African Drone Startups Can Now Apply For The UNICEF Innovation Fund

Are you are drone startup? If your answer is yes, you can now apply for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency (UNICEF) Fund for drone startups. The fund is expected to provide up to US$100,000 in equity-free investment for profit-making tech startups that have potential to benefit the world via the use of drones.

Who we’re looking for?

We are currently looking to invest in a group of companies developing drone solutions. Examples of these include, but are not limited to:

1) Software to collect, share and analyse data from UAVs (for low-connectivity areas)

Remote transfer or processing of visual data over low bandwidth networks
AI / Machine learning / Deep learning algorithms for feature detection and counting
Data management portal/stakeholder access protocol management

**Of particular interest software applications that work in low-connectivity areas

2) Software to manage flight and delivery operations

Manage supply chain payments and quality of assets for sensitive products
Load, delivery or flight navigation optimization
Digital management of delivery execution
Feature detection to land or drop deliveries autonomously on landing pads

3) Business models and sustainable drone services in emerging markets

Develop new services through the use of existing third-party drones for transport, image capturing and analysis (e.g. to support health care, crop disease detection, risk mapping, search and rescue, disaster preparedness, etc.)
Explore ways to combine existing services into multi-role service applications

4) Air Safety, risk management tools and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) Systems

Simulation or predictive tools for managing altitude, navigation deconfliction, schedules, routings, or fleet management
Use case specific risk assessment tools (integratable with ICAO, EASA, NASA or other internationally recognised frameworks in development)
APP for field operations and decision-making process management
Machine-to-machine / V2V anti-collision software, neural networks

Great piece from @UNICEFUSA and @MichelScheib on UNICEF + The Drone Age. If you're working on open-source drone prototypes or services — and you're looking for early stage finance — check out our Innovation Fund: https://t.co/zW434xKmZ8 https://t.co/gxg7syp0zc

— UNICEF Innovation (@UNICEFinnovate) June 13, 2018

Pushing technology forward

There are numerous possible drone solutions in development and this call is not necessarily limited to the above descriptions. We are interested in companies that are working with easily replicable business solutions that can take advantage of the platforms we have.

*While we left out hardware solutions in the above focus areas, if you are working on open source, modular hardware that has a clear path to profit, we encourage you to submit an application.

How to apply?

Check the general eligibility criteria:

You must be registered as a private company in a UNICEF programme country;
You are working on open source technology solutions or willing to be open-source under the following licenses or their equivalent: BSD (software), CERN (hardware), or CC-BY (content);
You have an existing prototype of the solution with promising results from initial pilots;
Your solution has the potential to positively impact the lives of children.

If your company and project meet the eligibility criteria and is aligned with the tech use cases we have outlined above, visit our site to read more about the application process and submit an application.

Go to www.unicefinnovationfund.org
Click on ‘Submit’ and then ‘Submissions by Start-ups’.

What happens after your submission?

The submissions deadline is on 11:59 PM EDT July 22, 2018. We encourage you to submit your application when ready as we will be reviewing on an ongoing basis. Only shortlisted companies will be contacted and then requested to submit a more in-depth proposal.

What does the UNICEF Innovation Fund provide?

	Seed funding. The Fund provides $50- $100,000 in equity-free seed funding. The money is intended for prototype testing and validation, and to get it to a stage where the company has proof that the solution works.
	Product and technology development. Selected startups will receive technical assistance from the UNICEF Ventures team to help validate and improve their solutions.
	Business Growth. The Fund taps into a network of mentors who help startup teams develop their business model and strategy to grow their company and ultimately profit.
	Networks and platforms. UNICEF Ventures has a Drones lead and data science team with access to corporate and academic partnerships and use cases that selected drones start-ups can benefit from.
	Maximize impact. As the world’s leading organisation for children, UNICEF has a network of experts and partners across its Country Offices who can provide geographically localized advice and partnerships needed to reach more users.
	Drone Corridor. Selected start-ups will have access to the UNICEF Drone corridor in Malawi providing the physical space for testing their solutions. Data from peer companies testing in the three drone corridors where UNICEF is present will be made available.