UNICEF Venture Fund
The UNICEF Venture Fund provides up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding to early-stage startups developing open-source frontier technologies that can improve the lives of children. Beyond funding, selected companies receive 12 months of mentorship from UNICEF specialists and access to a global innovation ecosystem. Unlike a traditional accelerator, the Venture Fund is mission-driven and supports technologies with measurable social impact. Eligible startups must be registered in a UNICEF Programme Country, have a working prototype, and be willing to open-source the funded solution.
Good fit: Startups building AI, blockchain, data or other frontier technologies with clear social impact.
77 Challenges
The 77 Challenge is a 12-week program by 77 Partners designed to help early-stage founders prepare and raise their early-stage funding round. The program provides fundraising strategy support, weekly 1:1 sessions with the 77 Partners team, investor introductions, workshops and access to experienced operators and investors. Ventures do not pay fees or give equity to participate, and at least one company from each cohort is offered an investment of at least A$100,000 from 77 Partners. The program is remote and focused on Australian frontier technology founders.
Good fit: Pre-seed founders preparing to raise capital and needing investor feedback.
Llama Beta Fellowship
The Beta Fellowship is an 8-week in-person fellowship from Beta Fund for founders building agent-native AI startups. The program supports founders who are often at the earliest stages—even before there is a company, revenue or finished idea. Fellows receive mentorship from founders, engineers and investors, work alongside a small cohort, and build within the Beta Fund ecosystem. The fellowship also serves as a pathway to Beta Fund investment, with the fund writing US$200K first checks and investing up to US$2M across pre-seed and seed stages
Good fit: Idea-stage founders exploring agent-native AI startup ideas.