Powering AT solutions - Attvaran India accelerator is launched

Harrison Kamau, Louise Gebbett, Tigmanshu Bhatnagar
July 18, 2024
India

Accelerating startup growth for early-stage inclusive, disability and technology innovations to power market fit solutions

A collaboration of University College London (UCL), Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDIHub), the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, and IIT Madras, the recently launched AT2030 Attvaran accelerator aims to power early-stage innovators and entrepreneurs developing affordable assistive technologies for people with disabilities and older people in India and across the region. 

Through intense mentorship, ecosystem access, education and networking, this Delhi based accelerator will provide a pipeline for emerging regional technologies. Bringing together key players in the assistive technology ecosystem, Attvaran provides a critical foundation to power new solutions - as customers, lived experienced experts, business mentors, advisors, technical experts, and investors come together to support pioneering ventures to refine technical, social, market, and business challenges.

With more then 75 applications across three innovation pathways - Spark (early-stage), Start (seed stage), and Scale - Attvaran is already profiling the emerging potential and dynamic ecosystem across the region. Through knowledge, expertise and technology exchange, the accelerator and partnerships between founding organisations will provide an opportunity to explore regional amplification - with the ability for learnings to support pipelines across Asia, and relfections to align with AT2030 African based accelerators to build new foundations around 'what works' for taking start-up innovation to scale.

The Attvaran launch event featured keynote lectures promoting the mainstreaming of assistive technologies with panel discussions sharing insights on startup journeys, the role of NGOs in scaling innovations, and investment opportunities within this crucial sector. With learning and networking opportunities - Attvaran is working across the ecosystem and global partners to explore the complex and challenging journey of innovation, and facilitate pioneering ventures into growth and scale.

"We are excited to partner with leading Indian research institutes to launch AT2030's Attvaran Accelerator to power growth in assistive technologies, disability, and geriatric tech by bridging the gaps in investment readiness and product-market fit. Over the next six months, we will unite researchers, NGOs, business mentors, investors, and ecosystem partners by providing world-leading expertise to support 20 start-ups assistive solutions in their market. We look forward to welcoming the first cohort, and working collaboratively to build better solutions that drive a greater demand for, driving impactful change for the region."

Tigmanshu Bhatnagar, Attvaran Accelerator lead

Tigi speaking during the launch

Tigmanshu Bhatnagar addressing the accelerator launch.

 

The start-up's

  • Euphelity Private Limited: creating educational solutions for students with Cerebral Palsy, Dyslexia, blindness, deafness, voicelessness
  • Exobot Dynamics: the "Exobot Hand," an advanced bionic prosthetic for upper limb amputees. This lightweight and durable bionic hand mimics natural hand movements using myoelectric sensors, providing intuitive and precise control. It features an adaptive grip, high load capacity, and long-lasting battery life, making it a practical and empowering solution for users.
  • Panoculon Labs: AI-powered smart glasses and navigation for better environmental perception without GPS.
  • Wheel Ease Solutions: "Clip Ease," an innovative electric clip-on kit that transforms manual wheelchairs into electric-powered ones. This solution aims to enhance mobility and independence for wheelchair users by offering features such as a lightweight construction, 25 km range per charge, quick charging capability, and a 25 km/h top speed.
  • uDot Braille Tech Pvt Ltd: making education equitable for the visually impaired by developing a dynamic tactile interface.
  • Nirvesh Enterprises Private Limited - Enhancing stroke survivor care with Synapsil, a multimodal wearable system for comprehensive physiological assessments.
  • Sahayatha HealthCare: innovating wheelchairs with integrated cleansing systems and recline capabilities for enhanced hygiene and comfort.
  • Next Skills 360: bridging educational gaps by teaching tech skills to underserved students, including accessible coding tools for the visually impaired.
  • PhonoLogix: addressing communication disorders with the Speech Ally app and platform, offering early intervention through gamified activities and teletherapy.
  • Grailmaker Innovations: helping the visually impaired navigate spaces with the Spacefelt app, offering personalized navigation through QR labels.
  • IWAYPLUS: providing geocoded indoor maps and positioning solutions for seamless navigation in large indoor spaces like hospitals and airports.
  • Thryv Mobility: accessible and sustainable transportation solutions for people with disabilities.
  • Insighte: offering personalized therapy for children with autism and ADHD through a platform that supports home, school, and online services.
  • Enable Me Access Association: advocating for accessibility and inclusion by providing training, assessments, and solutions for various needs. 
  • Beable Health: BeAble Health creates ArmAble and similar devices for neuro-rehabilitation in stroke and cerebral palsy patients.
  • TrueAssist Technologies: True Assistive Technology makes products like TrueLift and portable ramps to promote mobility inclusion for people with disabilities.
  • Sunbot Innovations: Sunbots Innovations LLP. develops AI-enabled assistive technology for people with visual impairments.
  • SignAble: SignAble is an on-demand interpretation service that helps the deaf communicate personally and professionally.
  • SaralX: SaralX helps organizations make websites, mobile apps, PDFs, images, etc. accessible and usable for everyone.
  • LifeandLimb: Lifeandlimb.ai creates advanced, affordable prosthetics using 3D printing and EMS sensors to empower individuals with limb loss.

 

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The mentors

The image displays eight startup mentors with their names, titles, and photos. The top part of the image is titled "Startup Mentors." Below are the mentors listed with their details:  Vishal Thakur  Title: Chief Technology Officer Organization: nasscom Foundation Photo: Smiling man in a light blue shirt and gray blazer. Varsha Agarwal  Title: Director, IT & India DEI Leader Photo: Woman holding a microphone, wearing glasses and a striped blazer. Uday Prabhu  Title: Chief Innovation Officer Organization: Bosch Global Software Technologies Photo: Man wearing glasses, a blue shirt, and a dark blazer. Sandhya Vasudevan  Title: Ex MD Organizations: Deutsche Bank and Thomson Reuters Photo: Smiling woman with short hair, wearing glasses and a black top. Ramesh Mangaleswaran  Title: Senior Partner Emeritus Organization: McKinsey & Co Photo: Man in a light blue shirt and tie, wearing glasses. Ram Gopal  Title: Ex CEO Organization: Barclays India Photo: Man in a dark suit and tie. Ajay Vij  Title: Country Managing Director Organization: Accenture in India Photo: Man with crossed arms, wearing a dark blazer and shirt. Anand Ramamoorthy  Title: Managing Director Organization: Micron India Photo: Man wearing glasses, a dark suit, and a patterned tie.

The image displays eight startup mentors with their names, titles, and photos. The top part of the image is titled "Startup Mentors." Below are the mentors listed with their details:  Rachana Iyer  Title: Head, CSR Organization: IDFC Bank Photo: Smiling woman with curly hair, wearing a light blue blazer and patterned top. Premil Dennison  Title: Ex MD & Country Head Organization: Silicon Valley Bank, India Photo: Smiling man in a black suit with crossed arms. Prateek Dubey  Title: COO, AMI (under secondment) Organization: Google Photo: Smiling man in a blue shirt. Nafeesa Begum  Title: Chief Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Officer Organization: First American (India) Photo: Smiling woman with straight hair, wearing glasses and a beige top. Madan R Krishnan  Title: Vice President & Managing Director Indian Subcontinent Organization: Boston Scientific Photo: Smiling man in a light gray blazer and white shirt. Devesh Verma  Title: CEO Organization: Ola Foundation Photo: Smiling man wearing glasses, a white shirt, and a blue vest