UNICEF Femtech Fund offers $100K equity-free backing for startups improving women’s health
The UNICEF Venture Fund is offering $100,000 in equity-free funding to early-stage startups focusing on Femtech solutions to fast-track the socio-economic participation of women and girls in low—and middle-income countries.
UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund), in partnership with organisations such as the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the Ethereum Foundation and the Government of Finland, has launched a five-year initiative called the UNICEF Femtech Fund. This initiative will invest in exceptional tech solutions aimed at improving access to sexual and reproductive health services and products(SRHR) for girls and women in underserved countries.
The fund, launched in 2025, will run for five years. Its purpose aligns with UNICEF’s innovation ecosystem initiative, a collaborative network focused on addressing challenges faced by children worldwide by identifying, developing, and implementing innovative solutions.
The fund will draw on local expertise to develop tailored solutions that improve the health, well-being and socio-economic participation of women and girls through innovative femtech solutions.
Why Femtech?
Femtech refers to technology designed to address the health and wellness needs of women and girls, especially in underserved communities. This sector includes innovations in reproductive health, menstrual care, and maternity, amongst others. Women and girls make up half the world’s population. However, they face significant disparities in healthcare, finance, and economic opportunities.
Globally, women’s labour force participation rate is significantly lower than that of men, with a substantial gender gap in economic participation. In 2023, women’s participation stood at 48.7% compared to 73.0% for men.
UNICEM Femtech Fund offers specialised solutions addressing these inequities by focusing on specific health and wellness needs of women, ensuring their inclusion and empowering them to close gaps in healthcare and economic opportunities.
UNICEF wants to lessen the gap between those who benefit from the advancement of technology and those who do not. Thomas Davin, Global Director, UNICEF Office of Innovation, believes that “Investing in Femtech is essential to strengthening economies.”
Thomas also notes that, “This initiative by the UNICEF Venture Fund offers a fantastic opportunity to bridge the funding gap for game-changing tech solutions from developing countries, and we hope to energise and inspire investors to see the potential of Femtech in these markets. Our team is taking bold steps to catalyse a movement that could be a seismic shift across economies.”
Through the Femtech initiative, the Fund will identify and invest in solutions that are women and girl-centric, addressing disparities related to gender and the social determinants of health, well-being and financial inclusion.
The fund seeks to invest in early-stage startups and, through them, reach more people in more countries in half the time it would take the organisation alone.
Benefits
The UNICEF Venture Fund offers several benefits to help early-stage founders scale their solution-driven ideas. Some of the benefits of the programme include:
- Selected founders will receive $100,000 in equity-free funding to help scale their solutions without giving up ownership.
- Access to UNICEF’s global network, which consists of mentors, investors, and experts in technology and social impact.
- Selected founders will receive technical guidance and business development support to refine their innovations.
- Opportunities to pilot solutions in UNICEF programme countries, gaining real-world experience and validation.
Who can apply?
The UNICEF Femtech Fund is seeking early-stage for-profit startups that use frontier technologies in three key areas:
- Improving health outcomes for women and girls.
- Addressing unique challenges faced by women and girls.
- Empowering women and girls socially and economically.
Eligible Startups must also:
- Be registered in a UNICEF programme country.
- Have a working prototype of their technology-driven solution.
- Be committed to open-source principles, meaning their solution should contribute to a wider tech ecosystem for social good.
Preference will be given to women-led startups and young entrepreneurs (under 35 years old). To get more details on eligibility and application guidelines, visit the UNICEF Innovation website. Application closes for the UNICEF Femtech Fund on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
If your startup is developing innovative solutions for women and girls, don’t miss this opportunity to receive $100,000 in equity-free funding.
Apply now!
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