View all News

Assistive Technology Impact Fund: Join the launch of this Global Funding Call

Join us for the launch of the Assistive Technology Impact Fund Global Call (ATIF) and hear about the opportunity for assistive technology (AT) innovation in the African market on Wednesday 10th Feb 10-11.30 GMT.

Learn more about the ATIF, and find out how you can apply for up to £200k of funding. We'll be joined by world-leading AT experts:

  • Welcome from Cathy Holloway, Professor of Interaction Design & Innovation at UCL’s Interaction Centre and Academic Director of the Global Disability Innovation Hub
  • Special words from Chapal Khasnabis, World Health Organisation and Magdalena Banasiak, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
  • Introduction to the fund and how it works
  • Words from our launch grantees hearX and Wazi Vision

Wednesday 10th Feb 10-11.30 GMT

About Assistive Technology Impact Fund

1 billion people globally live with disability, but 90% of these people lack access to affordable assistive technology (AT) innovations which would drastically improve their quality of life.

This failure is not due to a lack of products, the AT sector is steeped in innovation and creativity, but those products are not getting to the people who need them. The Assistive Technology Impact Fund (ATIF) exists to change the prospects of the innovators in this space by supporting the growth of the sector in Africa.

ATIF has been launched out of the UK Aid-funded AT2030 programme, led by the Global Disability Innovation (GDI) Hub. It is a collaboration between GDI Hub, Brink, Tamara Giltsoff and Catalyst Fund. The partnership combines deep expertise in AT, innovation and venture building in Africa, respectively.

The ATIF supports AT innovators as well as those in other sectors, key to unlocking sustainable scale e.g. manufacturing, distribution, finance and more.

Successful applications will receive

  • Up to £200k of grant funding
  • Tailored Venture Building support and coaching from world-leading experts
  • Brokering and matchmaking to partners, investors and experts
  • Access to a growing global network of disability pioneers

Investment timeline:

  • 10th February - Launch event and call officially opens for applications
  • 11th February - 19th February - Support clinics to assist with proposals
  • 21st February - Call deadline
  • 1st March - Shortlisted applicants notified
  • 8th March - Prep calls for Pitch day
  • w/c 15th March - Pitch day
  • 29th March - Successful applicants notified