The UNICEF Venture Fund is on the hunt for ground-breaking Open Source technology solutions that can drive transformative change for children worldwide. Offering up to $100K in equity-free funding, this initiative is targeting early-stage, for-profit startups leveraging cutting-edge technologies like:
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Machine learning (ML), and
- Blockchain
to make a significant social impact.
Why Apply?
The Fund is particularly interested in startups registered in one of UNICEF’s programme countries that have developed impressive working prototypes and are committed to Open Source licensing and practices.
Women-led/founded startups and young founders are strongly encouraged to apply!
What We’re Looking For
UNICEF’s Venture Fund is keeping a close eye on digital trends, especially in areas like connectivity, data integrity, and combating misinformation. The Fund is keen on investing in tools, platforms, and games that enhance media literacy and help youth identify and tackle misinformation.
Key Focus Areas
1.) Misinformation and Disinformation
Are you developing tools or platforms that leverage AI or blockchain to verify information and combat misinformation? UNICEF is looking for solutions that:
- Utilize game-based social and behavioral change interventions to identify misinformation.
- Implement mechanisms to review and verify the authenticity of information, including detecting deepfakes.
- Employ platform-agnostic tools to analyze and track false content.
- Develop interactive tools or games for fact-checking education.
- Use blockchain to tag and watermark content, increasing trust.
- Crowdsource data verification to build trust via social networks.
- Innovatively use blockchain to eliminate third-party auditing.
- Audit non-transparent social media platforms for misinformation management.
- Manage misinformation during crises with AI-enabled systems.
2.) Data Generation, Collection, and Analysis
Are you using innovative methods to compile and validate large datasets? UNICEF is interested in:
- Developing secure, transparent data collection and management systems.
- Building models to analyze large datasets for decision-making.
- Managing cognitive biases in data collection.
- Generating new data through field collection and crowdsourcing.
- Ensuring transparency and accountability in data handling.
3.) Digital Trust
Are you creating tools that foster digital trust? UNICEF is seeking:
- Decentralized protocols for content ownership and licensing using blockchain.
- AI/ML applications to monitor and mitigate online risks for children.
- Blockchain tools for secure KYC processes and proof of humanity.
- Tools leveraging digital footprints for risk analysis and crisis intervention.
- Blockchain-based verification systems for online content.
- Systems enhancing data provenance and auditability.
- Educational tools for children on privacy and online content sharing.
Beyond the Listed Areas
The Fund is open to startups that push the boundaries of frontier technologies in innovative, scalable ways with global relevance.
Ready to make a difference? Apply now and join the mission to create a better digital future for children!
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