UNICEF Innovation Fund Call for Blockchain Startups

The application for the UNICEF Innovation Fund Call for Blockchain Startups is now open. Application deadline is March 8th, 2022. The UNICEF Venture Fund, in collaboration with Giga, is looking to make up to $100K equity-free investments (in crypto currency) to provide early stage (seed) financing and mentoring to for-profit technology startups that have the potential to benefit humanity.

About UNICEF Innovation Fund Call for Blockchain Startups

Applicants will receive funding in crypto currency (bitcoin or ether) through the recently launched CryptoFund. Given the current global climate and a dramatic shift to a digital world as a result of COVID-19, open-source solutions that address critical needs for society are as important as ever.

Through this call for proposals, UNICEF Innovation Fund is seeking blockchain solutions that can address problems across a variety of portfolios including youth, climate change, learning and humanitarian portfolios. These portfolio areas are among others prioritize solutions that improve accountability on service delivery and policies; empower and actively engage young people; improve equity in access to connectivity and the digital world; and, grow and improve funding flows.

Application Requirements

To be eligible, companies need to meet the following mandatory requirements:

1. Registered as a private company
2. Registered in a UNICEF programme country (see list here)
3. Working on open source technology solutions (or willing to be open source) under the following licenses or their equivalent:
   1. for software, a BSD license,
   2. for hardware, a CERN license and
   3. a CC-BY license for design or content, a CC-BY license
4. An existing prototype of the open source solution with promising results from initial pilots
5. Solution has the potential to positively impact the lives of the most vulnerable children
6. Generating publicly exposed real-time data that is measurable

Eligible Projects

The projects below are eligible for funding:

1. developing new technology
2. expanding/improving existing technology/ platform (i.e. it will be in a place where the technology is being used but will involve new tech being built)
3. a new application/ piloting new use case for existing technology (i.e little or no new technology will be built and it will be used in the same place)

How To Apply For UNICEF Innovation Fund Call for Blockchain Startups

Step I: Check Eligibility

Interested companies are required to check the eligibility of the Innovation Fund.

Step II: Submit Application

Interested companies are required to submit an online application through the Fund website. You should provide the information and supporting documents indicated in the form.

Step III: Submit Request for Proposal

The Innovation Fund reviews all applications and notifies companies of the decision. These companies will then need to submit a full proposal. This is the Request for Proposal (RFP) step.

Step IV: Demo Interview

After a careful review, UNICEF will shortlist companies at the RFP step and invite them for an online demo interview. This is usually a 30 min interview the with Innovation Fund team and experts from our tech teams.

Step V: Final Result

Based on a complete assessment of the application, RFP and interview, the Innovation Fund makes the final investment decision and notifies all selected companies.

For more information on the UNICEF Innovation Fund Call for Blockchain Startups, visit the fund web page.

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