UNFPA launches the Equalizer Challenge to Scale 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.

The challenge provides catalytic funding alongside a six-month capacity development programme, featuring biweekly coaching, expert mentorship and direct connections to global health and investment networks. This ensures that selected innovators move beyond the pilot stage and achieve meaningful, scalable impact.

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.

Eligibility Criteria

• 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.

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.

For more information, visit UNFPA.