Zero Project
Zero Project is a Vienna-based non-profit initiative of The Essl Foundation that finds, curates, and shares innovative solutions improving daily lives and legal rights of persons with disabilities through a global database, annual awards, conferences, and regional partnerships across 94+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersVienna, Austria
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Zero Project does
Zero Project is a non-profit initiative operated by The Essl Foundation MGE gemeinnützige Privatstiftung, headquartered in Vienna, Austria. Its stated mission is to find and share solutions that improve the daily lives and legal rights of persons with disabilities. The organization functions as a knowledge aggregation and dissemination platform, anchored by the Zero Project Database — a curated, searchable repository of 774+ disability inclusion solutions — and complemented by an annual awards program (#ZeroProject Awards), an annual international conference held at the United Nations Office at Vienna (#ZeroCon), and a podcast ("Pathways to Zero Barriers"). Thematic initiatives include the Technology Forum, Equitable AI Alliance, Scaling Solutions Programme, and Inclusive Arts.
Underlying technology is modest and primarily supports content distribution rather than novel R&D. Core platforms include the searchable database with advanced filtering (by disability type, geography, target group), an AI-focused knowledge hub cataloging 30+ AI solutions for accessibility, and conference accessibility tooling. The organization does not build proprietary AI models but curates and documents third-party AI applications (e.g., Seeing AI, NOOR AI, Signapse). A Web Accessibility Certificate Austria (WACA) Silver certification applies to the website.
The business model is non-commercial. Zero Project generates no product or service revenue; resources, database access, conferences, and publications are provided at no direct cost. Operations are funded through The Essl Foundation, supplemented by strategic partnerships (AT4D, Tech Mahindra Foundation, UnExcluded, SG Enable, AIM Global, ENAT) and grants. The organization maintains 22 employees and operates regional networks in Austria, Asia Pacific, Ibero-America, and India, with documented engagement spanning 94+ countries via its #ZeroCall27 nominations (615 submissions).
Zero Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zero Project
- Legal name
- The Essl Foundation MGE gemeinnützige Privatstiftung
- Website
- https://zeroproject.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Zero Project is a Vienna-based non-profit initiative of The Essl Foundation that finds, curates, and shares innovative solutions improving daily lives and legal rights of persons with disabilities through a global database, annual awards, conferences, and regional partnerships across 94+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zero Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Inclusion Research and Advocacy
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)
Keywords
Where Zero Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vienna
- HQ country
- Austria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Zero Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Non-profit Mission Activities: Zero Project is a non-profit initiative operated by the Essl Foundation. Revenue generation is not the primary focus; instead, the organization operates through foundation funding, partnerships, and grants to advance its mission of finding and sharing disability inclusion solutions worldwide.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Zero Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zero Project is a non-profit initiative of The Essl Foundation that finds, documents, and shares innovative solutions that improve the daily lives and legal rights of persons with disabilities worldwide. Its central offering is a searchable, curated database of 774+ vetted disability inclusion solutions, complemented by an annual awards program (Zero Project Awards), the ZeroCon annual international conference held at the UN Office at Vienna, regional Technology Forums, the Equitable AI Knowledge Hub, research publications, and the Pathways to Zero Barriers podcast.
Product overview
Zero Project is a global non-profit initiative operated by the Essl Foundation that operates as a platform-plus-programs organization. Its core offering is the Zero Project Database—a searchable repository of 774+ innovative solutions for disability inclusion. The organization complements this with annual programs including the Zero Project Awards (recognizing outstanding solutions), the Zero Project Conference (ZeroCon), and the annual Call for Nominations (#ZeroCall). Thematic initiatives include the Technology Forum, Equitable AI Alliance, Scaling Solutions Programme, and Inclusive Arts. The Equitable AI Knowledge Hub provides AI-focused resources. Content includes the Pathways to Zero Barriers podcast. The organization is structured around regional operations in Asia Pacific, Austria, Ibero-America, and India, with a mission to find and share solutions that improve daily lives and legal rights of persons with disabilities worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Zero Project Database A comprehensive searchable database containing 774+ solutions for disability inclusion, covering independent living, political participation, assistive technology, employment, inclusive education, and accessibility. Features advanced filtering by target group, disability type, age, and country/region. Used by policymakers, NGOs, technology companies, and researchers.
- Zero Project Awards Annual recognition program identifying and awarding innovative solutions and policies that improve the daily lives and legal rights of persons with disabilities worldwide. Awards are presented across annual themes such as Employment and ICT, Inclusive Education and ICT, Accessibility, and Independent Living and Political Participation.
- Zero Project Conference (ZeroCon) Annual international conference series bringing together innovators, experts, and disability advocates to share knowledge and solutions, featuring award ceremonies, expert presentations, and networking. Hosted at the United Nations Office at Vienna, with regional editions in India and Asia Pacific.
- Equitable AI Knowledge Hub A knowledge resource platform focused on artificial intelligence and its applications for disability inclusion, featuring 30+ documented AI solutions across computer vision, NLP, speech/audio, generative AI, and knowledge retrieval capabilities. Part of the Equitable AI Alliance initiative.
- Zero Project Technology Forum Initiative bringing together technology leaders, disability advocates, and innovators to develop and promote assistive technologies. Regional editions are hosted by partner organizations including AT4D in Nairobi, Tech Mahindra Foundation in Mumbai, and UnExcluded in Singapore.
- Scaling Solutions Programme Programme designed to help proven disability inclusion solutions scale and reach more beneficiaries globally, providing support to award winners and recognized solutions for broader deployment.
- Inclusive Arts Initiative Initiative promoting arts and cultural participation as a means of inclusion for persons with disabilities, supporting cultural accessibility and creative engagement programs.
- Equitable AI Alliance Initiative focused on ensuring artificial intelligence technologies are developed and deployed equitably for persons with disabilities, with Zero Project joining AIM Global in April 2024.
- Pathways to Zero Barriers Podcast Audio content series dedicated to Assistive Technology innovation, featuring interviews with innovators, experts, and members of the Zero Project Network, hosted by Tom Butcher.
- Conference Accessibility Tools Resources and tools to help make conferences and events accessible for persons with disabilities, complementing Zero Project's WACA Silver-level web accessibility certification.
Companies that use Zero Project
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Zero Project technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability10 records
Feature3 records
Zero Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered strategic partner, key regional partner, knowledge partner and parent organization.
- AIM Globalstrategic partnerZero Project joined AIM Global to shape the future of AI in industry. Collaboration focused on artificial intelligence applications for disability inclusion and accessibility.
- SG Enablekey regional partnerSigned MoU to advance disability inclusion and enable innovation in Singapore and beyond. Collaboration between Zero Project and SG Enable for regional disability inclusion initiatives.
- ENAT (European Network for Accessible Tourism)knowledge partnerCooperation to promote innovations in accessible tourism for all. Collaboration on promoting accessible tourism practices and solutions across Europe.
- Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust (AT4D)key regional partnerStrategic partner hosting regional editions of the Zero Project Technology Forum. AT4D is hosting the forum in Nairobi, expanding Zero Project's reach in East Africa for assistive technology innovation.
- Tech Mahindra Foundationkey regional partnerStrategic partner hosting regional editions of the Zero Project Technology Forum. Tech Mahindra Foundation is hosting the forum in Mumbai, expanding Zero Project's reach in South Asia.
- UnExcluded (Asia) Ltd.key regional partnerStrategic partner hosting regional editions of the Zero Project Technology Forum. UnExcluded is hosting the forum in Singapore, expanding Zero Project's reach in Asia Pacific.
- Youth4Jobskey regional partnerHosted #ZeroConIndia23 conference, a major disability inclusion event in India. Partnership for regional conference hosting and youth-focused disability inclusion programs.
- The Essl Foundationparent organizationZero Project is an initiative of the Essl Foundation. The foundation provides organizational support and funding for Zero Project's global activities, awards, and research programs.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Zero Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- G3ict (Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs): G3ict is a UN-affiliated advocacy initiative promoting digital accessibility and assistive technology for persons with disabilities. It is directly comparable to Zero Project in mission, scope, and policy advocacy focus.
- AbilityNet: UK-based charity providing advice, information, and training on disability and assistive technology. Comparable as a disability inclusion knowledge organization curating solutions and supporting practitioners.
- International Disability Alliance (IDA): Global alliance of disability advocacy organizations with UN consultative status. Highly comparable to Zero Project in advocacy and policy focus, with overlapping network of disability organizations.
- World Enabled: Global non-profit advancing inclusive urban development and disability rights, founded by Dr. Victor Pineda. Comparable in curating solutions and advocating for disability inclusion globally.
- Global Disability Innovation Hub: UK-based hub based at UCL that curates and accelerates disability and assistive technology innovation. Highly comparable to Zero Project's Technology Forum and database functions.
Broad incumbents
- Humanity & Inclusion (Handicap International): Major international NGO working on disability inclusion in low- and middle-income countries. Comparable in disability inclusion focus and global footprint, with substantially larger budget and program scale.
- Inclusion International: Global federation advocating for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities. Comparable in disability rights advocacy and global network building, with a more specific population focus.
- CBM Global Disability Inclusion: Large international disability-focused NGO implementing inclusion programs globally. Comparable as a peer in the disability inclusion space, though broader in scope (health, education, livelihoods) and considerably larger.
Emerging players
- Centre for Inclusive Design: Australia-based organization promoting inclusive design principles and accessibility. Comparable as a knowledge and curation organization in the disability/accessibility space.
Regional players
- European Disability Forum (EDF): European umbrella organization representing the interests of 100 million Europeans with disabilities. Comparable in advocacy, knowledge dissemination, and convening role, but regionally focused on Europe.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Zero Project social profiles
Digital presenceZero Project compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Zero Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zero Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Zero Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zero Project M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zero Project
What does Zero Project do?
Zero Project is a non-profit initiative of The Essl Foundation that finds, documents, and shares innovative solutions that improve the daily lives and legal rights of persons with disabilities worldwide. Its central offering is a searchable, curated database of 774+ vetted disability inclusion solutions, complemented by an annual awards program (Zero Project Awards), the ZeroCon annual international conference held at the UN Office at Vienna, regional Technology Forums, the Equitable AI Knowledge Hub, research publications, and the Pathways to Zero Barriers podcast.
Is Zero Project a public or private company?
Zero Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Zero Project founded?
Zero Project was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Zero Project based?
Zero Project is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, in the Europe region.
How does Zero Project make money?
One revenue line is on record: non-profit Mission Activities.
Who are Zero Project's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are G3ict (Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs), AbilityNet, International Disability Alliance (IDA), World Enabled and Global Disability Innovation Hub. Broad incumbents are Humanity & Inclusion (Handicap International), Inclusion International and CBM Global Disability Inclusion. Centre for Inclusive Design is listed as an emerging player. European Disability Forum (EDF) is listed as a regional player.
Does Zero Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zero Project.
What industry is Zero Project in?
Zero Project's product category is Disability Inclusion Research and Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech). Its NAICS code is 62412.