About

UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, in collaboration with MIT Solve, IE University, and Women of Wearables, has announced the launch of The Equalizer Challenge: Scaling Women’s Health Innovations.

The innovation challenge, enabled by the generous support from the Governments of Germany and Luxembourg, will support women-led enterprises in moving their projects beyond the pilot stage and achieving meaningful, scalable impact on women’s health.

Objectives

• Through this challenge, UNFPA aims to:

  • Identify and support scalable innovations in women’s health.

  • Empower women-led enterprises addressing critical health conditions.

  • Strengthen the women’s health innovation ecosystem.

  • Provide equity-free funding, mentorship and capacity-building to women entrepreneurs to ensure positioning to scale up.

  • Advance gender equity in technology and innovation, increasing access to funding and networking opportunities.   

Focus Areas

• Their focus is on solutions that are ready to scale through further investments. Many initiatives in key areas – such as cervical cancer screening, menopause care, breast cancer detection and infertility treatment – are well positioned for this type of expansion.

Why is this challenge unique?

• Wide-ranging resources: UNFPA’s support extends beyond equity-free funding, providing innovators with the resources to enter new markets and refine their impact models.

• Inclusive of all models: Impactful health solutions take many forms; social enterprises, non-profits, hybrid models and for-profits featuring a sustainable business model are all welcome. 

• Full intellectual property ownership: Startups retain full rights to their innovations.

• Women’s health at the core: As the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA brings unparalleled expertise and global reach to support innovators in their journey.

• Beyond buzzwords: This challenge supports high-impact innovations that enhance the health of women and girls.

Funding Information

• Catalytic funding: Up to $20,000 per winner.

Evaluation Criteria

• Applications will be reviewed in two phases: initial screening by the UNFPA team, followed by interviews with an expert judging panel.

• The selection criteria include:

  • Alignment with the challenge focus: The innovation addresses health conditions uniquely affecting women and girls.

  • Innovative approach: A novel solution or novel application of an existing solution.

  • Potential for impact: Proven effectiveness in improving health outcomes.

  • Sustainable business model: A well-defined approach for cost recovery or revenue generation.

  • Feasibility and scalability: A clear, practical and sustainable growth plan.

  • Inclusive, women-centred design: Solutions designed by, for and with women, especially in underserved communities.

Eligibility

• Women-led social enterprises registered and operating in UNFPA programme countries with a scalable health innovation addressing women’s health needs.

• Organizations – startups, social enterprises, non-profits and hybrid models – committed to expanding access to critical women’s health solutions, with clear business models and pathways to scale through markets or the public sector.

• Applicants must provide:

  • A minimum viable product (MVP).

  • Proof of ownership of the MVP.

  • Application submission in English (with team members demonstrating working knowledge of English).

  • Commitment to virtual innovation cohort activities from May to December 2025, adhering to all programme requirements.

Post Date: April 18, 2025