UCL and Indian partners announce new round of funding for 50 disability inclusion startups

Attvaran empowers early-stage innovators and entrepreneurs to develop affordable assistive technology solutions for people with disabilities and the elderly in India and around the world.

UCL President & Provost Dr Michael Spence announced the new funding this week (Tuesday 19 November) during Bengaluru Tech Summit, where the first 20 startups supported through the programme showcased their innovations and pitched to investors as part of an Attvaran Demo Day.

Among those pitching were startups using AI to design smart prosthetics, mobile phone apps that connect to glasses to make content more accessible, and a chatbot that provides comprehensive support to neurodivergent and neurotypical children.

Through the programme, the partners hope to address the need for assistive technologies in underserved communities.

Speaking at the Attvaran Demo Day in Bengaluru, Dr Spence praised the longstanding and impactful research collaborations between UCL and partners in India.

Dr Spence said: “Today’s event is part of a journey that began with the 2012 London Paralympics, which inspired a powerful movement for inclusive innovation. With the launch of the Attvaran programme, we’re thrilled to bring this mission here to India, where the energy and drive of the innovation community are unmatched. Through our partnerships with IIT Delhi and IIT Madras, we are creating real solutions to real-world challenges, solutions that can be affordable, accessible, and scaled for impact.”

Funded by the UK Foreign Commonwealth Development Office as part of the AT2030 programme led by the Global Disability Innovation Hub, the Attvaran Accelerator is building innovation ecosystems and regional insights to amplify new ideas into market-ready solutions, by supporting emerging entrepreneurs, forging new interactions, innovation, research and business opportunities.

The Demo Day brought ventures together with ecosystem funders, private capital, and business, pitching for investment to support the scaling of new ideas.

The 20 startups supported by the Attvaran program are making remarkable progress, showcasing innovation and impact across various stages of development.

Early-stage startups like uDot are refining prototypes for refreshable tactile displays to enhance the education of blind students. They have also raised over £10,000 in grant funding, extending their runway and solidifying their growth trajectory.

Emerging startups like Thrvy, which develops powered mobility devices for manual wheelchair users, are gaining significant attention. They have received multiple offers from investors and CSR donors eager to support their entry into markets nationwide.

More mature startups like LifeandLimb.ai are taking major strides, securing purchase orders from leading distributors of upper limb prosthetics across the country.

Attvaran has played a crucial role in this success, providing networking opportunities, mentorship, demo days, and exhibitions. The program has raised more than £100,000 for the startups since its inception, underscoring its impact on the startup ecosystem and, importantly, the AT ecosystem.

As Attvaran moves into its second phase, it will build upon longstanding relationships to advance assistive technology in ways that are both globally scalable and deeply relevant locally. The programme will pave the way for accessible solutions that empower people and create new opportunities, amplifying change through deep partnerships in assistive technology and disability innovation.

Professor Catherine Holloway, Academic Director of the GDI Hub at UCL, said partners were committed to creating a future where technology and innovation are accessible to all. She added: “India is a startup nation, and assistive technology is a globally growing market. Our first Attvaran cohort has showcased the strength of the Indian ecosystem and the potential to fast track impactful solutions through targeted expertise and interventions. By amplifying innovation in the Indian AT space, we can power regional insights, creating a dynamic blueprint to change lives.”

Professor PVM Rao, IIT Delhi, said: “The journey of an assistive technology startup is often much harder and longer than most. While creating a high-quality product through deep immersion in the ecosystem is crucial, the real challenge lies in disseminating it and getting it into the hands of users who need it most. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone in this room who understands and supports this mission, with a special thanks to the UCL team for their invaluable partnership in tackling this global challenge.”

Links

• Professor Cathy Holloway
• Global Disability Innovation Hub
• UCL Engineering
• IIT Delhi
• IIT Madras