UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026

UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026 is a funding opportunity for technology startups developing innovative solutions to improve the health, wellbeing, and safety of women and girls.

Through the UNICEF Venture Fund, selected startups can receive up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding, 12 months of technical mentorship, and access to UNICEF's global network of experts and partners.

The program supports early-stage and growth-stage companies using technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and blockchain to address challenges in underserved communities.

Priority Areas

The program focuses on three main areas:

• Healthcare access: Digital solutions that improve maternal healthcare, early diagnosis, screening, and access to essential medical services.

• Reproductive health: Technologies that provide accessible reproductive healthcare information, services, and privacy-focused health tools.

• Mental wellbeing and safety: Innovations addressing mental health, gender-based violence, digital abuse, and the protection of women and girls.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must:

• Be legally registered as a private, for-profit company in a UNICEF programme country.

• Have a functional prototype of their technology solution.

• Develop an open-source solution or be willing to make their solution open source.

• Demonstrate how their technology addresses relevant challenges for women and girls.

Women-led or women-founded startups and founders under 35 are particularly encouraged to apply, but these are not mandatory requirements.

What Does the Program Offer?

Selected startups receive:

• Up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding, meaning UNICEF does not take an ownership stake in the company.

• 12 months of technical mentorship and guidance.

• Access to UNICEF's international network, including experts, government partners, and potential opportunities to scale their solutions.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online in English.

Applicants will need to provide information about their company, team, technology, current development stage, proposed project, and funding needs.

The application also requires:

• A link to an accessible code repository.

• Details of prototype testing and results.

• Proposed targets and milestones for the next 12 months.

• A pitch video of up to two minutes showing the actual team and a demonstration of the working solution. AI-generated presenters or synthetic video footage are not accepted.

Application deadline: November 4, 2026, at 11:59 PM CET.