Startup India: Participate in the CovidAbility Challenge to build ATS for PwD; Apply by Nov 30

As the Covid-19 Pandemic poses one of the biggest human challenges, it is especially hard for people with disabilities. The present times have multiplied the different challenges people on wheelchair, blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, locomotor disabilities and other special needs such as autistic, learning disability to name a few, face. Thus, Startup India, along with BillionAbles is organizing a global call to find and support innovators and entrepreneurs working on Assistive technology solutions to solve some of the pressing problems the Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) face in this current situation. The focus will be to find a probable and unique solution to the problems and difficulties PwDs face.

CovidAbility is in line with the SDGs principles to leave no one behind; Innovators are also free to address the needs of people with different forms of disability. E.g. physical, sensory, psychiatric, neurological, cognitive and intellectual or multiple disabilities etc. BillionAbles has designed this idea challenge for the innovators who are willing to learn and grow as well as create something innovative for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to deal with the challenges they are facing in this Covid-19 era.

The theme, as announced by Startup India are

MOBILITY: Solutions that promote safe and independent movement. E.g. Self sanitizing wheels/rubber for people using a wheelchair, Automatic devices for sanitizing hands for people with limited upper limb movements.

HEALTH: Solutions that promote easy and affordable healthcare access. E.g. Availability of accessible isolation wards/quarantine centres with accessible washroom, beds, tactile, virtual sign language interpreter, and personal caretaker.

EDUCATION: Solutions that promote e-learning especially for the Blind and Deaf Community. E.g. Conversion of available audio/video educational content in sign language by virtual/animated sign language interpreter.

SKILLS & EMPLOYMENT: Solutions that promote to learn new skills & increase employment. E.g. Software to read the text while sharing screen during video conferencing for blind users.

SAFETY & SECURITY: Solutions that promote security & safety in public places, transport etc. E.g. Social distancing solutions for limiting human interaction and transmission while getting support from people for crossing road, asking for directions, boarding public transport, having food in public places etc.

You can also build whatever you want and get creative.

Rewards

The winners of the program will get AWS Business Support. They will also receive free access to the AWS Essentials & AWS Business Essentials, Google Cloud and Firebase Credits, Transactional SMS/month (OTP, alerts and the likes). Further, they will receive physical Incubation at Technology Business Incubator, Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology and access to Labs (3d Printing, AI, IoT, AR/VR, PTC, Mercedes)

Moreover, winning startups will get financial support through grant, funding or crowdfunding. Also, they will get business strategy support and mentorship through assistive technology incubator, and guidance for the development of Assistive technology and devices through Assistive technology lab.

How to participate?

You can participate through the Startup India portal. It will be a virtual competition where people can participate individually or in groups of 2-4 members. It may be an individual, a group of people, a team, or a startup, a company or organization. On the Startup India platform, you can find the link here.

To know more about the program, visit the official website of Billionables.