About
The AT Impact Fund was established to better enable frontier technology solutions to reach people with disabilities in Africa, and to test business models that are most likely to succeed.
Globally, there are a lot of very strong, clinically validated AT solutions that have the potential to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. But they often lack a business and distribution model that could scale sustainably in African markets, leaving at least 135 million Africans without access to much-needed AT solutions.
Our team has paved the way for disability innovation globally, built business models for the distributed energy market, accelerated FinTech and EdTech startups across Africa, and now we’re applying all these learnings and expertise to the world of Assistive Tech.
Every company in our portfolio will be provided with:
Access to capital
Grant capital plus in-kind venture-building support to companies that are ready to test a business model for sustainable scale in Africa. We will also provide smaller grant ticket sizes plus venture-building support to early-stage companies.
Bespoke venture-building support
Venture-building support, tailored to meet the needs of each organisation. Our programme runs for 18 months, from September 2020. With each company having our support over a 6-12 month window within this period.
Our unique combination of technical assistance and capital investment looks to tackle value chain issues ranging from manufacturing, customisation, distribution and financing, to aftercare and repair.
While new technologies and materials have reduced the cost and complexity of assistive and inclusive technology, innovation and new business models provide an opportunity to reach populations previously excluded.
Hear more on the challenges, learnings & mechanisms used in the AT Impact Fund Playbook - a window in to the venture experiences and a unique view into the fund itself.
Inside the AT Impact Fund
the playbookFeatured Story
Assistive Tech Impact Playbook - a new window into the fund itself
Sharing the challenges, learnings & mechanism used to accelerate ventures entering & scaling in new markets across Africa.
Read moreAT Impact Fund is addressing
Access to AT
Solutions targeted at LMICs, particularly rural and low income users, who have a high unmet need.
Sustainable local ecosystems
Local manufacturing and infrastructure provision to support startups to scale.
Appropriate and affordable AT
Support high quality, low-cost innovations, while encouraging commercial AT providers to offer more affordable options.
1 in 7 need AT
Of the 1 billion people who require the use of an assistive technology, only 5-15% of the population have access.
80% live in emerging markets
find out moreWebinar: Investment
Explore the foundations of ATIF's ground-breaking approach, key learnings from each venture, the market opportunity and the future scope of AT in the impact investing landscape.
Watch the recording
Catch-upFeatured Story
The story so far: Assistive Tech Impact Fund
Presenting key insights from the first cohort of AT ventures who are disrupting the archaic models of AT production and supply in the African market.
Read moreWebinar: Mapping
The potential for disability innovation as an investment opportunity, and disability inclusion as a lens on investment at large is vast, and yet globally it remains a significantly under-filled gap. Explore the evidence behind this emerging sector - identifying opportunities for growth in disability inclusion innovation.
Watch the recording
Catch-upAT Impact Fund has been launched out of the UK aid funded AT2030 programme, led by the Global Disability Innovation (GDI) Hub. It is operationalised as a collaboration between GDI Hub, Brink, and Catalyst Fund as venture partner, providing deep expertise in AT, innovation and venture-building in Africa respectively.