UNICEF Femtech Ventures is inviting applications from startups developing open-source technology to improve women’s and girls’ health and wellbeing. Selected companies can receive up to US$100,000 in funding, 12 months of technical mentorship and access to UNICEF’s global network. Apply by November 4, 2026.
Background & Funding Opportunity Description
The UNICEF Femtech Ventures programme is inviting applications for its second annual cohort of companies developing innovative technology solutions to improve the health, wellbeing and sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls.
The initiative is part of UNICEF’s Venture Fund and focuses on locally developed technologies that address gaps in healthcare access, reproductive health services, mental wellbeing and digital safety, particularly in emerging markets.
Selected companies can receive up to US$100,000 in funding, 12 months of technical mentorship and access to UNICEF’s global network, including relationships with governments that may help promising solutions reach more communities.
The programme supports companies using frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain and data science. Women-led startups and founders under the age of 35 are particularly encouraged to apply.
The application deadline is November 4, 2026.
Funding Opportunity Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | UNICEF Femtech Ventures |
| Organiser | UNICEF Office of Innovation |
| Funding platform | UNICEF Venture Fund |
| Opportunity | Funding and technical support for femtech companies |
| Maximum funding | US$100,000 per selected company |
| Mentorship | 12 months of technical mentorship |
| Target applicants | Eligible early- and growth-stage companies |
| Geographic eligibility | Companies registered in a UNICEF programme country |
| Technology focus | AI, machine learning, blockchain and data science |
| Required product stage | Functional prototype |
| Licensing requirement | Commitment to open-source principles |
| Application deadline | November 4, 2026 |
| Official announcement | UNICEF Femtech Ventures Call |
| Application information | Visit UNICEF’s official call page |
What the Funding Opportunity Offers
1. Funding of Up to US$100,000
Selected companies can receive up to US$100,000 to support the development and growth of technology solutions that address challenges affecting women and girls.
The programme is intended to help locally developed innovations progress towards wider adoption and greater social impact.
The advertised maximum is not a guaranteed award for every applicant. Funding decisions depend on the programme’s selection process.
2. Twelve Months of Technical Mentorship
Selected companies receive 12 months of technical mentorship to help strengthen their solutions and support their development.
This support forms part of UNICEF’s approach to helping technology companies improve their products, validate their relevance and develop pathways towards scale.
3. Access to UNICEF’s Global Network
Selected companies gain access to UNICEF’s global network, including relationships with governments.
These connections can help promising solutions explore opportunities for adoption, collaboration and expansion, subject to relevant partnerships and implementation requirements.
4. Support for Open-Source Innovation
UNICEF is seeking technology companies committed to open-source licensing and principles.
The programme promotes solutions that can be adapted, improved and used to address local needs, while requiring appropriate attention to data privacy, consent, safeguarding and user safety.
Three Priority Areas for Funding
The 2026 call focuses on three main areas of innovation.
Pillar 1: Healthcare Access for Women and Girls
This category targets technologies that improve healthcare outcomes across the continuum of care, including maternal health, antenatal and postnatal support, newborn care and services for underserved communities.
Examples of relevant innovations include:
- AI-supported tools that help frontline health workers interpret healthcare data and imagery.
- Affordable screening technologies for conditions such as anaemia, haemoglobin disorders and thyroid dysfunction.
- Digital systems connecting screening, referral and follow-up services.
- Maternal healthcare platforms that support continuity of care, including in low-connectivity environments.
- Forecasting and supply-planning tools to improve the availability of essential maternal and child health supplies.
Pillar 2: Informed, Safe and Accessible Reproductive Health
This category seeks technologies that improve women’s and girls’ access to reliable reproductive health information, services and tools.
Potential areas include:
- AI-powered reproductive health information and counselling platforms.
- Digital tools supporting community health workers and referrals.
- Technologies that improve HPV screening and prevention services.
- Platforms that improve access to financing for sexual and reproductive healthcare.
- Privacy-preserving systems that give users greater control over sensitive health information.
The programme particularly values solutions that can work in underserved languages and settings where internet access, literacy, mobility or access to healthcare may be limited.
Pillar 3: Mental Wellbeing, Safety and Protection
This category supports technologies addressing mental health, emotional wellbeing, gender-based violence and online safety.
Examples include:
- Digital mental health tools offering culturally appropriate psychosocial support.
- Decision-support systems that help community health workers identify mental health risks and determine when referrals are necessary.
- AI-enabled tools that support safe reporting and referrals for gender-based violence.
- Technologies that detect or respond to digital abuse, harassment and exploitation.
- Training and support tools for frontline workers assisting women, girls and children.
UNICEF is particularly interested in solutions that can be deployed in low-resource or emergency settings and have potential for wider use.
Qualifications (Education and Certification, Experience)
Eligible Companies
The opportunity is intended for companies developing technology solutions, rather than individuals applying for personal scholarships.
According to UNICEF’s announcement, applicants should meet these key requirements:
- Be registered in a UNICEF programme country.
- Have a functional prototype of the proposed solution.
- Be committed to open-source licensing and principles.
- Develop technology relevant to women’s and girls’ health, wellbeing or sexual and reproductive health and rights.
- Demonstrate the potential to address real-world challenges and reach more users.
The programme supports both early-stage and growth-stage companies, provided they meet the applicable criteria.
Technology Requirements
The call welcomes companies using frontier technologies such as:
- Artificial intelligence, including generative and agentic AI.
- Machine learning.
- Blockchain.
- Data science.
Solutions should respond to real needs and demonstrate potential to improve services, strengthen access or address gaps affecting women and girls.
Women-Led Startups and Young Founders
Women-led startups and founders under the age of 35 are particularly encouraged to apply.
The initiative aims to strengthen locally developed innovation in emerging markets and expand opportunities for companies addressing healthcare and technology inequalities.
These groups are encouraged to apply, but the supplied announcement does not state that all selected companies must be women-led or founded by people under 35.
Data Privacy and Safeguarding
UNICEF places strong emphasis on safety-by-design. Companies should consider how their solutions protect personal data, obtain informed consent and minimise risks to users.
This is particularly important for applications involving reproductive health information, mental health, gender-based violence and other sensitive personal data.
Additional Information
Application Deadline
Applications close on November 4, 2026.
Interested companies should review the complete eligibility and selection guidelines and begin preparing their application before the deadline.
Is This a Fully Funded Scholarship?
No. This is a company funding opportunity, not a university scholarship or an individual grant for personal expenses.
Selected companies can receive up to US$100,000 in funding and 12 months of technical mentorship. Individual eligibility, funding arrangements and investment conditions should be confirmed through UNICEF’s official documentation.
How to Apply
Step 1: Visit the official UNICEF call page.
Go to the UNICEF Femtech Ventures funding announcement and review the programme information.
Step 2: Check your company’s eligibility.
Confirm that the company is registered in a UNICEF programme country, has a functional prototype and is committed to open-source principles.
Step 3: Identify the relevant priority area.
Determine whether your solution addresses healthcare access, reproductive health, or mental wellbeing, safety and protection.
Step 4: Review the selection guidelines.
Read UNICEF’s official guidance on eligibility, application procedures, selection and investment support.
Step 5: Prepare your application.
Be ready to explain the problem your technology solves, how it works, the users it serves and how it could be adopted or scaled. Pay particular attention to privacy, consent, safeguarding and evidence supporting the solution’s effectiveness.
Step 6: Submit before the deadline.
Follow the application instructions linked from UNICEF’s official page and submit by November 4, 2026.
Visit UNICEF Femtech Ventures to Apply
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is UNICEF Femtech Ventures?
It is a UNICEF initiative supporting companies developing technology solutions to improve the health, wellbeing and sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls in emerging markets.
2. How much funding is available?
Selected companies can receive up to US$100,000 in funding.
3. Does the programme provide mentorship?
Yes. Selected companies receive 12 months of technical mentorship and access to UNICEF’s global network.
4. What is the application deadline?
Applications close on November 4, 2026.
5. Who can apply?
Eligible companies registered in a UNICEF programme country that have a functional prototype and are committed to open-source licensing and principles are encouraged to apply.
6. Can individual entrepreneurs apply without a registered company?
The announcement specifically seeks applications from companies. Applicants should confirm the legal registration and organisational requirements in UNICEF’s eligibility guidelines before proceeding.
7. Which technologies are eligible?
The call welcomes solutions using artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, data science and related frontier technologies.
8. Which sectors are prioritised?
The three priority areas are healthcare access for women and girls, informed and accessible reproductive health, and mental wellbeing, safety and protection.
9. Are women-led startups eligible?
Yes. Women-led startups are particularly encouraged to apply. Young founders under the age of 35 are also encouraged.
10. Is this opportunity open to African companies?
Companies registered in a UNICEF programme country may be eligible, subject to the full requirements. Interested African startups should confirm that their country and company meet UNICEF’s criteria.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
UNICEF Femtech Ventures presents a potential opportunity for eligible startups developing technology to address major gaps in women’s and girls’ health, reproductive healthcare, mental wellbeing and digital safety.
The combination of up to US$100,000 in funding, 12 months of technical mentorship and access to UNICEF’s global network could help selected companies develop and scale solutions with meaningful social impact.
However, applicants must meet the programme’s organisational, technical and open-source requirements. The opportunity is intended for eligible companies with functional prototypes, not individuals seeking scholarships or general startup funding without a qualifying solution.
Companies interested in applying should review the official guidelines and submit their applications before November 4, 2026.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares external funding announcements for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with UNICEF and does not participate in funding or selection decisions. Applicants should verify eligibility, funding conditions, application requirements and deadlines through the official UNICEF website.
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