Applications open for the GSMA Innovation Fund for Assistive Tech

Do you have any innovative solution that addresses barriers to digital inclusion of people with disabilities?

Supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the GSMA is looking for start-ups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and social enterprises in Africa and Asia that are driving the digital inclusion of people with disabilities by addressing one or more of the following barriers: 

• Access; 
• Affordability; 
• Relevance;
• Knowledge and skills; and
• Safety and security. 

Successful projects will receive an equity-free grant of between £100,000 and £250,000 to scale their innovation over a 15- to 18-month period. 

With a particular interest in start-ups, SMEs and social enterprises that have entrepreneurs with disabilities, female founders, local entrepreneurs and those who can proactively demonstrate their solution reaches women, people with disabilities, through this fund, successful projects will receive an equity-free grant of between £100,000 and £250,000 to scale their innovation over a 15- to 18-month period. 

Today, over one billion people need at least one form of assistive technology (AT), but around 90 per cent do not have adequate access to the AT they require. Digital assistive technologies, particularly mobile-based ATs, have the potential to be a valuable and cost-effective tool for people with disabilities. This fund aims to support innovators of digital ATs and projects that advance the digital inclusion of people with disabilities and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

Funded projects will focus on reducing the gap in access and usage of mobile-enabled products or services, and will look to demonstrate commercially sustainable models that can be scaled and replicated in similar markets. 

Applications are open until 23:59 BST Friday, 16 October Find out more here