The Future of Disability Tech Startups

From brain-computer interface (BCI) technology in everyday life to extended reality (XR) navigation solutions, Remarkable has announced the innovative disability tech startups in their 2023 accelerator.

“Disability Tech continues to show strong growth as a sector, with a number of investment funds specifically focused on investing in this space, despite global headwinds in venture capital more generally. We are incredibly excited to see the 13 companies in this year’s global cohort. They represent the best emerging technologies in this exciting growth field,” said Pete Horsley, Founder of Remarkable. 

The accelerator, which is made possible by Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA) and Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation (CPARF), has recently expanded to now run programs in Australia and the United States so that Remarkable can better support startups from across the globe. 

This year, startups will be joining the accelerator from Australia, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. The demand for Remarkable’s global presence is also representative of the $13 trillion disability market and increased popularity of the global disabled and elderly assistive tech market, which is predicted to be worth $32 billion by 2026. 

Remarkable Head of Programs Filipa Araújo shared, “The expanding Disability Tech market is a testament to the potent convergence of societal need and technological innovation. This aligns not just with financial prospects but also with a deeper mission — driving inclusivity and enhancing quality of life for people with disabilities. Our 2023 global accelerator cohort embodies this vision, with each startup leveraging technology to positively impact people with disability and amplify human potential.” 

Remarkable US Director Molly Levitt explained, “We could not be more excited to welcome these companies into our 2023 cohort. All of them are solving some major challenges for people with disabilities and we believe that Remarkable can help ensure that people with disabilities are able to get access to these innovations quickly and affordably.”

Check out the startups completing Remarkable’s global programs this year listed in alphabetical order below:

• Aurie is building a reusable no-touch catheter system to help intermittent catheter users avoid urinary tract infections. (US)
• Enabled Play levels the playing field for people with disabilities by giving them new ways to control their technology that work for them. (US)
• Focus Bear is a routine-building and anti-distraction app for neurodiverse individuals. (AUS)
• Hominid X develops transformative assistive grasping devices to help individuals with hand disabilities to gain greater functional independence. (US)
• Indii is enabling independence for disabled and older people by unlocking the potential of the smart home. (UK)
• MEMORehab is an online platform on a mission to build better memory habits. (AUS)
• Possibility Neurotechnologies is bridging the gap between BCI and everyday life, empowering individuals to control the world around them with just their thoughts. (Canada)
• SignHow is changing the world one sign at a time. Empowering deaf people to build 300 sign languages together. (AUS)
• SpineX Inc. is a clinical-stage bioelectric MedTech company committed to delivering spinal cord neuromodulation technologies to improve the lives of people with neurological conditions. (US)
• Springrose designs adaptive intimate apparel that improves quality of life for women with limited mobility. (US)
• The Care Co teaches kids aged 5-12 mental health habits in the classroom and beyond. (AUS)
• Virtetic is empowering the prosthetics community through virtual reality. (AUS)
• XR Navigation is making Audiom: The world’s most inclusive visual, auditory, and tactile digital-only map viewer. (US)

The 16-week accelerator equips these startups with seed funding* and the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to become commercially viable businesses making a positive social impact. Through masterclasses, sprints, and deep dives, startups hone their work with personal coaches. It all culminates in pitches to more than 500 international investors, partners, and industry connections at Demo Day, which will take place on August 4,  2023, where the founders will showcase their growth, impact and goals. Follow along on social media to stay up to date with this event! 

*Startups in the Aus-based program receive $75,000 AUD worth of seed funding, which is made possible by CPA, icare**, Vivcourt, and Telstra Foundation. Startups in the US-based program receive $55,000 USD of funding, which is made possible by CPARF, the James and Pamela Griffith Family Foundation, and Aristocrat. 

**icare only provides financial support to startups based in Australia. 

ABOUT REMARKABLE
Remarkable is the startup venture arm of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation, with Australia-based support from icare NSW, Telstra Foundation, VivCourt, and TPG Telecom Foundation. 

Remarkable offers a suite of programs amplifying disability tech startups from design-athons, pre-accelerators, accelerators and more. Since 2016, over 70 startups have come through the Remarkable programs and raised more than $35 million to amplify the potential of people with disabilities around the world. 

The accelerator includes a 16-week program for startups with scalable products or service that leads to greater social or economic inclusion of people with a disability by providing seed funding, mentoring, coaching, investor networks, expertise and guidance.  For more information, visit remarkable.org

ABOUT CEREBRAL PALSY ALLIANCE (CPA)
Cerebral Palsy Alliance provides family-centered therapies, life skills programs, equipment and support for more than 6,000 people with cerebral palsy and similar conditions throughout NSW and the ACT. For more than 75 years, our priority has been to enable those living with cerebral palsy to lead the most comfortable, independent and inclusive lives possible. CPA is also the world’s largest private funder of research into prevention and treatment of cerebral palsy through the CPA Research Foundation and CPA Research Institute. For more information, visit cerebralpalsy.org.au.

ABOUT CEREBRAL PALSY ALLIANCE RESEARCH FOUNDATION (CPARF)
Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation funds US-based research to change what’s possible for people with cerebral palsy, implements proven science, and advances innovation to benefit all people with disabilities. Learn more at cparf.org.