UNICEF Opens Femtech Funding Call, Offers Up to $100,000 to Startups
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), through its Venture Fund, has opened applications for its 2026 Femtech Ventures funding opportunity.
It is inviting technology startups to develop innovative solutions that improve the health, wellbeing and socioeconomic participation of women and girls.
The initiative targets early-stage and growth-stage companies using frontier technologies to address persistent challenges affecting women and girls, particularly in underserved communities across emerging markets.
Selected companies will receive up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding, alongside 12 months of technical mentorship and access to UNICEF’s global network, including relationships with governments, to help scale their solutions.
The programme is part of UNICEF Femtech Ventures, a five-year initiative running from 2025 to 2030 to support locally developed technologies that advance women’s health, safety and economic opportunities.
Focus Areas of the Funding Opportunity
For the 2026 application round, UNICEF is seeking innovative solutions across three priority areas.
Healthcare access for women and girls: The programme supports technologies that improve access to quality healthcare, including antenatal and postnatal care, newborn health and community-based health services.
Sexual and reproductive health: Eligible innovations may include digital platforms that provide accessible reproductive health information, AI-powered counselling, community health worker tools and technologies that strengthen privacy and informed decision-making.
Mental wellbeing, safety and protection: UNICEF is interested in solutions addressing maternal and adolescent mental health, gender-based violence, online abuse, digital safety and access to psychosocial support.
The fund particularly welcomes solutions using artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, blockchain and data science, especially those designed for low-resource settings.
Who Can Apply?
The opportunity is open to eligible companies developing technology-driven solutions that address challenges affecting women and girls in low- and middle-income economies.
Applicants are expected to meet the following requirements:
- Be a registered company in a UNICEF programme country.
- Have a functional prototype of the proposed technology.
- Demonstrate commitment to open-source licensing and principles.
- Develop a solution with the potential to improve health, wellbeing or access to essential services for women and girls.
- Demonstrate responsible approaches to data privacy, security, inclusion and user protection.
Women-led startups and founders under 35 years old are particularly encouraged to apply.
Benefits of the Programme
Successful applicants will receive up to $100,000 in equity-free funding, meaning the funding does not require the startup to surrender company ownership in exchange for the investment.
Participating companies will also benefit from 12 months of technical mentorship, guidance from specialists and opportunities to connect with UNICEF’s international network to strengthen their solutions and expand their reach.
The programme aims to help promising technology ventures validate their innovations, improve their products and build pathways towards sustainable growth.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the 2026 Femtech Ventures funding opportunity is November 4, 2026.
How to Apply
Interested startups should review the eligibility requirements and application guidelines before completing the online application.
Apply now: https://form.jotform.com/262722015144346
For full details about the funding opportunity, eligibility requirements and selection process, visit the official UNICEF Femtech Ventures page.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline and ensure that all required information accurately reflects their company, technology and expected social impact.
