Up to $100,000 equity-free for open-source frontier tech
An equity-free fund from the UNICEF Office of Innovation backing early-stage companies in programme countries that are building open-source frontier technology benefiting children.
Use when
You are a registered private company in a UNICEF programme country with a working prototype, open-source code and a clear benefit to children.
Skip when
You are unregistered, a non-profit, closed-source, or your work has no demonstrable child impact - this fund does not take NGOs.
Status (8 Sep 2026): the fund runs narrowly themed calls rather than a general window - recent rounds covered blockchain and climate/health, and closed in March and May 2026. No call in governance or general software is announced. Award: up to US$100,000 equity-free plus 12 to 18 months of mentorship; a recent round disbursed in cryptocurrency rather than fiat. Open-source licensing of everything funded is mandatory.
Alternatives
Equity-free acceleration plus up to $500,000 follow-on in Morocco
Kigali's venture studio and early-stage investor
Mini-MBA and seed prizes for Cameroonian women entrepreneurs
