Disability-focused accelerator program Remarkable has chosen seven start-ups for their 2021 accelerator program. The successful start-ups were chosen for their innovative solutions that would benefit people with disability.
As part of the program, Remarkable will be helping these start-ups improve and refine their products and / or services through a 14-week program on which they will work with some of Australia’s leading start-up coaches and mentors. These advisors will help the businesses refine their business model, find product-market fit and develop their go-to-market strategy.
The program’s popularity is indicative of the growth of the global assistive technology market, which is estimated to be on track to be worth US$31.5 billion by 2027. This is the the first year the that program features an international founder looking to get into the Australian market.
The chosen start-ups are:
- Wearable & Co (Sister company to Recovawear) – an inclusive and adaptive everyday clothing brand
- Speckles – specialists in children’s vision that combine vision correction solutions with fun and innovative products, including adjustable glasses and eye patches kids want to wear
- Medistays – an Australian website assisting patients, carers and health care professionals to book hospital, NDIS accommodation and other accessible accommodation.
- Humane – funding solution for people with disability and their carers.
- Cure Bionics – Tunisian-based providers of 3D-printed and customisable bionic arms that enhance the human body with multi-grip functionality and empowering aesthetics for below-elbow amputee adults and children aged eight and above.
- Spix App – tool for gamers with impaired speech to support social connection and rich interaction in-game.
- Theraplay.TV – a virtual program that builds the capacity of young people of all abilities as they play and interact.
“Hosting a virtual accelerator is still new territory for us but we are excited by this format because it encourages people at a global level to embrace the potential of technology to drive accessibility and inclusion,” Pete Horsley, Founder of Remarkable, said.
It is noted that the popularity of the global assistive technology market has risen in years, expecting to rise to up to US$31.5 billion by 2027 even in the midst of a global pandemic.
“Although last year was challenging for many reasons, our 2020 cohort was able to achieve amazing results and accessed significant funding with a mean investment of $111k per start-up, including the initial $35,000 funding provided by Remarkable,” said Horsley. “These results prove the increasing global interest and necessity of technology that not only removes barriers for people living with disability but improves life for the world at large. There has never been a better time to harness the power of tech to drive inclusion and accessibility and we can’t wait to witness the achievements of our 2021 cohort!”
The accelertator program will conclude on Tuesday, 13 July, during which the founders will showcase their respective solutions.
