In a continent bursting with entrepreneurial energy, one accelerator stands out not only for what it builds — but for who it builds for. Innovate Now, Africa’s premier assistive technology accelerator, has become the beating heart of a growing movement: inclusive innovation for people with disabilities.
Now in its eighth cohort, Innovate Now is redefining what it means to create tech for impact — nurturing startups that solve real-world challenges for a population too often left behind by mainstream tech ecosystems.
From Margins to the Mainstage
People with disabilities in Africa face significant barriers — from limited access to mobility tools, to digital exclusion, to inaccessible education and employment systems. Innovate Now doesn’t just recognize this gap — it builds bridges across it.
The accelerator scouts, trains, and funds startups creating life-changing solutions such as:
- Voice-controlled navigation systems for the visually impaired
- Low-cost smart prosthetics
- Digital platforms for accessible learning
- Tools that help caregivers remotely monitor elderly users or children with disabilities
Through structured mentorship, hands-on testing, and global exposure, Innovate Now helps these ventures transform prototypes into scalable businesses that can reach thousands — even millions — across the continent.
Disability Innovation, Driven by Community
One of Innovate Now’s most powerful traits is its deep integration with the disability community. Unlike traditional accelerators, here, people with lived experience of disability are co-creators, mentors, and even founders themselves.
This community-driven approach ensures that each product is relevant, respectful, and ready to solve specific challenges. Whether it’s a child with cerebral palsy or a deaf entrepreneur, their voices are central to the design and decision-making process.
This is what makes Innovate Now different — it’s not building for people with disabilities, it’s building with them.
Real Results, Real Impact
Since 2019, Innovate Now has accelerated more than 45 ventures, helping many secure investment, launch pilots in schools and clinics, and even export their products beyond Kenyan borders.
Past success stories include:
- An affordable smart wheelchair controlled by facial gestures
- An EdTech platform for inclusive classrooms in rural communities
- A sign-language-to-text app developed by a deaf-led team
These aren’t just gadgets — they’re gateways to education, independence, and dignity.
A Model for Inclusive African Innovation
As Innovate Now expands its reach, it’s also creating a blueprint for how Africa can lead the world in ethical, inclusive tech. It’s not just about scaling startups — it’s about shaping systems.
With support from international development agencies, disability rights organizations, and innovation hubs, the accelerator is actively influencing how governments, funders, and tech ecosystems approach disability inclusion.
It’s pushing for inclusive procurement in public programs, accessible product design in tech hubs, and policy changes that prioritize disability innovation in national development agendas.
Conclusion
Innovate Now isn’t just an accelerator — it’s a revolution in motion. One that sees disability not as a limitation, but as a frontier for creativity, collaboration, and meaningful tech.
As the eighth cohort steps into the spotlight, these founders aren’t just building products — they’re building a more just and accessible future for Africa. And in doing so, they’re proving that true innovation doesn’t leave anyone behind.