The Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust (AT4D), a Kenya-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing assistive technology innovation, has partnered with the Judith Neilson Foundation to launch the Momentous Pilot Fund, a $500,000 initiative aimed at supporting early-stage assistive technology startups across Africa. This fund targets digital solutions that enhance mobility, communication, inclusive education, independent living, and digital accessibility for people with disabilities.
The fund comes at a critical time, as access to assistive technologies in Africa remains low despite a significant and growing demand. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 200 million people in Africa need at least one assistive product, but only one in ten can access the devices they require. The Momentous Fund aims to address this gap by providing tailored support to up to five early-stage African ventures, offering catalytic investment, technical assistance, venture-building support, and strategic partnerships to help them scale their solutions.
Bernard Chiira, CEO of AT4D, highlighted the barriers faced by early-stage assistive technology innovators in Africa, particularly the challenge of accessing capital. This is the first fund of its kind on the continent, specifically designed to invest in emerging assistive technology startups. The Momentous Fund will serve as a test for an investment model focused on lived experience, while also contributing to the growth of an ecosystem needed to scale disability innovation across Africa.
In addition to supporting individual ventures, the fund will act as a pilot to explore and validate a sustainable, Africa-led assistive technology investment model. The insights gained from this initiative will help inform the expansion of the fund’s second phase, with the aim of scaling disability-focused innovation financing across Africa. The Momentous Fund also seeks to shift the narrative around disability innovations, emphasizing that this sector offers real investment opportunities, impact, and sustainable returns.
Founded in 2023 by Bernard Chiira, AT4D is committed to supporting the development and scaling of assistive technology startups in Africa. The organization offers accelerator programs, mentorship, and ecosystem support to innovators working on tools that improve accessibility for people with disabilities. AT4D also runs the Innovate Now accelerator, which has supported startups such as Signvrse, an AI-driven platform that translates speech and text into real-time sign language, Linccell Technologies, a mobility device startup, and Village2Nation, an edtech platform.
