Africa’s first disabled-led assistive technology startup fund launched

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

A new partnership between the Judith Neilson Foundation and the Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust has launched the Momentous Fund Pilot, the first African and disabled-led early-stage initiative dedicated to supporting Assistive Technology startups on the continent. The agreement was signed during the Remarkable Summit in Sydney, with members of the Inclusive Innovation Network witnessing the milestone.

The initiative aims to strengthen Africa’s growing assistive technology landscape by providing catalytic investment to early-stage ventures developing innovative solutions for persons with disabilities. Bernard Chiira, a leading advocate for inclusive innovation and head of the Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust, described the partnership as a significant step toward advancing disability-led innovation across Africa.

Through the pilot, partners will build an evidence base for sustainable early-stage investing in assistive technologies, support promising startups and produce the Momentous Playbook to guide future investments. The project is also expected to lay the foundation for the establishment of Momentous Fund I.

Chiira expressed appreciation to the Judith Neilson Foundation for backing African innovation and emphasizing the importance of disability leadership in shaping the continent’s technology ecosystem.