UNICEF has revealed that it aims to invest in Blockchain startups, helping children around the world.

In an announcement on 16th January, The United Nations Children\'s Fund stated they were offering investments of $50,000 – $90,000, equity-free, for startups advancing Blockchain developments in data analysis, smart contracts, tokens and mining. They also said they were appealing to businesses utilising ledger technology that would work globally.

Led by the UNICEF Innovation Fund, this latest initiative is another example of how UNICEF is supporting the use of Blockchain technology with humanitarian causes. The Innovation Fund is also offering technical support for projects from the Ventures team. With a specialist Blockchain team providing assistance, the startups will not only benefit from equity-free funding, but will also have access to a business mentor as well as UNICEF Ventures’ data sharing platforms.

This latest news comes after UNICEF invested in a Blockchain startup in November 2016. Leader of UNICEF’s Office of Innovation Ventures, Chris Fabian, said that this highlighted UNICEF’s aim to discover and fund new businesses. He added that in the future, UNICEF will most likely be utilising Blockchain technology in order to complete operational tasks.