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Nigerian startups can apply without giving up equity.
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Applicants need a working prototype and an open-source commitment.
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Selected companies receive 12 months of technical mentorship.
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Applications close at 11.59 pm Nigerian time on November 4, 2026.
October 9, (THEWILL) – Nigerian startups building technology for women’s health can apply for up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding through UNICEF’s Femtech Ventures programme, with applications open until November 4.
The opportunity targets companies developing tools for healthcare access, reproductive health, mental wellbeing and safety. Nigeria appears on the programme-country list linked from UNICEF’s call, making locally registered companies eligible to apply if they meet the remaining requirements.
Selected businesses will also receive 12 months of technical mentorship and access to UNICEF’s network. This is the programme’s second annual cohort, following an initial group of 11 companies across eight African and Asian countries.
A Working Product Comes Before Pitch
UNICEF is seeking practical applications of technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain and data science.
Its priorities include reproductive-health information in underserved languages, maternal care that works with limited internet connectivity, screening tools and systems that connect patients to referrals and follow-up care. Women-led businesses and founders younger than 35 are encouraged to apply, although the call does not restrict participation to those groups.
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Applicants must be private, for-profit companies with working prototypes. The form asks for testing results, technical readiness, revenue and proposed milestones for the next 12 months.
A valid, accessible code repository is mandatory. Companies with private repositories must grant UNICEF access before submitting. The application also requires a pitch video of up to two minutes showing the actual team and a demonstration of the product.
AI-generated avatars, synthetic voices and generated footage will not be assessed. UNICEF permits AI assistance for subtitles and basic editing.
No Equity Stake, But Open-Source Commitment
Founders can retain their ownership, but they must accept the programme’s open-source requirements. The application accommodates companies whose solutions are already open source and those willing to make that transition.
UNICEF’s general funding guidelines, linked from the current call, explain that code, content or hardware developed and tested with its support must be publicly available under appropriate open licences. Founders should therefore review how those conditions would apply to the proposed work and any third-party technology it uses.
Open-source technology does not mean exposing patients’ personal information. The current call makes safety a condition of investment and specifically addresses privacy, consent and risks to users.
Applications must be submitted in English through the official application form, linked from UNICEF’s funding page. The stated deadline is 11.59 pm CET on November 4, which is also 11.59 pm WAT. Applicants should have their repository access and demonstration video ready before submitting.
Joy Onuorah is a business journalist and brand communications specialist covering financial markets, artificial intelligence, digital economy, and the ideas reshaping business across Africa and the global market. Beyond her reporting for TheWill, Joy uses brand strategy, storytelling, copywriting, and high-value SEO to help brands build lasting market authority.
