African startups and social enterprises with assistive tech solutions can apply and get up to $325k from GSMA Innovation Fund. The GSMA Innovation Fund for Assistive Tech (“the Fund”) supports innovative start-ups, small to medium enterprises, or social enterprises (which must be revenue generating and commercially focused) in low- and middle-income countries across Africa and Asia to achieve sustainable growth and improved socio-economic impact.

“Digital assistive technologies, particularly mobile-based ATs, have the potential to be a valuable and cost-effective tool for people with disabilities. This fund aims to support innovators of digital ATs and projects that advance the digital inclusion of people with disabilities and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” the GSMA said. “Funded projects will focus on reducing the gap in access and usage of mobile-enabled products or services, and will look to demonstrate commercially sustainable models that can be scaled and replicated in similar markets.”

Here Is What You Need To Know

• The GSMA Innovation Fund for Assistive Tech is supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. 

The objective of the Fund is to support solutions which address one or more of the following barriers to drive the digital inclusion of people with disabilities:

• Access — increasing accessibility and usability of mobile technology to increase access to services for people with disabilities.
• Affordability — improving the affordability of handsets or mobile phones and usage fees for people with disabilities.
• Relevance — ensuring availability of content, products and services that are relevant to, and meet the needs of, people with disabilities.
• Knowledge and skills — providing people with disabilities with the knowledge and skills required to access and use mobile services, as well as increasing awareness and understanding of the benefits of mobile technology.
• Safety and Security — addressing harassment, theft, fraud and security concerns of people with disabilities who want to use mobile services and/or building trust in these services.

African Startups Invited To Apply And Get Up To $325,000 From The GSMA Innovation Fund

African startups and social enterprises with assistive tech solutions can apply and get up to $325k from GSMA Innovation Fund. The GSMA Innovation Fund for Assistive Tech (“the Fund”) supports innovative start-ups, small to medium enterprises, or social enterprises (which must be revenue generating and commercially focused) in low- and middle-income countries across Africa and Asia to achieve sustainable growth and improved socio-economic impact.

“Digital assistive technologies, particularly mobile-based ATs, have the potential to be a valuable and cost-effective tool for people with disabilities. This fund aims to support innovators of digital ATs and projects that advance the digital inclusion of people with disabilities and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” the GSMA said. “Funded projects will focus on reducing the gap in access and usage of mobile-enabled products or services, and will look to demonstrate commercially sustainable models that can be scaled and replicated in similar markets.”

Here Is What You Need To Know

• The GSMA Innovation Fund for Assistive Tech is supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. 

The objective of the Fund is to support solutions which address one or more of the following barriers to drive the digital inclusion of people with disabilities:

• Access — increasing accessibility and usability of mobile technology to increase access to services for people with disabilities.
• Affordability — improving the affordability of handsets or mobile phones and usage fees for people with disabilities.
• Relevance — ensuring availability of content, products and services that are relevant to, and meet the needs of, people with disabilities.
• Knowledge and skills — providing people with disabilities with the knowledge and skills required to access and use mobile services, as well as increasing awareness and understanding of the benefits of mobile technology.
• Safety and Security — addressing harassment, theft, fraud and security concerns of people with disabilities who want to use mobile services and/or building trust in these services.

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What Startups Stand To Get From The Fund

According to GSMA, successful projects gets an equity-free grant of between GBP100,000 (US$130,000) and GBP250,000 (US$325,000) to scale their innovation over a 15- to 18-month period. 

For more questions and answers, click here. 

How To Apply

Applications are open until 23:59 BST on Friday, 16 October. Interested parties can apply here.

The Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) for this funding round set out the objectives of the Fund, the type of organisations the Fund is looking to support, and the eligibility criteria for applying for funding. They are available here.

What Startups Stand To Get From The Fund

According to GSMA, successful projects gets an equity-free grant of between GBP100,000 (US$130,000) and GBP250,000 (US$325,000) to scale their innovation over a 15- to 18-month period. 

For more questions and answers, click here. 

How To Apply

Applications are open until 23:59 BST on Friday, 16 October. Interested persons can apply here.

The Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) for this funding round set out the objectives of the Fund, the type of organisations the Fund is looking to support, and the eligibility criteria for applying for funding. They are available here.

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer