Finland and UNICEF Launch Global Investment Programme for Femtech Startups in Emerging Economies

The Embassy of Finland in New Delhi and UNICEF have launched a global call for applications from technology startups in low- and middle-income countries developing femtech solutions. This initiative seeks to identify and invest in innovative technologies that enhance the health, well-being, and socioeconomic participation of women and girls worldwide.

Through the UNICEF Venture Fund, selected startups will receive grant funding and one year of mentoring support. The call specifically targets early-stage technology startups working on open-source solutions using cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain. Interested companies can apply at unicef.link/FemTechCall before the 8 May 2025 deadline.

"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. UNICEF and Finland share a common goal to drive innovation in emerging economies such as India to accelerate progress and achieve global social impact," said Kimmo Lähdevirta, Ambassador of Finland to India.

Finland’s Role in Supporting Innovation

Finland is a founding partner of the UNICEF Venture Fund, demonstrating its commitment to supporting technological advancements that drive gender equality. The Embassy of Finland in New Delhi recently brought together representatives from public and private sectors to officially launch the first annual call for applications under this femtech initiative, which will run from 2025 to 2030.

The programme’s launch follows the release of concerning statistics that highlight the urgent need for innovative solutions in women’s health and economic participation:

• One in five young women worldwide were married before the age of 18 (as of 2023).

• In 31 countries, around one in three girls aged 15-19 have undergone genital mutilation.

• A woman dies from cervical cancer every two minutes, making it the fourth most common cancer in women, despite being highly preventable.

• 31% of women globally are not in education, training, or employment, with the largest gap in Central Asia and Southern Asia.

• 740 million women in developing economies remain unbanked, representing over 55% of the total unbanked adult population in these regions.

"Technology, particularly AI and blockchain, has the potential to drive large-scale social change and bridge the gap for girls and women who are too often excluded from innovation and research. This global call presents an investment opportunity for innovators harnessing breakthrough technology for social impact," said Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF Representative, India.

A Decade of Investing in Social Ventures

The UNICEF Venture Fund has been investing in breakthrough technologies for the past 10 years, focusing on developing economies. Now, it aims to double its impact by 2030, reaching more people across more countries in half the time.

This ambitious goal is backed by key partners, including the Ethereum Foundation, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and GSR Foundation.

"Investing in cutting-edge, localised solutions helps build networks of innovators and problem-solvers. Strategic investment from partners like the Government of Finland enables communities—especially the most vulnerable—to identify and drive the change they need," McCaffrey added.

Before launching this global investment call, the UNICEF Venture Fund conducted market research in 2024 to analyse femtech solutions and opportunities in emerging economies. It also focused on capacity-building and ecosystem development, including three regional challenges for femtech startups across Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, in collaboration with Gitex Global.

This initiative marks a significant step towards closing gender gaps in healthcare, financial inclusion, and economic participation—empowering women and girls worldwide through technological innovation.

To apply or learn more, visit unicef.link/FemTechCall.