Matific Selected for UNICEF’s Blue Unicorn Portfolio: A New Chapter Begins
We are proud to announce that Matific has been selected for Phase 1 of UNICEF’s Blue Unicorn Portfolio Project, a global initiative designed to find and support the world’s most promising digital learning solutions for children in low- and middle-income countries.
The Blue Unicorn Portfolio, led by UNICEF’s Office of Innovation, is more than just a recognition — it’s a long-term opportunity to collaborate with governments and education partners to scale solutions that demonstrate real impact in learning outcomes.
What is the Blue Unicorn Portfolio?
UNICEF’s Blue Unicorn Portfolio is a groundbreaking initiative focused on solving one of the most pressing challenges in education: ensuring that all children, especially those in underserved areas, have access to effective digital learning tools.
UNICEF selected a small group of innovators whose EdTech solutions combine:
- Evidence of learning impact
- Affordability and accessibility
- Scalability in local education systems
- Alignment with national curriculum and policy goals
The selected solutions will work closely with UNICEF country offices, governments, and researchers to test, refine, and validate their models in real-world contexts.
Matific’s Selection: Egypt & Ghana
Matific was selected to implement projects in two countries: Egypt and Ghana — a testament to the adaptability and relevance of our platform across different education systems. We are proud to be among the few receiving this level of confidence and responsibility in Phase 1.
“Innovation in education is not measured by gadgets or platforms, but by the opportunities it creates for every child. With the Blue Unicorn Portfolio, which includes Matific from the first cohort, UNICEF is helping scale solutions like Matific in Ghana and Egypt, bringing together evidence, equity, and accessibility to make sure technology truly advances learning for those who need it most,” says Carlos Ferrari, Innovation Manager, UNICEF Global Learning Innovation Hub.
The Road Ahead: From Selection to Scale with UNICEF's Blue Unicorn
The Blue Unicorn Portfolio follows a strategic three-step approach to identify and scale EdTech solutions that make a real impact in education:
1. Screening
All solutions are first reviewed by UNICEF’s Learning Cabinet using the EdTech for Good Framework. This rigorous screening ensures that selected tools are safe, inclusive, and backed by evidence of positive impact.
2. Portfolio Selection & Matching
UNICEF, in collaboration with country governments, selects a cohort of solutions that directly address key educational challenges—such as foundational learning gaps, teacher shortages, and future-ready skills. These solutions are then matched to countries based on local needs and priorities.
3. Pathway to Scale
Once selected, solutions embark on a structured two-phase journey toward large-scale implementation:
- Model for Scale (3–6 months): Solutions are introduced in 1–2 new contexts to test feasibility and adaptability.
- Accelerate (8–10 months): Following successful pilots, solutions are implemented at larger scale in one or more countries.
Throughout this process, UNICEF supports the solutions with expert mentoring, business modeling, and robust evidence-generation to ensure long-term sustainability and systemic impact.
A Word from Our CEO
"This recognition is a powerful reflection of the incredible work our teams have done across product, pedagogy, partnerships, and technology. Being selected for UNICEF’s Blue Unicorn Portfolio gives us the chance to show how Matific can support foundational learning at scale — particularly in the places that need it most.”
— Craig Shotland, CEO of Matific
Looking Forward
This milestone aligns directly with our mission: to improve learning outcomes and make high-quality, joyful math education accessible to every child, everywhere.
As we move forward with UNICEF and our country partners, we’ll be sharing updates on our journey — and we look forward to what lies ahead.
Stay tuned. This is just the beginning.
Access the official UNICEF publication here.