ATF’s 3-Pronged Approach to Build the Ecosystem
01.
Incubate Early Stage IdeasTaking an idea or plan from initial or early stages in a structured manner, such that it is ready for execution via a well thought out strategy, is often key to its success. ATF sees its role as being this catalyst
02.
Nurture & Scale Existing Assistive Technology StartupsATA provides guidance that is required to go from an early stage to one that can be systematically scaled. Giving the start up the right feedback, access to our resource ecosystem and experienced and relevant mentoring is key to the process
03.
Solve Larger Disability Issues through collaborationCreating wide reaching social impact through collaborative methods, building an ecosystem that spans across multiple domains and capabilities are amongst ATF’s methods to help start ups achieve far reaching impact
Who are we?
ATF is an ecosystem enabler
We Accelerate Assistive Technology Start-ups and Innovators to Positively Impact Learning, Livelihood and Living of People with Disabilities.
Current Impact - 460,000 People with Disabilities
400+
Network of AT Start-ups42+
AT Start-ups in Acceleration Program Portfolio100+
Assistive Technology (AT) ProductsATF's Vision
World of joy by empowering people with disabilities.
ATF Core values
- Scale through Ecosystem
- Joy and Wonder
- Excellence
- Abiding Empathy
- Technology and Re-imagination
About ATF
AssisTech Foundation (ATF), is India’s first assistive technology focused ecosystem that supports and promotes innovative disability technology start-ups. Since its inception, ATF’s goal has been to create more awareness about the world of disability and bring about a positive impact through the start-ups we nurture.
In a span of 4 years, ATF has impacted the lives of 5.1 lakh people with disabilities through its programs and initiatives. In its Accelerator program, ATF has a portfolio of 42 start-ups, with 100+ assistive technology products and 43 patents.
Why ATF
Over a Billion people live with some form of disability, which needs to be addressed quickly
Will need at least one assistive product by 2030 and we are building the ecosystem that will meet these needs
Need one or more assistive products and we are helping these product companies find their users is a key goal of ATF
Is fragmented, with stakeholders working in Silos. ATF is putting together a world class ecosystem that will accelerate reach of Assistive technologies to intended users
* WHO Report (May’2018)
Our Partner Events
Charcha 2022
Our CEO & Co-Founder Prateek Madhav will be sharing his insights on Role of Assistive Technology in livelihoods for the people with disabilities at Charcha 2022 organised by Josh Talks in collaboration with The/Nudge Institute to evoke an imperative reflection on the need for inclusion of people with disabilities.
Microsoft is requesting for proposals : AI for Accessibility – Innovation in mental health
The Microsoft AI (Artificial Intelligence) for Accessibility program in partnership with AssisTech Foundation seeks proposals for technology-driven projects supporting the spectrum of mental health. This includes projects focused on mental health and emotional wellbeing, and supporting mental health conditions, while using AI to empower people living with disabilities. For more information about the program, visit https://lnkd.in/gFXT-5Qz
Empower 2022 – Call for Startups – Product Exhibition
IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP) and organisers of EMPOWER Assistive Technology Conference in partnership with AssisTech Foundation is hosting EMPOWER 2022 from 13th to 15th October 2022 at IITMRP (Chennai, India).
The conference will have paper presentations, workshops and product displays by startups and others. Exhibitors will also get a time slot for presentation of their products. (There will be no charge for the exhibition space).
Testimonials
Today, the number of products and solutions to help the disabled being developed in India is significantly low, and the few startups who are working in this space find it hard to scale. ATF aims to create an ecosystem that will bring together the entrepreneurs, NGOs, investors, researchers, corporates, consumers etc. This will help foster innovation and better living for the disabled
I see ATF as being the catalyst that will enable companies to exponentially increase the impact of their products and services to the disability sector and accelerate their success and look forward to personally participating in this exciting endeavor, having an enriching experience and thankful to be given the opportunity to participate and contribute
Technology gives a great opportunity to bring innovative yet basic value to the disabled. ATF will provide enormous leverage to startups in the disabled space by giving access to the disabled community and also enabling technology acceleration
ATF will provide a platform for Assistive Technology companies to take off. The accelerator will greatly benefit start-ups focussing on disability by bringing together NGOs, disability experts, Corporate CSR initiatives, Govt agencies and consumers with disability. It is a privilege to be part of ATF and contribute to the growth of these start-ups
ATF is a much needed support to promote innovation to make the world accessible and create level playing field in the lives of millions of people who face significant barriers at work and society today
The social mission within the ATF platform is inspiring. I am humbled and grateful to be a part of the platform, providing an opportunity to help accelerate assistive technologies that are creating an equal and inclusive environment for differently-abled
Having attended a few lean startup accelerators previously, ATF is the most direct and growth driven accelerator for an accessibility tech enterprise. Personal involvement of mentors continuously helped the team identify and refine core focus areas accelerating growth, resolving challenges
Innovision has been innovating in the assistive technology space to make solutions affordable for persons with disabilities. We are excited to be a part of the ATF program and contribute to building the assistive technology ecosystem in India. We hope that programs like ATF can help scale up the impact of solutions like BrailleMe tremendously
ATF can be for start-ups in assistive tech and disability space what Y Combinator was for companies like Airbnb and Dropbox while they were starting up. Startups require that much-needed partner hours and guidance from industry experts to scale and ATF is that successful first step in the space of disability