UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐. Applications are open for the UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026 funding call, offering eligible technology startups up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding, 12 months of technical mentorship, and access to UNICEFโs global network. The call targets companies using frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain and data science to improve the health, wellbeing, safety and sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls. Applications close on 4 November 2026 at 11:59 PM CET.
โ ๏ธ Important Accuracy Note
This opportunity is offered through:
UNICEF FEMTECH VENTURES
which is part of the:
UNICEF VENTURE FUND.
Femtech Ventures is a five-year initiative running from 2025 to 2030 and focuses on investing in locally developed frontier technologies for women and girls in emerging markets.
The current call is the:
SECOND ANNUAL FEMTECH VENTURES COHORT.
Selected companies can receive:
๐ฐ UP TO US$100,000
in:
โ EQUITY-FREE FUNDING
plus:
๐ง 12 MONTHS OF TECHNICAL MENTORSHIP
and:
๐ ACCESS TO UNICEFโS GLOBAL NETWORK.
However:
โ ๏ธ US$100,000 IS THE MAXIMUM AVAILABLE โ NOT A GUARANTEED AMOUNT FOR EVERY SELECTED STARTUP.
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
The deadline is:
๐จ 4 NOVEMBER 2026 AT 11:59 PM CET.
๐ UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | UNICEF |
| Programme | UNICEF Femtech Ventures |
| Fund | UNICEF Venture Fund |
| Call | Second Annual Femtech Cohort |
| Funding | Up to US$100,000 |
| Funding Type | Equity-Free |
| Mentorship | 12 Months |
| Geographic Focus | UNICEF Programme Countries / Emerging Markets |
| Eligible Entity | Private For-Profit Company |
| Individuals | Not Eligible |
| NGOs / CSOs | Not Directly Eligible |
| Prototype | Functional / Working Prototype Required |
| Open Source | Required or Willingness to Open Source |
| Main Technology Areas | AI, Machine Learning, Data Science, Blockchain & Other Frontier Technologies |
| Main Focus | Womenโs & Girlsโ Health, SRHR, Mental Wellbeing, Safety & Protection |
| Women-Led Startups | Strongly Encouraged |
| Youth-Led Startups | Strongly Encouraged |
| Youth Definition | Founder/Leader Under 35 |
| Application Language | English |
| Pitch Video | Required |
| Repository | Required |
| Application Deadline | November 4, 2026 at 11:59 PM CET |
| Status | Applications Open |
UNICEF says the call is especially interested in companies that are registered in a UNICEF programme country, have a functional prototype, and are committed to open-source principles.
๐๏ธ About UNICEF Femtech Ventures
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
UNICEF Femtech Ventures was established to address persistent gaps in technology investment and access affecting women and girls in emerging markets.
The initiative focuses on solutions that can expand access to:
๐ฅ HEALTHCARE
๐คฐ MATERNAL HEALTH
โ๏ธ SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
๐ง MENTAL HEALTH
๐ก๏ธ SAFETY
and:
๐ DIGITAL INCLUSION.
UNICEF says its first global femtech call received more than 1,100 submissions from 85 countries, with more than half of applications coming from Africa.
The current second cohort builds on an initial portfolio of companies from:
๐ AFRICA
and:
๐ ASIA.
๐ฐ How Much Funding Is Available?
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
Selected companies can receive:
๐ต UP TO US$100,000
from the UNICEF Venture Fund.
The funding is:
โ EQUITY-FREE.
This means UNICEF does:
โ NOT TAKE SHARES
and:
โ NOT REQUIRE A FINANCIAL RETURN
from the company.
Instead, the funded solution is expected to comply with UNICEFโs:
OPEN-SOURCE REQUIREMENTS.
The company remains the holder of its other intellectual property, while the funded solution or relevant funded components must be made openly licensed according to the Venture Fund conditions.
๐ง What Other Support Is Provided?
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
Funding is only one part of the programme.
Selected startups receive:
๐งโ๐ป 12 MONTHS OF TECHNICAL MENTORSHIP
and access to:
๐ UNICEFโS GLOBAL NETWORK
including relationships with:
๐๏ธ GOVERNMENTS
๐งโ๐ฌ TECHNICAL EXPERTS
๐ค PARTNERS
and:
๐ INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS.
The aim is to help companies move promising solutions toward:
PILOTING
VALIDATION
DEPLOYMENT
and:
SCALE.
๐ฏ Who Is UNICEF Looking For?
UNICEF is looking for companies developing:
LOCALLY GROUNDED FRONTIER-TECH SOLUTIONS
that have the potential to scale.
Particular interest is given to technologies including:
๐ค ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
๐ง MACHINE LEARNING
๐ DATA SCIENCE
โ๏ธ BLOCKCHAIN
and:
๐ OTHER FRONTIER TECHNOLOGIES.
The programme supports solutions suited to:
RESOURCE-CONSTRAINED SETTINGS
UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
and:
EMERGENCY ENVIRONMENTS.
๐ฅ Pillar 1: Healthcare Access for Women and Girls
The first funding pillar focuses on improving healthcare access and health outcomes for women and girls.
UNICEF is particularly interested in technologies for:
๐คฐ ANTENATAL CARE
๐ฉโ๐ผ POSTNATAL CARE
๐ถ NEWBORN & CHILD HEALTH
and:
๐ฅ PRIMARY & COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE.
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
๐ฌ Point-of-Care Tools
Potential solutions include technologies that can automatically interpret:
HEALTH DATA
CLINICAL INFORMATION
or:
MEDICAL IMAGERY
to help frontline health workers make faster and more reliable decisions.
๐ฉธ Affordable Screening Technologies
UNICEF highlights technologies that can improve screening for conditions including:
ANAEMIA
HAEMOGLOBINOPATHIES
FERRITIN STATUS
and:
THYROID CONDITIONS.
These tools should ideally be usable in:
PRIMARY CARE
and:
COMMUNITY SETTINGS.
๐คฐ Maternal Health Platforms
UNICEF also seeks technologies supporting continuity of care from:
CONCEPTION
through:
THE FIRST 1,000 DAYS OF A CHILDโS LIFE.
Remote-care solutions that work in:
LOW-BANDWIDTH SETTINGS
are especially relevant.
๐ฆ Supply Forecasting
Solutions can also address:
MATERNAL HEALTH SUPPLY FORECASTING
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
WORKFORCE CAPACITY
STAFFING
and:
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER SUPPORT.
โ๏ธ Pillar 2: Informed, Safe and Accessible Reproductive Health
The second pillar focuses on improving access to:
SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS โ SRHR.
UNICEF is seeking technology that helps women and girls overcome barriers caused by:
DISTANCE
COST
STIGMA
and:
RESTRICTED MOBILITY.
๐ค AI-Powered Reproductive Health Platforms
Relevant solutions include AI tools that provide:
PERSONALIZED HEALTH INFORMATION
COUNSELLING
and:
GUIDANCE
in:
UNDERSERVED LANGUAGES
or:
LOW-LITERACY SETTINGS.
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Community Health Worker Platforms
Another priority is technology that helps community health workers deliver:
CASE MANAGEMENT
REFERRALS
and:
FOLLOW-UP SERVICES.
๐งฌ HPV Screening
UNICEF specifically mentions technologies that improve:
HPV DETECTION
HPV SCREENING
and:
PREVENTION SERVICES
in low-resource health systems.
๐ณ Financing Sexual and Reproductive
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
Healthcare
Solutions may also focus on:
FINANCIAL ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES
including technology that connects women and girls to affordable sexual and reproductive healthcare.
๐ Privacy-Preserving Health Data
UNICEF is also interested in technologies that allow women and girls greater control over:
HOW PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION IS COLLECTED
and:
HOW IT IS USED.
๐ง Pillar 3: Mental Wellbeing, Safety and Protection
The third funding area focuses on:
๐ง MENTAL HEALTH
๐ก๏ธ SAFETY
๐ซ GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
๐ฑ ONLINE ABUSE
and:
๐ TRAUMA RESPONSE.
๐ง Digital Mental Health
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
UNICEF seeks culturally appropriate digital tools providing:
PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT
for:
WOMEN
ADOLESCENT GIRLS
and:
CHILDREN.
Solutions integrating maternal mental-health screening with systems such as:
DHIS2
are among the examples highlighted.
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Decision Support for Frontline Workers
Technology can also help frontline workers:
IDENTIFY MENTAL HEALTH RISKS
PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SUPPORT
and:
DETERMINE WHEN SPECIALIST REFERRAL IS REQUIRED.
๐ซ Gender-Based Violence Technology
UNICEF is interested in AI-enabled systems for:
EARLY DETECTION OF GBV RISKS
SAFE REPORTING
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
and:
REFERRAL TO SUPPORT SERVICES.
๐ฑ Online Safety
Potential solutions include technologies designed to:
IDENTIFY
FLAG
and:
RESPOND TO
digital:
HARASSMENT
ABUSE
and:
EXPLOITATION
targeting women and girls.
โ Who Can Apply?
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
The UNICEF Venture Fund eligibility rules require the applying organisation to be:
๐ข A PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT COMPANY.
The company must also be:
๐ REGISTERED IN A UNICEF PROGRAMME COUNTRY.
โ Can Individuals Apply?
NO.
Individuals cannot submit an eligible application on their own.
The applicant must be a:
LEGALLY REGISTERED PRIVATE COMPANY.
โ Can NGOs Apply?
NOT DIRECTLY THROUGH THIS INVESTMENT VEHICLE.
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
UNICEF states that:
NGOs
and:
CSOs
are not eligible as the primary applying entity.
However, an NGO may potentially participate as a:
PARTNER
or:
ADVISER
to an eligible private company.
๐ Is a Degree Required?
โ NO.
UNICEF does not require founders or team members to hold a particular:
DEGREE
or:
UNIVERSITY QUALIFICATION.
Instead, UNICEF evaluates whether the team has:
THE EXPERIENCE
TECHNICAL CAPACITY
and:
PERSONNEL
needed to implement the proposed solution.
๐งช Is a Working Prototype Required?
โ YES.
Applicants must have:
AN ACTIVE FUNCTIONAL PROTOTYPE.
UNICEF describes an active prototype as one that:
WORKS
and:
HAS GENERATED INITIAL DATA OR TESTING RESULTS.
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
An early idea with no functioning prototype is therefore unlikely to satisfy the minimum eligibility criteria.
๐ Open-Source Requirement
The funded solution must be:
โ OPEN SOURCE
or:
โ THE COMPANY MUST BE WILLING TO MAKE IT OPEN SOURCE.
UNICEF says funded technology should generally move to an approved open-source licence during the investment period.
Possible licences include:
SOFTWARE
- GNU licences
- BSD
- MIT
HARDWARE
- CERN
- MIT
- TAPR
CONTENT OR DESIGN
- CC-BY.
Companies do not necessarily have to open-source every product they have.
The key requirement applies to the solution or technology receiving UNICEF funding.
๐ป Repository Requirement
Applicants must provide a valid:
GITHUB
BITBUCKET
GITLAB
or equivalent:
TECHNICAL REPOSITORY LINK.
UNICEF states that:
๐จ A REPOSITORY IS MANDATORY
and applications without a valid, accessible repository:
WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Private repositories can be shared with UNICEF for evaluation according to the instructions in the application form.
๐ Initial Prototype Results
Applicants must explain:
THE CURRENT TECHNICAL STATUS
WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN TESTED
and:
QUANTITATIVE OR QUALITATIVE RESULTS
from the prototype.
๐ฅ Pitch Video Requirement
Applicants must submit:
๐ฌ A PITCH VIDEO OF UP TO 2 MINUTES.
The video must:
โ Show the actual team
โ Show the solution operating
and:
โ Use English or English subtitles.
The solution should be demonstrated through:
A LIVE DEMO
or:
SCREEN RECORDING.
UNICEF specifically states that:
โ AI AVATARS
โ SYNTHETIC VOICES
and:
โ AI-GENERATED PITCH FOOTAGE
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
will not be assessed.
AI tools may still be used for:
SUBTITLES
or:
BASIC EDITING.
๐ฌ๐ง Application Language
Applications must be submitted in:
ENGLISH.
๐ฉ Are Women-Led Startups Required?
โ NO.
The opportunity is not restricted exclusively to women-founded companies.
However:
๐ฉโ๐ผ WOMEN-LED AND WOMEN-FOUNDED STARTUPS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
๐ง Are Young Founders Eligible?
โ YES.
UNICEF specifically encourages:
YOUTH-LED STARTUPS
where founders or leaders are:
UNDER 35 YEARS OLD.
๐ Can African Startups Apply?
โ YES.
Many African countries are included in UNICEFโs programme-country framework.
In fact, UNICEF says more than half of submissions to its first Femtech Ventures global call came from:
๐ AFRICA.
Eligible African countries include countries such as:
South Africa
Nigeria
Kenya
Ghana
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Uganda
Tanzania
Botswana
Malawi
Mozambique
Ethiopia
and many others, subject to the current programme-country eligibility rules.
๐ฟ๐ผ Can Zimbabwean Startups Apply?
โ YES.
Zimbabwe appears on the UNICEF Venture Fundโs published list of:
UNICEF PROGRAMME COUNTRIES.
A Zimbabwean startup can therefore potentially apply if it is:
โ Registered as a private for-profit company
โ Developing an eligible femtech solution
โ Working with a functional prototype
โ Willing to meet the open-source requirements
and:
โ Able to satisfy the remaining Venture Fund criteria.
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
This makes the call particularly relevant to Zimbabwean startups developing technology in areas such as:
MATERNAL HEALTH
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
COMMUNITY HEALTH
DIGITAL MENTAL HEALTH
GBV PREVENTION
or:
WOMENโS HEALTH ACCESS.
๐ Safety-by-Design Requirement
UNICEF says:
SAFETY-BY-DESIGN
is a condition of its Femtech investment model.
Companies should therefore think carefully about:
DATA PRIVACY
USER CONSENT
HEALTH DATA
SAFEGUARDING
USER RISK
and:
RESPONSIBLE AI.
This is especially important for products dealing with:
SEXUAL HEALTH
GBV
MENTAL HEALTH
and:
CHILDREN OR ADOLESCENTS.
๐ Public Data Requirement
The Venture Fundโs general eligibility requirements include the ability to generate:
MEASURABLE REAL-TIME DATA
that can be publicly exposed for monitoring impact and progress.
If that system is not yet established, applicants should clearly describe:
HOW DATA WILL BE COLLECTED
HOW IT WILL BE ANALYSED
and:
HOW IT WILL BE SHARED
during implementation.
๐ Is the Funding for Early-Stage Startups Only?
The specific Femtech call states that it supports:
EARLY- AND GROWTH-STAGE COMPANIES
using frontier technology.
However, the Venture Fundโs standard open application framework distinguishes between its early-stage and later growth-stage funding processes. Growth-stage Venture Fund funding ordinarily involves existing portfolio companies.
Applicants should therefore follow the eligibility questions in the specific Femtech application form, which explicitly welcomes early-stage and ready-to-deploy for-profit technology startups.
๐ What Information Is Required in the Application?
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
The official application asks companies to provide information including:
๐ข Company registration
๐ฅ Core team members
๐ฉ Women founders or co-founders
๐ง Youth leadership
๐ Country of registration
๐ก Problem being addressed
๐ ๏ธ Proposed technology solution
๐ค Technology being used
๐งช Prototype status
๐ Prototype testing results
๐ป Repository
๐ฏ 12-month milestones
๐ค Partners and advisers
๐ฐ Funding amount requested
๐ต Previous-year company revenue
and:
๐ฅ Pitch video.
๐ฐ How Much Should a Startup Request?
Applicants are asked to specify:
HOW MUCH FUNDING THEY ARE SEEKING.
The maximum is:
๐ต US$100,000.
A strong request should be tied directly to:
DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES
PRODUCT TESTING
PILOTING
ENGINEERING
SAFETY & PRIVACY
OPEN-SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
and:
SCALE PREPARATION.
๐ How to Apply for UNICEF Femtech Ventures
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
2026
Step 1 โ Confirm Company Eligibility
Your company should be:
โ Private
โ For-profit
and:
โ Registered in a UNICEF programme country.
Step 2 โ Confirm You Have a Prototype
You should already have:
A FUNCTIONAL PRODUCT OR PROTOTYPE
that has undergone some initial testing.
Step 3 โ Select the Appropriate Funding Pillar
Choose the area your solution addresses:
๐ฅ Pillar 1 โ Healthcare Access for Women and Girls
โ๏ธ Pillar 2 โ Informed, Safe and Accessible Reproductive Health
or:
๐ง Pillar 3 โ Mental Wellbeing, Safety and Protection.
Step 4 โ Prepare Your Repository
Make sure your:
GITHUB
GITLAB
or:
BITBUCKET
repository can be accessed by UNICEF.
Step 5 โ Explain Your Technology Clearly
Describe whether you use:
AI / DATA SCIENCE
AI + BLOCKCHAIN
BLOCKCHAIN
or:
ANOTHER FRONTIER TECHNOLOGY.
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
Step 6 โ Document Prototype Results
Include evidence from:
PILOTS
USERS
TESTING
and:
PERFORMANCE DATA.
Step 7 โ Build a 12-Month Roadmap
Explain your planned:
TECHNICAL MILESTONES
DEPLOYMENT GOALS
VALIDATION
and:
SCALE OBJECTIVES.
Step 8 โ Record Your Pitch Video
Produce a video of no more than:
๐ฅ 2 MINUTES
showing:
THE REAL TEAM
and:
THE REAL WORKING SOLUTION.
Step 9 โ Complete the Application in English
All application materials must be submitted in:
๐ฌ๐ง ENGLISH.
Step 10 โ Submit Before the Deadline
Applications close on:
๐จ 4 NOVEMBER 2026 AT 11:59 PM CET.
๐ Application Checklist
Before submitting, confirm:
โ Private For-Profit Company
Mandatory.
โ Registered in UNICEF Programme Country
Mandatory.
โ Working Prototype
Mandatory.
โ Open Source / Willing to Open Source
Mandatory.
โ Frontier Technology
Required.
โ Womenโs / Girlsโ Health or Wellbeing Focus
Required.
โ Repository
Mandatory.
โ Prototype Results
Required.
โ 12-Month Milestones
Required.
โ Funding Request
Required.
โ English Application
Required.
โ Pitch Video
Required.
โ Maximum Pitch Length
2 Minutes.
โ Actual Team in Video
Required.
โ Working Solution Demonstration
Required.
โ Women-Led Startup
Encouraged, not mandatory.
โ Founder Under 35
Encouraged, not mandatory.
โ Deadline
November 4, 2026 at 11:59 PM CET.
๐ฏ How to Strengthen Your Application
๐งช Show Evidence That the Prototype Works
UNICEF is not looking only for ideas.
Provide measurable evidence such as:
USERS TESTED
CLINICAL OR FIELD PILOTS
ACCURACY RATES
ENGAGEMENT
TIME SAVED
COST SAVINGS
or:
IMPROVED ACCESS.
๐ Demonstrate Local Relevance
Explain the specific challenge in your:
COMMUNITY
COUNTRY
or:
HEALTH SYSTEM.
Femtech Ventures particularly values solutions built close to the problems they address.
๐ Show Potential to Scale
Explain how the solution could grow beyond one:
HOSPITAL
DISTRICT
or:
PILOT LOCATION.
๐ Take Privacy Seriously
If your product handles:
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH DATA
GBV REPORTS
MENTAL HEALTH DATA
or:
CHILD DATA,
explain:
CONSENT
SECURITY
PRIVACY
and:
SAFEGUARDING
clearly.
๐ Explain Your Open-Source Strategy
Do not simply tick:
โWilling to open source.โ
Explain:
WHAT COMPONENT WILL BE OPEN
WHEN IT WILL BE RELEASED
WHICH LICENCE YOU EXPECT TO USE
and:
HOW OTHERS CAN REUSE IT.
๐ฅ Make the Pitch Video Practical
Show:
THE ACTUAL FOUNDERS
THE ACTUAL PRODUCT
and:
THE PRODUCT WORKING.
Avoid an entirely animated marketing presentation because UNICEF explicitly wants to see the team and solution in action.
โ ๏ธ Common Application Mistakes
Avoid:
- Applying as an individual
- Applying as an NGO without an eligible company
- Applying without a working prototype
- Applying from a company not registered in an eligible programme country
- Refusing the open-source requirement
- Failing to provide a repository
- Submitting only a concept without testing evidence
- Failing to demonstrate benefits for women and girls
- Ignoring privacy or safeguarding
- Treating US$100,000 as guaranteed funding
- Uploading an AI-generated pitch video instead of showing the real team
- Submitting materials in a language other than English
- Missing the November 4 deadline
โ Frequently Asked Questions
What is UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026?
It is a UNICEF Venture Fund initiative investing in frontier technologies that improve the health, wellbeing and sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls in emerging markets.
How much funding is available?
๐ฐ UP TO US$100,000.
Is the funding equity-free?
โ YES.
UNICEF does not take financial equity in selected startups.
How long is the mentorship?
๐ง 12 MONTHS.
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
What technologies are eligible?
Examples include:
AI
MACHINE LEARNING
DATA SCIENCE
and:
BLOCKCHAIN.
Is a working prototype required?
โ YES.
Do applicants need to be open source?
The funded solution must already be open source or the startup must be willing to open-source it.
Can NGOs apply?
โ NOT DIRECTLY.
The applicant must be a private for-profit company.
Can individuals apply?
โ NO.
Is a university degree required?
โ NO.
The team is evaluated based on its ability to deliver the solution.
Are women founders required?
No, but women-led and women-founded companies are strongly encouraged.
Are young founders encouraged?
โ YES.
UNICEF specifically encourages founders and leaders under:
35 YEARS OLD.
Can African startups apply?
โ YES, provided the company is registered in an eligible UNICEF programme country.
Can Zimbabwean startups apply?
โ YES.
Zimbabwe is listed as a UNICEF programme country.
Is a pitch video required?
โ YES.
Maximum length:
2 MINUTES.
Can the pitch video use AI-generated avatars?
โ NO.
UNICEF says AI-generated avatars, synthetic voices or generated footage will not be assessed.
Is a code repository required?
โ YES.
The application says submissions without a valid accessible repository will not be considered.
What is the deadline?
๐จ 4 NOVEMBER 2026 AT 11:59 PM CET.
๐ Final Thoughts
The UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026 funding call offers technology startups in emerging markets an opportunity to secure:
๐ฐ UP TO US$100,000 IN EQUITY-FREE FUNDING
plus:
๐ง 12 MONTHS OF MENTORSHIP
and:
๐ ACCESS TO UNICEFโS GLOBAL NETWORK.
The programme is particularly suitable for startups building technology around:
๐ฅ WOMENโS HEALTHCARE ACCESS
๐คฐ MATERNAL HEALTH
โ๏ธ SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
๐ง MENTAL WELLBEING
๐ซ GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Up to US$100,000 for Womenโs Health Technology Startups ๐ก๐
and:
๐ฑ DIGITAL SAFETY.
Applicants must be registered private companies in eligible UNICEF programme countries, have a:
๐งช FUNCTIONAL PROTOTYPE
and commit to:
๐ OPEN-SOURCE PRINCIPLES.
Women-led companies and founders under 35 are especially encouraged to apply, although neither condition is mandatory.
For African entrepreneurs, including those in Zimbabwe, this is a particularly relevant opportunity: Zimbabwe is included on the Venture Fundโs programme-country list, and UNICEF has already seen strong participation from African femtech founders.
Applications close on:
๐จ 4 NOVEMBER 2026 AT 11:59 PM CET.
๐ฒ Join the Vacancy Bridge WhatsApp Channel
Get startup funding, UNICEF opportunities, grants, innovation calls, womenโs health funding, fellowships and global opportunities through Vacancy Bridge.
๐ Join here: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vakee9aHFxOyCIBPJA0o
APPLY NOW ON THIS OFFICIAL PAGE
๐ Key Details
Organisation: UNICEF
Programme: UNICEF Femtech Ventures
Funding Mechanism: UNICEF Venture Fund
Call: Second Annual Femtech Ventures Cohort
Funding: Up to US$100,000
Funding Type: Equity-Free
Mentorship: 12 Months
Eligible Entity: Private For-Profit Company
Geography: UNICEF Programme Countries
Prototype: Required
Open Source: Required or Commitment Required
Technologies: AI, Machine Learning, Data Science, Blockchain & Other Frontier Technologies
Pillar 1: Healthcare Access for Women and Girls
Pillar 2: Informed, Safe and Accessible Reproductive Health
Pillar 3: Mental Wellbeing, Safety and Protection
Women-Led Startups: Strongly Encouraged
Youth-Led Startups: Strongly Encouraged
Youth Definition: Under 35
Individuals: Not Eligible
NGOs / CSOs: Not Eligible as Primary Applicant
Degree: Not Required
Application Language: English
Repository: Mandatory
Pitch Video: Mandatory
Pitch Length: Up to 2 Minutes
Zimbabwe: Eligible Programme Country
Deadline: November 4, 2026 at 11:59 PM CET
Status: Applications Open
๐ SEO Keywords
UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026, UNICEF Femtech Funding 2026, UNICEF Venture Fund 2026, US$100000 Startup Funding, Women Health Technology Grants, Femtech Startup Funding 2026, UNICEF Startup Grants, Equity Free Funding Startups, Womenโs Health Startup Funding, Reproductive Health Technology Funding, Maternal Health Startup Grants, AI Healthcare Startup Funding, Blockchain Health Funding, Digital Health Grants 2026, Femtech Grants Africa, Femtech Funding for African Startups, UNICEF Funding for Zimbabwe Startups, Zimbabwe Startup Grants 2026, Women Led Startup Funding, Youth Startup Funding 2026, Open Source Startup Funding, Gender Based Violence Technology Funding, Mental Health Technology Grants, Reproductive Health Innovation Funding, Vacancy Bridge.