UNICEF's Venture Fund is seeking compensation of up to US$$100K in non-equity investments to provide early-stage (seed) technology startup funding for for-profit startups developing software solutions using cutting-edge technologies for climate action. If your startup leverages cutting-edge technology for climate analysis and forecasting, greener economies, climate and disaster risk mitigation, carbon offsetting or emissions reduction, or youth engagement around climate action, we are looking for you.

If your product is registered in one of the UNICEF program countries, is a working prototype, has demonstrated results, and is (or can be) open source licensed, we encourage you to apply.

Objectives and benefits of the UNICEF Venture Fund for frontier technology solutions:

• All companies in the portfolio receive personalized support for product development, building a business model, and user testing based on their own needs assessment. Startups also gain access to the technical expertise, networks, and platforms of the UNICEF Ventures team to help them reach the stage where they can prove their solutions work and explore larger sources of funding.
• Business growth: A network of mentors helps startup teams develop their business model and strategy around an open-source technology, to grow their company and ultimately make a profit.
• Product development: In addition to financial investment, startups and UNICEF National Offices receive technical assistance from the UNICEF Ventures team and dedicated expert mentors to help validate and improve their solutions. Connections with partners provide valuable insights into product development.
• Product development: In addition to financial investment, startups and UNICEF National Offices receive technical assistance from the UNICEF Ventures team and dedicated expert mentors to help validate and improve their solutions. Connections with partners provide valuable insights into product development.
• UNICEF Network: Startups can leverage UNICEF Ventures' dedicated Data Science team, which hosts and shares data platforms including RapidPro and Magic Box, access unique testing environments such as drone corridors and national office programs, and utilize business partners for potential follow-on funding.

What types of ideas/companies will the Innovation Fund support?

• The project is developing new technology.
• The project is expanding/improving existing technology/platform (i.e., it will be in a location where the technology is already being used, but will involve building new technologies).
• The project is a new application/pilot for a new use of existing technology (i.e., little or no new technology will be built and will be used in the same location).

UNICEF Venture Fund eligibility requirements for frontier technology solutions

Projects are evaluated by the UNICEF Innovation Fund team and recommended for funding to internal management. Companies must meet the following mandatory requirements to be considered for funding:

• Registered as a private company
• Registered in a UNICEF program country (See list here)
• Working on open-source technology solutions (or willing to be open-source) under the following licenses or their equivalent:
• (i) for software, a BSD license,
• (ii) for hardware, a CERN license and
• (iii) a CC-BY license for design or content, a CC-BY license
• An existing prototype of the open-source solution with promising results from initial pilots.
• The solution has the potential to have a positive impact on the lives of the most vulnerable children.
• Generating publicly available, real-time, measurable data.

Date of the interview, process and location for the UNICEF Venture Fund for frontier technology solutions.
The following criteria will be used:

• Relevance of the solution for children and young people, suitability of the solution to the problems, and potential for global application.
• Project innovation and alignment with the Principles of Innovation
• Suitability of the team and key personnel for implementing the project.
• Budget and project funding

Please review here Additional information for the Expression of Interest Request.

How to apply:

Interested and qualified? Go to United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) at form.jotform.com to apply.

For more details, visit the website of UNICEF fund