New Delhi, India – The Embassy of Finland in New Delhi, in collaboration with UNICEF, has announced a global call for applications from tech startups in low- and middle-income countries focused on developing innovative femtech solutions. This initiative aims to drive technological advancements that enhance the health, well-being, and socioeconomic participation of women and girls worldwide.
The initiative, powered by the UNICEF Venture Fund, will provide selected early-stage startups with grant funding and a year of comprehensive mentoring support. Startups utilizing open-source solutions and cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain are particularly encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is May 8, 2025, and interested companies can submit their proposals at unicef.link/FemTechCall.
“Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and half of its potential. Investing in femtech solutions is key to unlocking their socio-economic potential,” stated Kimmo Lähdevirta, Ambassador of Finland to India. “UNICEF and Finland share a common goal to catalyze innovation in emerging economies, such as India, to accelerate progress and achieve significant global social impact.”
Finland, a founding partner of the UNICEF Venture Fund, played a pivotal role in launching this inaugural annual call for applications, which will run from 2025 to 2030. The launch event in New Delhi brought together representatives from both the private and public sectors, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing critical women's issues.
The press release highlighted several alarming statistics, underscoring the urgent need for innovative solutions:
Child Marriage: As of 2023, one in five young women globally were married before the age of 18, limiting their educational and economic opportunities.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): In 31 countries, approximately one in three girls aged 15-19 have undergone FGM, a severe violation of human rights.
Cervical Cancer: Every two minutes, a woman dies from cervical cancer, despite it being one of the most preventable forms of cancer.
Economic Exclusion: Globally, 31 percent of women are not engaged in education, training, or employment, with the most significant gaps in Central and Southern Asia.
Financial Exclusion: Approximately 740 million women in developing economies remain unbanked, representing over 55 percent of the total unbanked adult population in these regions.
“The use of technology like AI and blockchain for social impact has the potential to transform lives on a large scale and bridge the gaps for girls and women who are often excluded from innovation and research,” said Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF Representative, India. “This global call opens doors for innovators to leverage breakthrough technologies for social impact.”
The UNICEF Venture Fund, with a decade of experience in fostering technological innovation in developing economies, aims to double its impact by 2030. This ambitious goal is supported by key partners like the Ethereum Foundation, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and the GSR Foundation.
“Investing in localized, cutting-edge solutions helps build networks of innovators and problem-solvers,” McCaffrey added. “Strategic investments from partners like the Government of Finland enable communities, especially the most vulnerable, to identify and catalyze the change they need.”
In 2024, the UNICEF Venture Fund conducted extensive market mapping to identify promising femtech solutions and markets in emerging economies. The Fund also focused on capacity and ecosystem building, collaborating with Gitex Global to host three regional challenges for femtech startups in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. These efforts have laid a strong foundation for this global call, ensuring that the most impactful and innovative solutions receive the necessary support to thrive.
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