Sector Overview
The WHO has estimated that over 1 billion people live with disability across the globe. With a global ageing population and rise in non-communicable diseases, it has been estimated that more than 2 billion people will need at least 1 assistive product by 2030, with many older people needing 2 or more devices.
people globally
experience disability
of people cannot afford
healthcare treatment
more likely to suffer from
catastrophic health expenditure
people globally, will need at-least 1 assistive product, by 2030
Assistive products maintain or improve an individual’s functioning and independence, thereby promoting their well-being!
people globally, experience hearing loss. This represents 6% of the world’s population. Production of hearing aids only meets:10% of global need
people globally with low vision who do not have access to assistive products for low-vision globally.
people globally, who need a wheelchair and only 5% to 15% of those in need who have access to one.
people globally have a developmental disability. This represents 2.6% of the world’s population.
There are approximately 40 to 80 million PwDs in India. with low literacy levels, high unemployment, poor health management
104 million senior citizens in India. 64 per thousand in rural | 55 per thousand in urban
areas suffer from one or more disabilities.
Ecosystem Challenges
Today, India accounts for about 40 to 80 million persons-with-disabilities (PwDs)—i.e. one in twelve households has a family member with a disability. However, due to low literacy levels, social stigma, and lack of opportunities, people with disabilities remain the most excluded members of Indian society.
Intervention of the right assistive technology can integrate PwDs into the society and make the environment more inclusive.
- Lack of R&D infrastructure
- Fragmented Market with a broken supply chain
- Lack of access to risk capital
- Limited manufacturing hubs
- Low affordability amongst the customer base
WHY IS AFFORDABILITY SUCH A HUGE PROBLEM?
A large number of children with disabilities stay out of school and an exorbitant number of people with disability remain unemployed as the society does not have an inclusive environment to accommodate PwD’s. Moreover, the out of pocket expenses incurred by the families of PwDs is high and grows exponentially over time even to meet their basic needs. Estimates show that 50% of such individuals are more likely to suffer from catastrophic health expenditure and 1 in 2 of them cannot afford healthcare treatment.
50%
More likely to suffer from catastrophic health expenditure
1/2
Of People with Disability cannot afford healthcare treatment.
REQUIRED INTERVENTION
An immediate solution is to develop a financial instrument that makes existing high-quality technologies/solutions more affordable and accessible to the end user; further allowing easier market entry for technologies. This will allow technologies in:
- Development of sustainable financing models.
- Economies of scale by improving the market demand.
- Risk capital inflow in the Assistive Technology space.
Swavalamban Divyangjan ATMA Fund
Social Alpha is introducing, the Swavalamban Divyangjan ATMA Fund. The Fund will finance up to 50% of selling price for the initial users, improving the access, and reducing the out-of-pocket expenditure for procuring new technologies. This will lead to improved affordability and access of assistive technologies to the unserved and the underserved population.
Selling Price = Customer (50%) + ATMA Fund Support (upto 50%)
The Fund will ease the entry of the assistive technology solution into the market, reduce the expenditure for the end-users and eventually help the startup scale its selling price in the market.
Theory of Change
How to apply and selection process
The start-ups will be able to apply throughout the year, in a rolling application format.
Applying start-up will go through the selection process in a quarter.
To apply please write to us at as assistivetech@socialalpha.org with your product deck and information on any pilots you may have conducted.
frequently asked questions
Swavalamban Divyangjan Assistive Technology Market Access (ATMA) Fund is searching for start-ups and social enterprises who have created innovative products, equipment, or systems that enhance the learning, working and daily living for persons-with-disabilities.
To know more about the Fund, we request you to go through our frequently-asked-questions (FAQs) section:
Eligibility
1.Who can apply for the Fund?
Swavalamban Divyangjan Assistive Technology Market Access (ATMA) Fund is searching for start-ups and social enterprises who have created innovative products, equipment, or systems that enhance the learning, working and daily living for persons-with-disabilities.
The Fund can be accessed only by Startups that are incubated by Social Alpha. To apply for Social Alpha Incubation, please submit your pitch deck to assistivetech@socialalpha.org and fill the form here.
Individual innovators are not eligible to apply for this Fund. As the Fund is looking for innovators to work on establishing marketing channels for existing products and not research and product development, only those with developed ideas and ready to launch the product in market should apply.
A company which has applied, has to be owned by resident Indian citizen i.e. at least 51% of capital in the company is owned beneficially by a resident Indian citizen.
2. I am a college student working on a technology. Can I apply for incubation and Swavalamban Divyangjan ATMA Fund
Yes, as long as you have a working product that is serving the needs of people with disabilities, and have an established entity, you are welcome to apply. However, since the incubation can include financial support, an applicant showing strong intent and a well-defined roadmap and infrastructure to support it has a higher chance of getting selected. It is recommended that this is taken into consideration at the time of application.
3. Can I submit more than one application for different technologies?
Yes, applicants can apply multiple applications, but each application has to feature a distinct technology/process/innovation. However, in the final decision, only one application (if selected) will be considered per enterprise.
4. Is there any preference for a particular type of innovation?
Applicants are encouraged to submit applications for innovations that solve a real-world challenge faced by persons-with-disabilities. Innovations can be product, product or systems based, but must be directed towards benefitting the underserved market.
Incubation offerings
1. What are the different benefits for the startup selected under ATMA fund?
The startup will be provided support for next 12 months under Social Alpha standard incubation support at no cost or equity. They will receive the following services
- Access to Swavalamban Divyangjan Assistive Tech Market Access (ATMA) Fund of upto INR 20 Lakhs as a grant.
- The startups will also have access to Social Alpha Team to provide in-depth hands-on support to establish product-market fit, and go-to-market planning.
- Access to Social Alpha Sector Specific Key Opinion Leaders, Experts, Users, and Problems statements.
- Support in developing preliminary business plan and Financial models including cashflow statements, investment template and a strategy building workshop
- Knowledge Services- Access to KS Sessions – Workshop, Bootcamp, Accelerator Programs,
- Access to Social Alpha’s Assistive Technologies Open Innovation Platform
2. What are the benefits of the Advance incubation services?
The terms and conditions for the Advance incubation will be shared to the startup. The startup incubated under Advance incubation by Social Alpha will receive the following services
- Access to Swavalamban Divyangjan Assistive Tech Market Access (ATMA) Fund of upto INR 20 Lakhs as a grant.
- The startups will also have access to Social Alpha Team to provide in-depth hands-on support to establish product-market fit, and go-to-market planning.
- Access to Social Alpha Sector Specific Key Opinion Leaders, Experts, Users, and Problems statements.
- Support in developing business and financial models including cashflow statements, investment templates and strategy building workshops.
- Follow-on Funding Opportunity of up to INR 1 CR from Social Alpha, subject to further due diligence.
- The startups supported through follow-on funding opportunity will have access to Investment Syndication and Fundraising Support through active investors and donor network
- Engineering support
- In-house CTO services of fixed hours for providing guidance on product ( Hardware and Software) roadmap & execution support
- Facilitation of Design for manufacturing through proprietary national network of identified vendors.
- Advice on manufacturing/contract manufacturing and optimization trade-offs for cost vs features for various product-market fit equations
- Product Validation from Clinical Centres- Identifying stakeholders with expertise to validate the innovation and Guidance regarding investigational and pivotal studies
- Regulatory Support – Guidance for Product certification and regulatory approval via proprietary network of expert consultants and service providers for ISO, CE, CDSCO & FDA
- Access to Social Alpha’s Assistive Technologies Open Innovation Platform
- Access to Shared Services (At preferential rate) – Finance, Secretarial, Legal, Marketing related Services, HR Services and IP
- Access to Tech Services- Cloud Credits – AWS, IBM, Zoho, Paytm Payment gateway etc.
- Infrastructure support- Office seating and Concierge, Access to meeting rooms, Access to 3D Printers at discounted rate cards (Limited number of seats)
- Knowledge Services- Access to KS Sessions – Workshop, Bootcamp, Accelerator Programs, Access to Mentor Network and Expert network
- Access to Experts from Industry Leading Organizations – Microsoft and Google
Follow-on Funding
1. Will I be eligible to receive dilutive funding by Social Alpha upon selection?
This will be determined on a case-to-case basis. The incubatee availing advance incubation services might be considered for follow-on funding by the Social Alpha’s investment committee, subject to due diligence and at the sole discretion of Social Alpha.
2. Can I find other funding partners for dilutive investments?
Yes, the incubated start-ups can find other funding partners.
3. Is there any deadline for the startup applying for Incubation and ATMA Fund?
No, applications are open on a rolling format basis, however the Swavalamban Divyangjan Assistive Tech Market Access (ATMA) Fund will only be allotted to top 4 incubated startups.
DismissTerms and Conditions
Please read the following terms and conditions before submitting your entry:
Eligibility
- Any individual or group of individuals, representing a Start-up, who have an innovative product/solution that addresses challenges faced by persons-with-disabilities (PwDs) in India (though not exclusively), are eligible for the Fund. An entity shall be considered as a “Start-up” upto a period of 10 years from the date of incorporation/ registration, if it is incorporated as a private limited company (as defined in the Companies Act, 2013), and such entity shall be ‘owned and controlled’ by resident Indian citizens. A company is considered as “owned” by resident Indian citizens if more than 50% of the equity interest in it is beneficially owned by resident Indian citizens and it is considered as “controlled” by resident Indian citizens, if resident Indian citizens have the power to appoint a majority of its directors.
- Participating or proposed Start-ups should be independent entities, meaning that they should not be a subsidiary of an existing corporation or have legal ties to any government body.
- The Fund is looking for innovators with solutions ready to enter the market, and not for research and product development. Only those with developed products and completed user testing should apply.
Submissions and Participation
- Incomplete submissions will be deemed void and disqualified from the evaluations.
- Submissions should be the original work of the participant/ participating entity and should demonstrate positive sustainable and scalable impact for persons-with-disabilities in India (though not exclusive to the region).
- Startups agree to allow the use of details of their enterprise, including their names, photographs, disclosure of their country of residence; and are required to cooperate with any other reasonable requests by Social Alpha relating to any publicity-related activities.
- Finalists are required to submit a declaration of good standing and solvency at the final stage of evaluation. If there is any change in circumstance that invalidates their good standing and solvency, the team is to immediately inform the organisers.
- All participants own the rights to their ideas. Participants must properly acknowledge any trademarked, patented or copyrighted materials of others that are incorporated into their submission materials. Participants are responsible for obtaining any necessary permissions before utilizing such materials into their submissions. All content used by the participants must not in any manner be unlawful or defamatory and shall at all times be in compliance with applicable laws.
- Submitted ideas are protected in the spirit of non-disclosure, and all submitted materials will be treated as company confidential. The only people with access to the entry materials will be the selected members of the Social Alpha and its expert committee. Materials will not be distributed to any other party unless requested by the participant. No other provisions are made to protect intellectual property.
- Any dispute between you and Social Alpha shall be governed by the laws of India, without regard to conflicts of law. The courts in Bengaluru shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes between you and Social Alpha.
Decisions Regarding incubating the startup and Swavalamban Divyangjan ATMA Fund
- The selection of the startup for incubation and for market access fund is at the sole discretion of Social Alpha and partnering organisations. Best efforts will be made to make decisions in accordance with this document.
- Throughout any and all phases of the challenge, all decisions by Social Alpha and partnering organisation are final.
- Startups will be evaluated across multiple stages, and will be intimated about being rejected or moving to the next stage.
Disqualification and Organiser’s Right to Amend Selection Rules
- Social Alpha reserve the right to disqualify any participant who is found to have violated the spirit of the funds guidelines and terms and conditions stated herein.
- The organisers reserve the right to amend these rules at any point .
- Any change in schedule will be suitably intimated on the Funds webpage
Problem Statement / Need Statement
Any Assistive Technology can apply for the Fund.Some examples of need statements are given below. The Fund is NOT restricted to the below mentioned areas. If you have any assistive technology solution, you are eligible to apply.
1. Visual impairment need statements:
Education: Improved infrastructure to deliver education and skilling to people with visual impairment, including (but not limited to) access to right and affordable digital and physical content; improving physical and digital infrastructure at schools and homes; training and supporting special educators; and promoting inclusivity in mainstream education.
Livelihoods: Supporting and improving existing corporate and government infrastructure to make employment more inclusive for people with visual impairment, and providing professional training to people with visual impairment. This includes (but is not limited to) physical and digital infrastructure; availability of right tools; process and design improvements; training of the community around people with visual impairment; or making online training and courses accessible.
Independent living: Solutions that promote independent living for people-with-disability at home or in public places. This includes (but is not limited to), better community infrastructure – physical and digital; or tools that support inclusion of person with visual impairment in routine activities such as daily household chores; navigation at home or outside; and other mobility issues.
2. Developmental Disability & Chronic Neurological Conditions need statements:
Screening/Diagnosis: There is a need for solutions that can promote affordable and scalable screening and diagnosis of hidden cognitive disabilities among early age groups, or progression of cognitive disability such as dementia in elderly, allowing for timely interventions. This includes (but is not limited to) tools to identify key indicators; tools for easy adoption with minimal training; diagnosis of the actual reasons to provide right medications/therapies; tools measuring the progress of the disability; therapy; or tools to promote awareness.
Therapy/Treatment: Innovations that can allow improved and affordable clinical pathways of therapy/treatment/management and can reduce the burden on the limited number of clinics. This includes (but is not limited to) improved clinical efficiency; solutions adding more therapy providers; innovations reducing cost of therapy/treatments, or allowing remote availability, or promoting home care.
Independent living: Innovations that can promote independent living of people with neurological disabilities such as Parkinsons.
3. Locomotor disability need statement:
Treatment/Therapy: Solutions that can improve the clinical pathways of providing therapies to people with physical disability, including (but not limited to) improved affordability; acceleration of therapies; and remote treatment and management.
Independent living: An innovative and affordable product or a service that allows people with physical disability to live independently, including (but not limited to) mobility; improved physical infrastructure for easy access; and assistive tools to supplement the daily activities, or faster infrastructural assessments.
4. Speech & hearing impairment need statement:
Screening/Diagnosis: Affordable technologies and services that can prompt, train and detect hearing loss among children at early age groups and among elders, so that the golden period is not lost. This includes (but is not limited to) home tools; affordable and efficient screening services and technologies; innovation to identify hearing loss reasons; or assessing therapy progress.
Therapy/Treatment: Services and technologies that can provide an efficient clinical pathway for improved therapies for hearing and speech loss. This includes (but is not limited to) improved home and clinical treatment; process innovation; affordable assistive aids for improved hearing and speech such that dependency is reduced.
Education and skilling: Solutions that provide accessible education for people with hearing loss across all age groups. This includes (but is not limited to) solutions for training teacher and parents; solutions to improve digital access to content; tools allowing easy communications in classrooms; or improved and faster content development and delivery.
Livelihoods: Solution that promote inclusion of person with both hearing and speech impairment in official infrastructure and which can easily be adopted. This includes (but is not limited to) solutions which allow for easy and effective communication in office in both one-on-one and large group settings.