Grace Ashiru
The UNICEF Venture Fund has opened applications for early-stage startups developing blockchain-based solutions, according to a call for applications announced by the fund. Applications are open until March 10, 2026, according to the announcement.
Selected startups will receive equity-free funding of up to $100,000 in ETH, BTC, or USDC, along with technical mentorship during a 12-18 month investment period, according to the call for applications.
Companies must be registered in one of UNICEF’s programme countries and have a functional product with real-world use cases, according to the fund documentation. Applicants must commit to open-source licensing and practices.
The fund seeks startups in emerging economies with deployment-ready blockchain solutions for social impact for children and communities.
Focus Areas
The call identifies three priority areas according to fund documentation:
Accountability and transparency: Solutions to increase efficiency by reducing operational costs through automation, disintermediation, and automated reconciliation; platforms providing verifiable proofs of impact; and platforms to expand inclusion for unbanked populations.
New financing and fundraising models: Web3 mechanisms including staking, crowdfunding, and tokenization to create self-sustaining local economies; systems connecting financiers to SDG impact; and community participation tools for data-driven decision-making and resource allocation.
Digital public goods: Open-source tools and platforms fostering community engagement; solutions implementing innovative governance models.
Background
The UNICEF Venture Fund invests in open-source frontier technology solutions from emerging markets, according to fund information. The fund has provided support to over 20 blockchain solutions as of 2026, according to UNICEF documentation.
The fund operates a CryptoFund that enables funding disbursement in digital assets, established in 2019 according to UNICEF records.
Woman-led startups and young founders are encouraged to apply, according to the call for applications.
Applications can be submitted through the UNICEF website. The submission deadline is March 10, 2026.
