Applications are now open for $100,000 equity-free funding for blockchain solutions under the UNICEF Venture Fund’s Blockchain Ventures cohort. The Fund is inviting startups developing blockchain-based technologies for social good, particularly those focused on improving accountability and innovative financing systems that benefit children and their communities.
The UNICEF Venture Fund invests in open-source, frontier technology solutions from emerging markets. For this call, the focus is on ready-to-deploy blockchain solutions with clear potential to deliver measurable social impact. Startups must already have an existing, functional product with real-world use cases. Purely conceptual ideas or products still in early development will not be considered.
Eligible companies must be registered in one of UNICEF’s programme countries and demonstrate strong proof points, including user traction or tested pilots. A clear commitment to open-source licensing and open innovation practices is required. The Fund strongly encourages applications from women-led startups and young founders building impactful solutions in emerging economies.
Startups selected for the Blockchain Ventures cohort will receive up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding, disbursed in ETH, BTC, or USDC. In addition to financial support, selected teams will receive tailored technical mentorship throughout the 12 to 18-month investment period. This support will focus on piloting solutions, strengthening implementation, refining impact measurement frameworks, and preparing for scale.
With only five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Venture Fund is intensifying its investment in frontier technologies that can accelerate social progress. Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies are seen as critical tools for improving transparency, expanding financial inclusion, and strengthening governance systems globally.
The Fund is particularly interested in three key areas. The first is accountability and transparency. This includes solutions that improve how services and payments are tracked and managed, reduce operational costs, automate reporting, shorten transaction times, and prevent fund diversion. Relevant innovations may support secure digital aid delivery, verify measurable impact results, enable trusted digital payments, use real-time data such as climate or social indicators, and simplify due diligence processes like automated KYC.
The second focus area is new financing and governance models. The Fund seeks projects leveraging web3 tools such as staking, crowdfunding, and tokenization to finance social impact initiatives. Examples include impact marketplaces, crypto or stablecoin donation systems, community-driven funding structures, and platforms that validate and monetize verified real-world outcomes.
The third area is Digital Public Goods. This includes open-source and community-driven platforms that strengthen ecosystem collaboration. Solutions may involve decentralized contribution platforms, DAO-based governance systems, impact valuation tools, and sustainable fundraising infrastructure for digital public goods.
Applications must be submitted in English. Women-led and youth-led startups, particularly those led by individuals under 35 years old, are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is 10 March 2026. Interested applicants can submit their applications through the official online form provided by the Fund.
