Assistive Technology (AT) Impact Fund
We are turning this market failure into the opportunity of a billion by supporting the most promising AT ventures in Africa through the combination of catalytic capital with expert-led venture-building.
To date, ATIF has successfully supported select innovators so that they have an increased likelihood to scale, addressing the highest need in African markets and demonstrating the need for continued investment in other low and middle income countries.
The Assistive Tech Impact Fund is a new mechanism to accelerate the AT market in Africa – where need for innovation and access is greatest. We aim to unlock new solutions for scale, building AT ecosystems and driving change.
What we do:
Grow AT companies
We de-risk AT and inclusive technology innovation that is on a path to sustainable scale in African economies, for follow-on investors and funders. Our team of venture builders assist with everything from business model development, to product design and distribution, to financing, marketing & more.
Provide catalytic funding
We invest venture building support and grant capital in AT and inclusive tech companies to test, validate and evidence their business model for scale. We have startup funding from UK Aid, through the AT2030 programme, and are fundraising to expand and extend our remit.
Facilitate the growth of the ecosystem
In order for AT companies to scale sustainably, we must contribute towards a thriving AT ecosystem. We’ll be investing not only in companies themselves but also in the development of the AT ecosystem by crowding in investors, developing partnerships, and sharing insights from our work.
Build and share evidence
Our team includes world-leading academics from UCL in the AT space. We will generate new insights and evidence on how to scale innovation that is designed to reach populations in Africa and will share our blueprint to help AT companies to thrive in emerging markets.
ATIF Portfolio
In 2021 we tested new financing, distribution and delivery models - focusing on innovative solutions to ongoing challenges:
MiracleFeet - bringing a low-cost, nonsurgical solutions for the treatment of impairment caused by clubfoot
hearX - increasing access to hearing aids by providing alternative distribution models and lay testing
Wazi - The first prescription eyewear brand designed and manufactured in Uganda
Koalaa - Affordable upper limb, soft prosthetic for the Sierra Leone market
OADCPH - facilitating access to quality AT to rehabilitation centres through technical support, innovative distribution and professional capacity development
Find out more about our investment portfolio.
Find out more
The portfolioSponsors and partners
Featured Story
Assistive Technology Impact Fund: £4m fund trialling impact investment
On the International Day of People with Disabilities, the new Assistive Tech Impact Fund has been launched out of the UK Aid-funded AT2030 programme.
Read moreLatest stories
How we do impactful research
Alongside investment and venture building, a core activity within our Fund is to conduct robust research, evidencing and insights creation.
Building the Assistive Technology ecosystem, one coffee at a time
We reflect on how we up skilled our internal team who were new to AT, and how we can apply the same approaches to building the ecosystem
Assistive Technology Impact Fund: £4m fund trialling impact investment
On the International Day of People with Disabilities, the new Assistive Tech Impact Fund has been launched out of the UK Aid-funded AT2030 programme.
UK Aid funding to support 10.5 million more people with access to life changing Assistive Technology through three innovative investments
In a year when COVID has hit disabled people the hardest, with even less support available, the need to trial bold approaches could not be greater.