UNICEF Innovation Fund

The UNICEF Innovation Fund is a venture capital initiative of UNICEF that makes equity-free, early-stage (seed) investments in for-profit, open-source technology startups registered in UNICEF's programme countries. Launched in 2016, the fund focuses on frontier technologies like AI, machine learning, blockchain, drones, and extended reality that have the potential to positively impact children on a global scale. The fund's objective is to grow these solutions into 'Digital Public Goods' to ensure equitable access. It is the first financial vehicle of its kind within the United Nations and is managed by the UNICEF Office of Innovation. The fund provides both initial seed funding of up to $100,000 and growth funding of up to $400,000 for portfolio companies that show promise.