Monday, August 10, 2020
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Web Desk

Pakistani startup selected for UNICEF Innovative Fund 2020

By
Web Desk
|
Wonder Tree is the only start-up to be selected for the UNICEF Innovative Fund 2020 from Pakistan, read the press release. Photo Courtesy: Wonder Tree

Pakistani Tech startup WonderTree has been selected for the UNICEF Innovative Fund 2020 along with 11 start-ups around the globe, according to a statement issued Monday.

Wonder Tree, based in Karachi, is the only start-up selected for the UNICEF Innovative Fund 2020 from Pakistan.

“The core motivation of the Innovation Fund is to identify 'clusters' or portfolios of initiatives around emerging technology — so that UNICEF can both share markets and learn about and guide these technologies to benefit children,” the statement added, highlighting that this year, over 350 submissions from more than 60 countries were received.

The tech-start-up, which uses Augmented Reality, machine learning and human pose estimation to make interactive and immersive games for children between the ages of 4-14 years with mild to moderate disabilities, has plans to enhance their technological infrastructure and scale their solution to populations with limited access to quality learning with UNICEF Innovative Funds.

The use of AR games can overcome the limitations of space and allow total body movement, keeping the child thoroughly engaged and motivated. Parents and teachers also have access to an online psychometric dashboard to track and measure the progress of the child.

"Our ultimate aim is to use this opportunity with UNICEF as a stepping stone to go global and impact millions of children worldwide," it said.

In April, WonderTree was also nominated by Google for its accelerator program on Sustainable Development Goals.

In 2016, the start-up also won third prize at the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) at Stanford for the quality and the potential of their gaming platform.