UNICEF Venture Fund 2026 for frontier climate tech for children’s health (US$100,000 in equity-free funding)

UNICEF Venture Fund calls on startups developing frontier tech solutions for children at the intersection of climate and health to join its Climate Ventures cohort. The

invests in open-source frontier technology solutions from emerging markets. For this call for applications, we are seeking proposals from climate-focused startups developing open-source frontier technology solutions that have the potential to create radical change for children.

Climate shocks are intensifying existing vulnerabilities. Despite being among the most affected, children remain underrepresented in the design of climate technologies intended to address these challenges.

By prioritizing innovations that are locally adaptable, data-driven and child-centred, Climate Ventures will help shift climate technology toward equitable impact for this and coming generations. At its core is a commitment to strengthen the resilience of systems that safeguard children’s wellbeing.

The Venture Fund champions diversity, inclusion and frontier tech innovation by backing early- and growth-stage startups leveraging AI, machine learning, blockchain and other frontier technologies, especially those that are ready to deploy in low-resource or emergency settings.

criteria:

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 o

The UNICEF Venture Fund is offering up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding for early-stage and ready-to-deploy technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and blockchain.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the UNICEF Venture Fund

The Venture Fund champions diversity, inclusion and frontier tech innovation by backing early- and growth-stage startups leveraging AI, machine learning, blockchain and other frontier technologies, especially those that are ready to deploy in low-resource or emergency settings.

Area 1: Strategic planning

Area 2: Early warning, early action

Area 3: Healthcare readiness

Area 4: Point-of-care support

Eligibility criteria:

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

Re

Apply online through the official application portal at https://www.opportunitiesforafricans.com/unicef-venture-fund-2026-for-frontier-climate-tech/