.

Since then, the USD $35 million investment fund has been adapting and evolving in the complex world of identifying and growing innovations for children. The UNICEF Venture Fund makes $50k–$100K early-stage investments as well as $200k–$400K in growth stage investments in technologies for children developed by UNICEF country offices or companies in UNICEF programme countries.

By providing flexible funding to early-stage innovators, the Fund enables UNICEF to quickly assess, fund, and grow open-source technology solutions that show potential to positively impact the lives of vulnerable children. The Objective is to identify and pilot promising frontier technologies to develop scalable platforms that UNICEF can use in a range of applications and country settings.

The fund seeks to achieve this by identifying clusters or portfolios of initiatives around emerging technology - so that UNICEF can shape markets, learn from and provoke these technology sectors to benefit children. Such an investment method allows UNICEF to take small risks within particular technology portfolios, and ensure that even if many of the investments fail, the portfolio is a success.

The Portfolio includes 147 investments, including 81 to startup companies in countries where UNICEF is active. The Fund aims to grow its portfolio by 30 investments every year. In 2023, the Fund invested in its first Climate Tech Cohort of innovative companies that are leveraging frontier technologies to strengthen climate resilience .

Expanding the Fund’s reach to a diverse range of countries such as Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, Mali, Timor Leste, Cameroon, and Albania---with four of these solutions led or founded by women---this cohort encompasses a diverse array of solutions, including but not limited to early warning systems, waste management platforms, community engagement initiatives, solarization efforts, and greenhouse gas accounting and estimation tools.

Contact: [email protected] Exploring sustainable funding for digital public goods A blockchain-based app offers an innovative, sustainable potential solution to the problem of stable funding for open-source software and DPGs How Artificial Intelligence is strengthening humanitarian cash transfers in Yemen Artificial Intelligence for early childhood innovation How frontier tech is helping UNICEF Bolivia and government partners deliver for families How We Venture: Emerging Technologies for Emerging Markets The UNICEF Venture Fund identifies tech that improves the lives of children and their communities Investing in bold climate tech solutions Protecting children and building resilient communities What You Should Know About Fem Tech and Why Leveraging innovative solutions improving the health, wellness and socio-economic participation of women and girls.

Addressing Air Pollution with Artificial Intelligence Ensuring cleaner air – with and for children and young people UNICEF Venture Fund Joins Lido Impact Staking The collaboration marks significant milestone for institutional philanthropy in Web3 and sustainable funding for social innovation.

UNICEF Climate Innovation Challenge A call to early and growth stage frontier tech start-ups in emerging economies Equity-Free Funding Opportunity for Fem Tech Solutions Improving the health, wellbeing and socio-economic participation of women and girls.

Open Call for Applications Unlocking the Power of AI and Blockchain for Data Integrity and Trust UNICEF Funding Opportunity for Health Tech Startups Call for Frontier Technology Applications for Strengthening Systems for Health, Nutrition and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support UNICEF Innovation Fund Tech Cohorts Supporting Palestine refugee children’s well-being in Jordan UNRWA and Tilli partner to deliver social-emotional learning to first graders UNICEF backs start-ups building digital trust Equipping young people with the tools and digital literacy to identify misinformation and source accurate data Strengthening Health Systems with Actionable and Affordable Data Four Startups Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Strength UNICEF Venture Fund announces a new cohort improving access to quality health care services in emerging economies.

Find out more about UNICEF's Venture Fund View our portfolio, and learn how you can apply for seed funding.

Open Call for Applications Unlocking the Power of AI and Blockchain for Data Integrity and Trust Investing in Blockchain, Web3, and AI for Social Impact UNICEF Venture Fund Onboards Its Third Growth Cohort 27 Start-Ups Announced as Founding Members of UNICEF Venture The frontier tech start-ups from emerging economies pledge to “give forward” to support just and open innovation for children.

Investing in Women in Technology 7 entrepreneurs leveraging frontier tech to improve the lives of children