The UNICEF Venture Fund has announced a call for applications from innovative startups developing open-source, cutting-edge technologies with the potential to transform the lives of children. With a focus on early-stage, for-profit companies, the Fund is offering up to $100,000 in equity-free funding to support solutions that leverage technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and blockchain. The goal is to foster digital tools that can improve child safety, trust, and access to information in an increasingly digital world.

The initiative specifically seeks companies that are registered in one of UNICEF’s program countries and have functional prototypes of their technologies. Startups that are focused on AI, blockchain, and other emerging technologies are encouraged to apply, especially those led by women or young founders. The Fund is particularly interested in startups that incorporate open-source licensing, ensuring that their work is accessible and can be freely used by others, thus maximizing the global impact of their solutions.

One key area of focus for the Fund is the challenge of misinformation and disinformation, which has become a growing concern, particularly for children who are increasingly exposed to digital media. UNICEF is looking for startups that are developing innovative tools and platforms to combat false or misleading information. These solutions might include game-based interventions that help children recognize misinformation, AI-powered systems to detect deepfakes, or blockchain-based technologies that can authenticate data sources. Another priority is creating systems that ensure digital content is trustworthy, such as tools that use AI to track the spread of false information and verify the legitimacy of content.

In addition to addressing misinformation, the UNICEF Venture Fund is also interested in solutions that can improve data collection, analysis, and transparency. For example, startups working on data systems that follow open standards while protecting privacy are encouraged to apply. The Fund is looking for tools that can gather insights from large amounts of data to inform decision-making processes, or systems that can generate data through crowdsourcing or social networks to help understand trends or analyze situations in real-time.

Digital trust is another critical area of focus for UNICEF, especially given the increasing risks children face online. The Fund is looking for startups that can develop decentralized protocols for content ownership and attribution using blockchain technology or AI tools to monitor potential risks in online environments. The goal is to create systems that ensure the online safety of children, prevent exploitation, and promote ethical practices in the digital space.

The broader objective of the UNICEF Venture Fund is to identify technologies that are scalable and can have a global impact, particularly in areas that directly affect children’s safety and well-being. The Fund’s investment strategy focuses on frontier technologies like AI, blockchain, virtual reality, and machine learning, which are expected to shape the future of various industries worth over $100 billion. By supporting these technologies, UNICEF aims to create lasting solutions that not only address immediate challenges but also build a safer and more equitable digital future for children worldwide.

Startups interested in applying for funding must complete an application form by December 23, 2024. This is a unique opportunity for companies developing transformative technologies to gain the support needed to scale their innovations and contribute to improving the lives of children globally.