UNICEF Venture Fund Climate Ventures 2026: Equity-Free Funding for Climate and Health Technology Startups

The UNICEF Venture Fund has launched the Climate Ventures 2026 Call for Applications, inviting startups developing frontier technology solutions at the intersection of climate change and children’s health to apply for equity-free funding and support.

The initiative is part of UNICEF’s five-year Climate Ventures investment programme aimed at supporting scalable, open-source technologies that improve climate resilience, healthcare preparedness, environmental monitoring, and child wellbeing in emerging markets.

The programme seeks innovative startups leveraging frontier technologies such as:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Machine Learning
• Blockchain
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Predictive analytics
• Decentralised digital systems
• Data-driven climate technologies

UNICEF is particularly interested in solutions that can operate effectively in low-resource, climate-vulnerable, or emergency settings while delivering measurable impact for children and communities.

Women-led startups and young founders are strongly encouraged to apply.

Funding Support

Selected startups may receive:

• Up to USD 100,000 in equity-free funding
• Technical and innovation support
• Access to UNICEF’s global innovation ecosystem
• Visibility and partnership opportunities
• Support for scaling open-source solutions

Deadline

• Application deadline: 17 May 2026

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be registered in one of UNICEF’s programme countries, including but not limited to:

• South Africa
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• Ghana
• Rwanda
• Uganda
• Tanzania
• Ethiopia
• Zambia
• Malawi
• Mozambique
• Senegal
• India
• Bangladesh
• Nepal

Who Can Apply?

The opportunity is open to:

• Early-stage startups
• Growth-stage technology startups
• Climate technology innovators
• Health technology startups
• AI and data-focused companies
• Frontier technology ventures

Eligible applicants must:

• Have a working prototype or ready-to-deploy technology
• Be registered in a UNICEF programme country
• Demonstrate commitment to open-source licensing and practices
• Develop solutions with relevance to climate resilience and children’s wellbeing

Focus Areas

UNICEF is seeking innovative solutions across four key thematic areas:

1. Strategic Planning

Solutions that strengthen:

• Climate and environmental hazard mapping
• Community vulnerability assessments
• Pollution hotspot identification
• Climate-health data systems
• Carbon accounting and emissions monitoring

2. Early Warning and Early Action

Technologies focused on:

• Climate-sensitive disease alerts
• Flood and storm warning systems
• Heat and air quality monitoring
• Disaster response triggers
• Predictive analytics and anticipatory action systems

3. Healthcare Readiness

Solutions supporting:

• Climate-sensitive disease forecasting
• Air quality and pollution monitoring
• Predictive healthcare analytics
• Emergency health preparedness
• IoT-based monitoring systems for schools and healthcare facilities

4. Point-of-Care Support

Technologies enabling:

• Climate-health data access and sharing
• Multilingual AI health systems
• Digital identity and data coordination
• Community health worker support tools
• Localised large language model (LLM) solutions

What UNICEF Is Looking For

The programme prioritises startups developing:

• Open-source technologies
• Scalable climate-health innovations
• Child-centred solutions
• Data-driven systems
• Technologies adaptable to emerging markets
• Solutions deployable in low-bandwidth or emergency environments

Why This Opportunity Matters

Climate change is increasingly affecting children’s health, education, nutrition, and access to essential services worldwide.

The Climate Ventures programme aims to:

• Support locally relevant climate innovations
• Strengthen resilience in vulnerable communities
• Improve climate-health preparedness systems
• Advance equitable access to climate technologies
• Empower startups addressing child-specific climate risks

The programme also seeks to close the gap between emerging climate technologies and practical, scalable solutions for underserved communities.

Important Notes

• Funding is equity-free
• Open-source commitment is mandatory
• Startups must have functioning prototypes
• Solutions should demonstrate global relevance and scalability
• Preference is given to technologies deployable in low-resource settings
• Women-led startups and young founders are strongly encouraged to apply

Application Process

Applicants can submit proposals directly through the UNICEF Venture Fund application platform.

Additional application guidance, scoring criteria, and eligibility information are available through UNICEF’s Climate Ventures resources.

Click HERE to visit the official website