Innovate Now accelerator kickstarts its fifth cohort of Assistive Technology innovators

The fifth batch of innovators, ventures delivering digital AT or using digital to expand access to AT products or services, has been unveiled by Innovate Now, Africa’s Assistive Technology (AT) Accelerator.

The digital AT and entrepreneurship initiative, led by Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub), is a collaboration between GDI Hub, ICT Norway, Norad, and Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa to encourage digital assistive technology (AT) companies in Africa. GDI Hub Accelerates, which brings together global stakeholders to accelerate disability innovation through cooperation and collaboration, includes Innovate Now.

Users with hearing and vision impairments, speech, and mobility challenges are addressed by the ideas in Innovate Now’s fifth Cohort, which span industries such as education, transportation, IT, tourism, health, and wellness. Learning Differently Limited, Accessible Travel Kenya, Uptyke Consulting Limited, EZSpeech, Disability innovations Suite Pepesi Wheelchair, Dasuns, Knock Knock, and Kenya Christian School of the Deaf APP sign to communicate are among the eight enterprises. To speed scalable assistive products to market, the firms will benefit from a 12-week immersive hands-on inclusive innovation curriculum, expert mentorship, user research through a Live Labs network, and investor linkages. The ventures will prepare a pitch for a demo day scheduled for August 1, 2022.

Ronald Kasule‘s Ugandan venture Dasuns is an example of innovation. DASUNs has created a web and app-based solution that uses assistive technology to enable digital access to professional assistive support services for people with disabilities and related professionals. Signing up, logging in, and requesting desired support services from available service providers within reach are all that is required of service customers. The system also provides background information about the two parties involved, such as brief biodata and addresses, to aid in the connection of the two parties. Professional support service providers are also trained by the firm.

Firouza Eshonova and Adelina Samuels launched the US-based startup EZSpeech with the goal of breaking into the African market, notably Kenya. EZSpeech has created an app that may be used as an in-house simulator in Speech Centers and Rehab Centers, as well as a tool to support patients who live far away. The App’s statistics and progress reports will assist SLPs in preparing their routine documentation describing their patients’ status and progress.

Disability Innovations Suite founders Dr. Mbugua wa Mungai and Kenneth Gichohi locally manufacture Pepesi wheelchairs that are portable and intended to work in various terrains. The company was inspired to create the Kochi system, a web-based platform that allows wheelchair users to digitally buy wheelchairs that fit.

Users enter their requirements, ensuring that modification and fabrication are done with the end-user in mind. On our Kochi platform, the company also shares product information and updates, as well as collects feedback and reviews from its customers.

Innovate Now was launched in 2019 as part of the £40 million AT2030 program, which is led by GDI Hub and funded by UK Aid. Amref Health Africa (lead implementing partner 2019-2021) and Kilimanjaro Blind Trust are among the partners involved in the project (Live Labs implementing partner and new lead implementing partner). Today’s Innovate Now is a collaboration between GDI Hub, ICT Norway, and Norad, ushering in a new era of African innovation.

“I am incredibly delighted to announce that we have selected Innovate Now’s largest cohort yet,” says Bernard Chiira, director of Innovate Now. 28 innovators from Kenya, Tanzania, the United States of America, and Uganda expressed interest. We chose eight businesses to represent the most innovative use of digital technologies to enhance access to assistive technology and other products and services for people with disabilities. These founders are tackling some of the most difficult issues, such as wheelchair accessibility and speech therapy. I’m thrilled that we’ll be partnering with these businesses to help them take use of the greatest digital transformation and business models, as well as our global knowledge and networks, to tear down obstacles to disability inclusion in Africa. We welcome partnerships to help grow the impact of digital assistive technology in Africa.

Cohort 5 began on May 16th, and is the first of three cohorts focusing on digital AT and entrepreneurship. Cohorts 6 and 7 applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. Women and those with disabilities are encouraged to apply.