Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), has partnered with AssisTech Foundation (ATF) to launch Samarth UnnATi, an Assistive Technology (AT) start-up scale-up programme under its ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ initiative. The programme is designed to foster innovation and accelerate the adoption of Assistive Technology solutions in India by supporting high-potential start-ups in scaling their innovations and expanding their market presence.
Recognising the transformative role of Assistive Technology in improving accessibility, independence, and inclusion for persons with disabilities, Samarth UnnATi aims to identify and nurture promising start-ups developing innovative AT solutions. The initiative will provide selected start-ups with capacity-building support, expert mentorship, access to industry knowledge networks, investor connections, and ecosystem partnerships to help them commercialise their solutions, strengthen their businesses, and maximize their social impact.
Through this initiative, Hyundai Motor India Foundation and AssisTech Foundation seek to create a robust innovation ecosystem that enables market-ready, revenue-generating Assistive Technology start-ups to scale their operations while delivering meaningful solutions that improve the quality of life for people with disabilities across India.
Speaking on the launch of the programme, Mr. Gopalakrishnan C S, Trustee, Hyundai Motor India Foundation, said, “At Hyundai, we believe that accessibility and innovation are powerful enablers of inclusion and progress. Through ‘Samarth by Hyundai’, we are committed to creating opportunities that empower persons with disabilities to participate more independently and confidently in society. The Samarth UnnATi – AT start-up scale-up program is an important step towards strengthening Assistive Technology ecosystem by supporting innovators who are developing impactful solutions to address real-world accessibility challenges. Through our partnership with AssisTech Foundation, we aim to accelerate the adoption of assistive technologies and help build a more inclusive society.”
Prateek Madhav, CEO and Co-Founder, AssisTech Foundation (ATF), said, “By 2050, the need for assistive products in the global population is estimated to increase to 3.5 billion (UNICEF Global Report on Assistive Technology). To reach this breadth, innovation cannot be a standalone phenomenon. It must be nurtured, deployed at scale and reach the people who need it the most. Samarth UnnATi is the engine that drives this, bringing together these largely disparate efforts toward a more cohesive approach.”
Through Samarth UnnATi program, Hyundai Motor India Foundation seeks to bridge the gap between innovation and accessibility by enabling promising Assistive Technology solutions to scale and reach more beneficiaries. A dedicated grant support of INR 75 lakh, under the programme will facilitate market access, deployment and scale-up of Assistive Technology solutions, directly benefiting persons with disabilities and helping innovative solutions reach the communities that need them the most. In addition, the initiative will support institutional capacity building and strengthen engagement with key stakeholders, including disability welfare institutions and officials, creating a sustainable framework for long-term impact and inclusion. The initiative reinforces HMIF’s commitment to fostering inclusion, accessibility and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, while contributing towards a more equitable society.
