Africa’s first Assistive Technology AcceleratorSupporting startups to scale. Providing expert lead learning, mentorship, live labs, ecosystem development and knowledge.
Innovate Assistive Technology Now.
Ready to Innovate Now? Applications for Cohort 11 are open.
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Africa’s first Assistive Technology Accelerator
Innovate Now has helped to launch 21 African assistive tech ventures over four acceleration cycles. African
Active learning
A programme of learning centred around user, market, product and business development
Mentorship
Hands on mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, product developers and disability experts
Live labs
Clinical partners to help you understand, validate and test AT products and services with disabled individuals
Events
Entrepreneur keynotes showcase the realities, success and challenges of venture building
Demo day
Pitch to a panel of judges, and an audience of investors, entrepreneurs and leaders in AT
A new wave of momentum in the African innovation space.
Innovate Now is Africa’s leading Assistive Technology (AT) Accelerator, established by the Global Disability Innovation Hub under the AT2030 Programme, implemented by Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa and Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust (AT4D), and funded by NORAD. The program equips AT startups with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to design, launch, and scale inclusive solutions that improve the lives of persons with disabilities. Since its inception in 2019, Innovate Now has delivered 10 successful cohorts, supporting over 90 ventures led by more than 100 entrepreneurs across the 11 countries in Africa, the UK, and the USA. The program continues to drive a new wave of inclusive innovation across Africa’s assistive technology landscape.
AT4D provides AT startup founders with a comprehensive support system, including entrepreneurship and innovation education, coaching, mentoring, and access to funding. Its mission is to create an ecosystem where assistive technology startups can thrive, scale, and transform the lives of persons with disabilities across Africa.
Information for founders
Hear from Ms. Bjørg Sandkjæ, Secretary of State for Norway
More on the accelerator
“Assistive Techonology is the gateway to bridging the digital divide for persons with disabilities today and into the future.”
Bernard Chiira, Director Innovate Now
Innovate Now was launched in 2019 as part of the £40 million, UK Aid funded, AT2030 program, led by Global Disability Innovation Hub. Implemented through a consortium of partners including Amref Health Africa (lead implementing partner 2019-2021) and Kilimanjaro Blind Trust (Live Labs implementing partner and new lead implementing partner). Todays Innovation Now is a partnership between Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub), ICT Norway and Norad, bringing a new wave of momentum in the African innovation space.