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The UNICEF Venture Fund is one of the very few sources of equity-free capital targeted specifically at AI and machine learning companies based in the Global South, and its eligibility rules are the opposite of most international funds - being registered in a low or middle income country is a requirement rather than an obstacle.
Selected companies receive up to USD 100,000 in equity-free funding, disbursed against milestones over a 12 to 18 month investment period, plus tailored technical mentorship and strategic support from UNICEF's Office of Innovation. Three conditions define the fund and each screens out otherwise strong applicants. The company must be registered in a UNICEF programme country.
It must already have a viable working prototype - the fund invests in existing open-source code, not in concepts, and applications without functioning software are filtered early. And it must commit to open-source licensing and practices, meaning the funded work must be released under an open licence, which is a strategic decision founders should make deliberately rather than accept as paperwork.
The fund runs multiple thematic cohorts rather than a single annual call. The standing AI and machine learning track supports solutions improving access to and delivery of digital services for children and young people.
Recent cycles have also run a Climate Ventures cohort for climate and children's health technology, with applications open until 17 May 2026, and a Blockchain Ventures cohort seeking already-functional, deployment-ready products. Women-led startups, young founders and founders from emerging markets are explicitly encouraged.
Because cohorts open and close on different schedules, the open call page is worth monitoring continuously rather than annually.
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Or search similar grants →According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Applicants must be early-stage, for-profit technology companies registered in a UNICEF programme country - the fund is designed for the Global South and registration in a low or middle income programme country is a hard requirement. The company must have a viable working prototype in existence at the time of application; concept-stage applications without functioning software are not considered. The company must commit to open-source licensing and practices, and funded technology must be released openly. Solutions must have the potential to improve the lives of children and young people. The standing AI and machine learning call seeks solutions that improve access to and delivery of digital services; separate thematic cohorts run on their own schedules, including a Climate Ventures cohort for climate and children's health technology, with applications open until 17 May 2026, and a Blockchain Ventures cohort seeking already-functional, deployment-ready products. Selected companies receive up to USD 100,000 in equity-free funding disbursed against agreed milestones across a 12 to 18 month investment period, along with tailored technical mentorship and strategic support from UNICEF's Office of Innovation. UNICEF takes no equity. Women-led startups, young founders and founders from emerging markets are explicitly encouraged to apply. Because multiple cohorts open and close at different times through the year, applicants should monitor the UNICEF Office of Innovation open call page and the UNICEF Venture Fund application portal rather than waiting for an annual announcement. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows up to USD 100,000 in equity-free funding per company, paid against milestones over a 12 to 18 month investment period, together with tailored technical mentorship and strategic support. Additional cohort-specific calls, including climate and health and blockchain tracks, carry the same USD 100,000 ceiling. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
UNICEF Venture Fund Open Call for AI and Machine Learning Startups in Programme Countries with Equity-Free Funding is funded by UNICEF Office of Innovation (UNICEF Venture Fund). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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