The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations. It’s also an organization that’s often misunderstood.
I’d go on to say that the majority of people do not completely understand what the UN does. So when I tell you that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is looking to invest in early-stage blockchain startups, you may be even more confused. Have no fear, I’ll break this down for you.
To take this right from the source (aka the United Nations’ website):
“The United Nations came into being in 1945, following the devastation of the Second World War, with one central mission: the maintenance of international peace and security. The UN does this by working to prevent conflict; helping parties in conflict make peace; peacekeeping; and creating the conditions to allow peace to hold and flourish. These activities often overlap and should reinforce one another, to be effective. The UN Security Council has the primary responsibility for international peace and security. The General Assembly and the Secretary-General play major, important, and complementary roles, along with other UN offices and bodies.”
So in a nutshell, the UN functions as an intergovernmental organization that strives to maintain international peace and justice. So when UNICEF is in the process of creating a way to invest in blockchain startups, it’s fair to say that there could be a tie between blockchain and peacebuilding.
UNICEF just very recently announced its funding opportunity for blockchain startups. They look to offer equity-free investments of $50,000 to $90,000 (wow). But it’s not quite that easy, your startup needs to “have the potential to benefit humanity.” This initiative will be led by the UNICEF Innovation Fund which will also offer certain projects the opportunity to help improve startups’ data-sharing platforms and business model strategies.
This is an exciting time for startups beginning to launch blockchain initiatives. And an even more exciting time for onlookers, as we see major nonprofit organizations, like the United Nations, begin to get involved with blockchain.
Does your blockchain startup want to apply for UNICEF’s funding? Tweet @StarterNoise.
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Katherine is a newbie to Denver. She recently completed her Masters in Peace and Justice Studies at the University of San Diego. When she isn’t trying to save the world, Katherine is all about trying any and all delicious foods, hitting up the beach but not actually swimming (deathly afraid of sharks), and taking as many hikes as humanly possible.