AssisTech Foundation

What AssisTech Foundation does

AssisTech Foundation (ATF) is a Bengaluru-headquartered non-profit organization, established in 2018, that operates as India's first Assistive Technology (AT) innovation ecosystem. Rather than developing AT products itself, ATF functions as an ecosystem enabler supporting AT startups through a 16-week cohort-based acceleration program (cATalyst), mentorship from 55+ business, technology, and disability experts, and curated access to disability-focused NGOs, beneficiaries, investors, and government stakeholders. The foundation's portfolio comprises 65+ startups across 7 cohorts that have collectively developed 120+ AT products and filed 60+ patents, addressing 12 disability categories including visual, speech and hearing, physical, and intellectual disabilities. ATF's outreach spans 500+ AT startups in its network and 1200+ through the +N Inclusive Innovation Network across 7 countries. The organization claims to have impacted 1 million persons with disabilities in 5 years, targeting 1 billion by 2030.

The foundation's core products include the ATF Awards (India's first AT awards, sponsored by Titan and others), ATF Fellowship (12-month program for young professionals), ATF Adidvara (digital marketplace for AT solutions), and D&I Advisory services for corporates. Key strategic partnerships include co-development with IIT Madras Research Park, financial inclusion initiatives with Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) and HDFC Bank (i-Innovate), CSR sponsorship from Microsoft, Wipro, HDFC, Titan, SBI Foundation, Tech Mahindra Foundation, Cognizant Foundation, and Shell, and a steering committee role with Niti Aayog for India's National Strategic Framework for AT. ATF runs events including ATF Conclave and AThlete Unleashed (5km run at Wipro Bengaluru Marathon).

ATF's revenue is not publicly disclosed; the organization is funded through grants, CSR contributions, and government support, with portfolio startups having raised INR 40 crores collectively from external investors. ATF does not charge application fees and the acceleration program is offered without cost to selected startups. Leadership comprises Co-Founder & CEO Prateek Madhav (recipient of the National Award from the President of India for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities), Co-Founder & Board Member Ravi Narayan (former CEO of T-Hub, ex-Microsoft for Startups Global Director), Co-Founder & Board Member Krishnamoorthy Ananthasivam (ex-Infosys VP), and Co-Founder & Board Member Jawahar Bekay (Executive Chairman of TAO Automation, co-founder of Microland).

Name

AssisTech Foundation

Legal name

AssisTech Foundation

Website

https://atflabs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AssisTech Foundation is a Bengaluru-based non-profit ecosystem enabler supporting India's assistive technology startups through a 16-week acceleration program, mentorship, and a network spanning 500+ startups and 7 countries, serving persons with disabilities across learning, livelihood, and living outcomes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Assistive Technology Startup Ecosystem Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM), Assistive Technology for LD (Reading/Writing Tools & Training) (EDAKAJAH), Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention (EDAKAKAI)

Keywords

• Assistive technology startups
• Disability startup accelerator
• Nonprofit ecosystem enabler
• Assistive technology marketplace
• Disability inclusion innovation

Headquarters

HQ city

Bengaluru

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Acceleration Program & Ecosystem Services: ATF operates as a non-profit ecosystem enabler. The organization generates revenue through grants, CSR funding from corporate partners, government grants, and impact fund investments. ATF supports startups with access to early-stage investors, impact investors, venture capitalists, and corporate CSR. The organization also facilitates fundraising for portfolio startups, with 19 portfolio startups having raised INR 40 crores collectively.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AssisTech Foundation operates as a non-profit ecosystem enabler that supports and promotes assistive technology startups through a 16-week acceleration program (cATalyst), the ATF Awards recognition program, a 12-month ATF Fellowship program, and the ATF Adidvara curated digital marketplace connecting AT solutions with persons with disabilities. The foundation also facilitates D&I advisory services for corporates, runs the +N Inclusive Innovation Network across 7 countries, and executes specialized initiatives including i-Innovate (financial inclusion with RBIH and HDFC Bank), AThlete Unleashed (inclusive marathon), and Vacc-i-nation. Its portfolio of 65+ AT startups spans 7 cohorts with 120+ products and 60+ patents.

Product overview

AssisTech Foundation (ATF) is India's first Assistive Technology Innovation Ecosystem that operates as an ecosystem enabler rather than a product company. ATF's core offerings consist of acceleration programs (cATalyst 16-week startup acceleration), awards (ATF Awards recognizing AT innovators), fellowships (12-month program), and initiatives including Adidvara digital marketplace, D&I Advisory services, and the +N Global Alliance. The organization supports a portfolio of 65+ startups across 7 cohorts with 120+ AT products and 60+ patents through mentorship, funding access, and go-to-market support. Key initiatives include i-Innovate (financial inclusion with RBIH and HDFC Bank), AThlete Unleashed (marathon event), and Vacc-i-nation (vaccination program). The portfolio includes startups developing AI-powered assistive technologies such as Smarton (wearable for visually impaired), Glovatrix (sign language translation), Punarjeeva (gamified rehab), Marbles Health (brain stimulation), and SparshMind (XR neuro-rehabilitation).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ATF Awards: India's first assistive technology awards recognizing startups and ecosystem enablers in the disability space.
• ATF Enable Acceleration Program
• ATF Fellowship
• ATF Adidvara
• i-Innovate
• AThlete Unleashed

Products and services

• ATF Acceleration Program (cATalyst) 16-week exclusive acceleration program for Assistive Technology-based startups creating solutions for people with disabilities, providing mentorship from 55+ business, technology, and disability leaders, funding access, go-to-market strategies, and networking support across ATF's global partners in 7 countries.
• ATF Awards India's first Assistive Technology Awards recognizing outstanding contributions across Emerging Startups, Established Startups, and Enablers categories, with 10 award categories. No application fees are charged. Held annually at major venues including Bengaluru Tech Summit and IIT Madras Research Park.
• ATF Fellowship 12-month fellowship program for young professionals to contribute to the disability sector through technology as an enabler, working with startup founders and ATF senior board members.
• ATF Adidvara India's first curated digital platform/marketplace for people with disabilities, accelerating adoption of Assistive Technology solutions for learning, livelihood and living. Phase 1 focused on enabling 6,000 deaf youth with Indian Sign Language accessible content.
• D&I Advisory Disability and Inclusion advisory services enabling corporates to increase talent pool via inclusion of persons with disabilities in workforce.
• +N Inclusive Innovation Network Global Alliance on Assistive Technology Innovations and Investments co-founded with partners across Australia, Canada, Kenya, New Zealand, UK and US, with a network of 1200+ AT startups and aims to establish an inclusive innovation network through global collaboration.
• i-Innovate Joint initiative of Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) and HDFC Bank in partnership with ATF, implementing programs for innovation and inclusivity within the financial sector for persons with disabilities, including innovation grants up to INR 15 lakhs, network mixers, offline demo days, 1:1 mentoring, and domain-specific masterclasses.
• AThlete Unleashed Historic 5km run event powered by Assistive Technology during Wipro Bengaluru Marathon, pairing persons with disabilities with CXO buddy runners. Reached approximately 1.5 crore people through media coverage.
• Vacc-i-nation Mission to vaccinate people with disabilities on priority, having helped vaccinate 8,583 people with disabilities and their caregivers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1 million persons with disabilities impacted in 5 years
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability10 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• IIT Madras Research ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed between ATF and IIT Madras Research Park to collaborate on supporting development of assistive technology products and solutions. Collaboration aims to incorporate AT modules into classroom learning, establish dedicated AT innovation labs, organize hackathons, scale AT reach to beneficiaries, and form R&D units. Led by Padma Shri Awardee Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationCorporate partner providing technology support and accessibility expertise to ATF ecosystem. Microsoft has participated as sponsor at ATF Awards and collaborated on disability inclusion initiatives.
• ThoughtWorkscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of ATF Awards Emerging Startups category. ThoughtWorks has provided support for the awards program and accessibility-focused technology consulting.
• Titan CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with ATF to design the ATF Awards trophy inspired by Japanese Wabi-Sabi philosophy and Buddhist principles. Trophy design incorporates Kintsugi concept of viewing cracks as assets.
• Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBiH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRBiH partnered with HDFC Bank and ATF on the i-Innovate initiative focused on financial inclusion for persons with disabilities. RBiH enables frictionless finance to a billion Indians through innovation across the financial sector.
• WiprocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWipro partnered with ATF for the AThlete Unleashed 5km run at the Wipro Bengaluru Marathon, enabling persons with disabilities to participate with CXO buddy runners. Wipro is a leading technology services and consulting company with over 250,000 employees across 66 countries.
• IIT DelhimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner engaged in AT research and innovation. IIT Delhi won ATF Award 2022 for Best AT Initiative amongst Educational Institutions.
• IIIT BangaloremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner. IIIT Bangalore won ATF Award 2025 for Best AT Initiative amongst Educational Institutes for Accessible Resource Centre advancing inclusive STEM education.
• IIM BangaloremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManagement institute partner engaged in AT ecosystem development through thought leadership and mentorship programs.
• VIT (Vellore Institute of Technology)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIT Technology Business Incubator (TBI) supports ATF portfolio startups with resources. VIT TBI won ATF Award 2024 for Best AT Initiative among Educational Institutes.
• VillgromajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSocial enterprise accelerator supporting ATF startups through incubation and mentorship programs in the disability and AT space.
• SINE IIT BombaymajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIIT Bombay's startup incubator. Won ATF Award 2023 for Best AT Investor of the Year.
• T-HubmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTelangana's startup hub. Ravi Narayan, ATF Board Member, served as CEO of T-Hub. T-Hub collaborates with ATF on startup acceleration.
• NASSCOM FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner at NASSCOM Global Inclusion Summit. ATF participated in the summit to build awareness about AT ecosystem and showcase innovations.
• +N Inclusive Innovation NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal alliance co-founded by ATF with partners across Australia, Canada, Kenya, New Zealand, UK, and US. The alliance has a network of 1200+ AT startups and aims to establish an inclusive innovation network through global collaboration on AT.
• Niti AayogcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerATF is part of the steering committee instituted by Niti Aayog to design the National Strategic Framework for Assistive Technology in India, with an objective to make India a Global Hub of Assistive Technology.
• Remarkable, AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner in the +N Inclusive Innovation Network focused on disability and AT innovation from Australia.
• GDI Hub, UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Disability Innovation Hub based in UK, partner in +N Inclusive Innovation Network. Catherine Holloway, Academic Director of GDI Hub, has supported ATF Awards.
• Innovate Now!, KenyaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfrica's first AT accelerator, partner in +N Inclusive Innovation Network. Bernard Chiira, Director of Innovate Now, serves as ATF Awards Enablers Jury member.
• NEB SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSports organization that managed the Wipro Bengaluru Marathon where ATF's AThlete Unleashed event was held, promoting inclusive sports participation.
• ShellcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for ATF Awards. Sanjay Varkey, Director of Shell Mobility India, has participated in ATF Awards ceremonies and served on jury panels.
• AccenturecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner and sponsor supporting ATF Awards. Ashahad Hasnain, Associate Director at Accenture, served on ATF Awards 2024 Enablers Awards Jury.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AbilityNet: UK-based charity helping disabled people use digital technology. Comparable as a disability-tech focused nonprofit ecosystem enabler offering advisory, content, and partnerships across assistive technology adoption.
• Remarkable: Australian AT-focused accelerator and +N Network partner of ATF. Directly comparable as a regional AT startup accelerator supporting disability tech founders with mentorship and investment readiness.
• Villgro: India-based social enterprise incubator and implementation partner of ATF. Comparable as a domestic social-impact accelerator supporting health, disability, and agriculture startups through funding and mentorship.
• Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub): UK-based global disability innovation hub at UCL and a +N Network partner of ATF. Comparable as an accelerator/research organization that drives AT startup ecosystems, events, and policy advocacy across multiple countries.
• Innovate Now!: Africa's first AT accelerator based in Kenya and a +N Inclusive Innovation Network partner alongside AssisTech Foundation. Directly comparable as a disability-focused startup accelerator serving AT founders in a specific geography with cohort-based programming.
• Unreasonable Group: Global impact accelerator that runs cohort-based programs for social enterprises. Comparable as a nonprofit-aligned accelerator network supporting impact entrepreneurs with mentorship and capital access.

Emerging players

• Social Alpha: India-based impact investment platform and financial partner of ATF. Comparable as a deep-science/impact investment vehicle that backs social enterprises including AT startups, with overlap in portfolio companies.

Broad incumbents

• Acumen: Global impact investment fund with a focus on poverty alleviation including disability inclusion. Comparable as a larger, established impact investor with overlapping networks in social enterprise capital deployment.
• Microsoft AI for Accessibility: Microsoft's corporate disability-tech grant program and a core partner of ATF. Comparable as a broad incumbent funder that supports AT startups directly, potentially competing with ecosystem intermediaries.

Regional players

• Perkins International: US-based organization serving people with blindness and disabilities globally through education and AT innovation. Comparable as a long-established disability-services and AT organization with global programs but rooted in a different primary geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/assistech-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/atfadidvara
• Xx.com/AssistechF
• Facebookfacebook.com/AssisTech-Foundation-ATF-100064785333503

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about AssisTech Foundation