UNICEF Venture Fund: Gender-Responsive Innovation Challenge
The UNICEF Venture Fund is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion through its early-stage investments in startups that leverage state-of-the-art technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), data science (DS), drones, blockchain, and extended reality (XR). The primary aim of these investments is to address the unmet needs of marginalized and underserved children and their families by fostering innovative solutions.
In partnership with GITEX Africa, the Venture Fund is excited to announce the launch of the Gender-Responsive Innovation Challenge (GRIC). This challenge seeks to tackle systemic and structural barriers within the technology sector that often result in a lack of diversity among solutions and founders. GRIC focuses on three critical areas:
- Investing in Diverse and Underrepresented Founders: Special emphasis is placed on supporting women founders and other underrepresented groups.
- Increasing Availability of Digital Solutions: The challenge aims to develop digital products and services addressing the specific needs of vulnerable and underrepresented populations, including children, women, people with disabilities, and refugees.
- Facilitating Inclusive User Design: Ensuring that the development of innovative solutions incorporates inclusive design principles.
The GRIC presents an excellent opportunity for companies that are leading the way in developing gender-responsive solutions and businesses in Africa. The primary goal is to identify, recognize, and invest in companies that are making strides in closing the gender gap.
Benefits of the Gender-Responsive Innovation Challenge:
Participating companies will receive mentorship and technical assistance from Venture Fund experts to bolster their investment readiness and enhance their potential for future funding. This includes:
- 10 hours of technical mentoring covering areas such as Open Source, business development, frontier technology, software development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Additional support to navigate the Venture Fund sourcing and selection process.
Eligibility Requirements:
To be considered for the UNICEF Gender-Responsive Innovation Challenge, entities must meet the following criteria:
- Be registered as a private company at the time of the Innovation Fund award (anticipated within three months of EOI submission).
- Be a private company registered in a UNICEF programme country.
- Work on open-source technology solutions (or be willing to adopt open-source licenses) under the specified licenses for software, hardware, and design/content.
- Have an existing prototype of the open-source solution with promising initial pilot results.
- Demonstrate the potential to positively impact the lives of the most vulnerable children.
- Generate publicly exposed real-time data that is measurable.
- Adhere to UNICEF’s Innovation Principles.
Application Deadline:
The deadline for applications is May 31, 2024.
How to Apply:
Interested and qualified applicants can apply by visiting the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) application portal at form.jotform.com.
This challenge is a significant step towards fostering inclusive innovation and addressing gender disparities in the technology sector. Don’t miss this chance to make a meaningful impact!
