Senses Hub

What Senses Hub does

Senses Hub is a Nairobi-based, for-profit assistive technology company founded in 2023 by Hope Tech Plus (UK). It operates a full-cycle AT ecosystem spanning research, co-design and testing, distribution, training, and policy engagement, with the explicit positioning that persons with disabilities act as researchers, innovators, and paid contributors rather than solely as beneficiaries. Its core commercial surface is a WooCommerce-powered e-commerce shop selling three product categories — accessible play and games (e.g., tactile chess and checkers, Braille snakes and ladders, Braille dice), Braille and inclusive education tools (Braille slates and styluses, tactile geometry sets, the BlindShell Classic 2 accessible smartphone at Ksh 85,000), and white canes and rolling tips — distributed across Kenya via WhatsApp ordering, M-Pesa and card payments, and tiered courier delivery, with international delivery available on quote. Pricing ranges from Ksh 100 (~$0.77) entry-level items up to Ksh 85,000 (~$660) for premium assistive devices, on a pay-as-you-go unit-pricing model.

Beyond retail, Senses Hub runs service and grant-funded lines including the CDLI Inclusive Speech Technology project (open-source ASR for non-standard speech across six African languages, funded by UK International Development and Google.org with partners GDI Hub/UCL, Strathmore University, and iLabAfrica), an ElevenLabs-partnered voice cloning programme for AAC users reporting a 95% personalized-voice success rate, an independent clinical evaluation of DOT Glasses with GDI Hub and UCL, and the cohort-based Innovate Now AT incubation programme (Cohort 6 opens April 1, 2026; Cohort 7 opens August 1, 2026; 20+ ventures supported to date). The company also operates an accessible makerspace and training programmes for clinicians, students, and engineers, and engages in AT policy work with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and Kenya's Ministries of Education and Labour. Revenue mixes hardware sales, professional services (research, evaluation, training), and grants/development funding, with no disclosed top-line revenue.

Name

Senses Hub

Legal name

Senses Hub

Website

https://senseshub.vision

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Senses Hub is a Nairobi-based assistive technology company founded in 2023 that co-designs, distributes, and researches AT products across East Africa, serving persons with disabilities through an e-commerce shop, maker training programmes, inclusive ASR research, and policy engagement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Assistive Technology Distribution & Research

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training (EDAKAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC), Computer Access & Alternative Input (Switch, Eye Gaze, Head/Mouse, Keyboards) (EDAKAIAD), Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB), Accessibility & Special Needs Equipment (Assistive Devices, Adaptive Furniture, Sensory Rooms) (EDAEAIAM)

Keywords

• Assistive technology distribution
• Disability inclusion services
• Inclusive speech recognition
• Assistive product retail
• Inclusive innovation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Assistive Technology Product Sales: E-commerce sales of assistive technology products including white canes, braille tools, accessible phones, and mobility aids through the WooCommerce storefront. Products range from Ksh 100 to Ksh 85,000.
2. Research and Evaluation Services: Independent clinical evaluations of assistive technology products (e.g., DOT Glasses evaluation in partnership with GDI Hub and UCL). Rigorous evidence-based protocols with ethics approval.
3. Training and Capacity Building: Inclusive design bootcamps and training programs for clinicians, students, and engineers. All training materials accessible with captioned videos and downloadable guides.
4. Grants and Development Funding: Funding from international development organizations including UK International Development and Google.org for inclusive speech technology projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Senses Hub distributes assistive technology products via an online shop (white canes, Braille tools, accessible smartphones, tactile games) and provides research, evaluation, and innovation services. Its service portfolio includes inclusive Automatic Speech Recognition development for African languages, personalised voice cloning for AAC users, independent AT clinical evaluations (e.g., DOT Glasses), an AT innovator incubation programme (Innovate Now), and an accessible Makerspace for co-designing and prototyping AT solutions.

Product overview

Senses Hub operates as a comprehensive assistive technology ecosystem combining an e-commerce shop (WooCommerce-based) with physical maker facilities and innovation acceleration programmes. The product portfolio centres on three shop categories: Accessible Play and Games (tactile games, Braille dice, puzzles), Braille and Inclusive Education (Braille tools, BlindShell Classic 2 smartphone, tactile math tools), and White Canes and Rolling Tips (mobility canes). Core services include the Inclusive Speech Technology CDLI project (inclusive ASR for African languages), Restoring Identity Through Voice (ElevenLabs voice cloning for AAC users), DOT Glasses independent evaluation, the Innovate Now Programme (AT innovator incubation), and the Makerspace (accessible fabrication facility). The company positions itself as Africa's home of assistive technology innovation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000+ people reached
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• CDLI (Consortium for Dialogue on Language and Interaction)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership to build inclusive ASR for non-standard speech across African languages. Collecting 50hrs/language of dysarthria, stuttering, and cleft palate speech data. Part of CDLI Inclusion Project with Innovation Sprint hackathon.
• GDI Hub (UCL) - Global Disability Innovation HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on inclusive speech technology and DOT Glasses independent evaluation. GDI Hub is a research and innovation hub focused on disability and assistive technology.
• Strathmore UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for inclusive speech technology research. Demo Day hosted at Strathmore University for CDLI Innovation Sprint 2025.
• iLabAfricacoreTechnology or IntegrationResearch partner for technology development and validation in the inclusive speech technology project.
• ElevenLabscoreTechnology or IntegrationVoice cloning technology partner for personalized synthetic voices for AAC users. Ethical cloning with consent framework for persons with speech impairment in East Africa.
• National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenya government partner for policy engagement, AT policy work, and advocacy with government ministries including Education and Labour.
• Hope Tech Plus (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization founded in UK. Senses Hub was founded in 2023 by Hope Tech Plus, born from real fieldwork challenges in AT co-design, testing, and distribution.
• University of Applied Sciences Technikum WiensecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing research support and expertise for assistive technology validation and development.
• Zero ProjectsecondaryOthersPartner organization focused on innovative solutions for persons with disabilities, aligned with Senses Hub's mission.
• Njeri Maria FoundationsecondaryOthersCommunity partner for the CDLI Inclusion Project supporting speech data collection and community engagement.
• BlindShellsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationAccessible smartphone brand available through Senses Hub's AT catalogue. BlindShell Classic 2 priced at Ksh 85,000.
• DOT GlassessecondaryTechnology or IntegrationSimplified eyewear fitting technology partner. Senses Hub conducts independent Kenyan evaluation comparing DOT Glasses to standard full refraction.
• Access AustriaminorOthersPartner organization from Austria focused on accessibility and disability rights.
• AT Innovate NowsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation program partner supporting inclusive assistive technology innovators with structured cohort-based support.
• AT4DminorOthersPartner organization focused on assistive technology for development in Africa.
• KBTA (Kenyan Business Training Association)minorOthersTraining partner organization in Kenya.
• RAeminorOthersResearch and advocacy partner.
• Period RealityminorOthersPartner organization addressing menstrual health accessibility for persons with disabilities.
• Inspire Action AfricaminorOthersDisability inclusion partner organization in Africa.
• MIICminorOthersInnovation and incubation partner.
• HilfsgemeinschaftminorOthersAustrian organization supporting persons with visual impairments.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Torchit: Indian assistive technology startup building low-cost AT products and inclusive innovation ecosystems for emerging markets. Comparable developing-market AT venture model with manufacturing plus distribution at the bottom of the pyramid.
• DOT Glasses (DOT Incorporated): Affordable self-adjustable eyeglasses solution developed for developing markets. Both a product partner (under independent evaluation by Senses Hub) and a direct competitor in last-mile eyewear distribution across Africa.

Broad incumbents

• Humanware: Established global manufacturer of assistive technologies for the blind and low vision (Braille devices, low-vision aids, accessible GPS). Comparable product categories and customer base but operates at much larger scale and as a manufacturer.
• Perkins School for the Blind: Historic US institution serving people who are blind, deafblind, or visually impaired, with a global programs arm active in Africa. Comparable mission area around inclusive education and AT access for the visually impaired.
• CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind): Large established nonprofit delivering AT, rehabilitation, and advocacy services for people who are blind or partially sighted. Comparable integrated service-plus-product model across AT distribution, training, and policy advocacy.
• ATscale, Global Partnership for Assistive Technology: Global multi-stakeholder partnership focused on scaling access to assistive technology in low- and middle-income countries, including Africa. Directly comparable AT access agenda, donor-funded model, and cross-country policy influence.

Regional players

• Enable India: India-based nonprofit focused on disability inclusion, AT access, and livelihood programs. Comparable regional player operating an integrated model of AT distribution, training, and livelihood support for persons with disabilities.
• AMREF Health Africa: Largest Africa-based international health NGO running community-level health and rehabilitation programs across the continent. Comparable pan-African operational footprint, donor-funded model, and on-the-ground disability and rehabilitation engagement.

Direct peers

• Global Disability Innovation Hub (UCL): UCL-based research and innovation hub active across disability and assistive technology. Active research partner of Senses Hub on inclusive speech technology and DOT Glasses evaluation, with overlapping evidence-generation and policy focus.
• Hope Tech Plus: UK-based assistive technology organization that founded Senses Hub in 2023. Operates in the same AT co-design, testing, and distribution space across East Africa and provides the operational link between UK R&D and African field deployment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/senses_hub

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Senses Hub