Startups developing technology to improve women’s and girls’ health, wellbeing and access to essential services are being invited to apply for funding of up to US$100,000 through UNICEF’s Femtech Ventures initiative.
The funding opportunity, announced by the UNICEF Office of Innovation, forms part of a five-year programme running from 2025 to 2030. It supports locally developed technology solutions addressing challenges in women’s health, sexual and reproductive health, mental wellbeing, safety and economic participation.
Selected companies will receive up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding, 12 months of technical mentorship and access to UNICEF’s global network, including its relationships with governments and other partners. The aim is to help promising solutions develop and reach more of the communities they are designed to serve.
Applications must be submitted by 4 November 2026.
Who Can Apply?
The call is open to eligible early-stage and growth-stage companies developing technology solutions for women and girls in emerging markets.
According to UNICEF, applicants should be registered in a country where the organisation operates a programme, have a functional prototype and be committed to open-source licensing and principles.
The programme is seeking companies using frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, blockchain and data science. Solutions should address identifiable needs, demonstrate potential for wider adoption and be suitable for the communities they intend to serve.
Women-led startups and founders under the age of 35 are particularly encouraged to apply, although the opportunity is not restricted exclusively to businesses founded or led by women.
Three Areas of Innovation
UNICEF has identified three priority areas for this funding round, covering healthcare access, reproductive health and mental wellbeing, safety and protection.
1. Healthcare Access for Women and Girls
The first area focuses on technology that can improve access to quality healthcare, particularly in primary care and community settings where medical resources may be limited.
Examples include digital tools for antenatal and postnatal care, affordable screening technologies, AI-supported tools to help frontline health workers interpret clinical information, and platforms that connect patients with screening, referrals and follow-up services.
UNICEF is also interested in technology that strengthens maternal and child healthcare systems, including tools that help ensure essential medical supplies are available where they are needed.
Solutions that can operate in low-connectivity environments and support healthcare workers serving underserved communities are of particular interest.
2. Reproductive Health Information and Services
The second area covers technology that helps women and girls access reliable information and services relating to sexual and reproductive health.
Potential solutions include AI-powered platforms providing reproductive health information in underserved languages, digital systems supporting community health workers, and technology to improve human papillomavirus (HPV) screening and prevention services.
UNICEF is also looking for tools that improve access to financing for reproductive healthcare and protect sensitive personal health information.
Privacy, informed decision-making and users’ control over their data are important considerations for this category.
3. Mental Wellbeing, Safety and Protection
The third area focuses on psychological, emotional and digital safety, including the needs of women, girls and children.
Eligible innovations may include digital mental health and psychosocial support services, tools that help community health workers identify mental health risks, and AI-enabled platforms supporting the detection of and response to gender-based violence.
The call also covers technology addressing online harassment, digital abuse and exploitation, as well as solutions that help teachers, social workers and community health workers identify risks and connect people with appropriate support.
UNICEF is particularly interested in accessible solutions that can respond to local circumstances and work in environments where services and infrastructure are limited.
What Selected Startups Will Receive
Successful applicants will join UNICEF Femtech Ventures’ portfolio and receive a package of financial and technical support.
Equity-free funding: Selected companies can receive up to US$100,000. The funding is equity-free, meaning it does not require UNICEF to take an ownership stake in the company.
Technical mentorship: Companies will receive 12 months of technical mentorship to help develop and strengthen their solutions.
Access to UNICEF’s network: Participants will gain access to UNICEF’s global network, including relationships with governments and other stakeholders, which may help them explore opportunities to deploy and scale their technologies.
The programme also places importance on open-source development. Applicants must be committed to open-source licensing and principles, supporting the development of technology that can be adapted and reused beyond a single company or market.
The maximum funding available is US$100,000 per selected company. UNICEF has not stated that every successful applicant will automatically receive the maximum amount.
Focus on Locally Developed Technology
Femtech Ventures is part of the UNICEF Venture Fund’s work to support early-stage technology developed in emerging markets.
The initiative seeks solutions built close to the communities whose needs they address. This includes technologies that can function in low-resource or emergency settings, accommodate different languages and levels of digital access, and be adapted to local healthcare and social systems.
Data protection and user safety are also central to the programme. UNICEF says it expects solutions to consider privacy, consent and potential risks to users from the design stage.
The second call will expand a portfolio that began with 11 companies from eight countries across Africa and Asia. The new funding round is intended to identify further companies developing technology to improve outcomes for women and girls.
How to Apply
Eligible companies can submit an application through the official UNICEF Femtech Ventures funding page.
Applicants should review the programme’s requirements before applying, particularly the conditions concerning company registration, a functional prototype and open-source licensing.
They should also be prepared to explain the problem their technology addresses, how it works, who it is intended to serve and how it could deliver measurable benefits. Solutions should demonstrate relevance to local needs and potential to reach more users.
Application deadline: 4 November 2026.
Startups can review the requirements and submit an application through the official UNICEF Femtech Ventures application page.
