AT Innovation and Impact Podcast with Bernard Chiira

In this episode, we're embarking on a journey through the heart of Africa to explore a world where creativity and technology meet to challenge and change our understanding of disability.

We will spotlight the incredible work of Innovate Now, Africa’s first assistive technology accelerator, and the pioneering spirits behind its success. We’ll uncover how the AT innovation ecosystem in Africa is not just evolving but also revolutionising the way assistive technologies are perceived, developed, and adopted.

Innovate Now was co-founded 2019 by the Global Disability Innovation Hub and Bernard Chiira. Over the years, Innovate Now has been supported by partnerships with GDI Hub’s AT2030 program, ICT Norway and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).

The accelerator has been instrumental in launching and supporting over 60 AT innovators and ventures through more than 600 hours of mentoring and coaching. Innovate Now operates on a model that combines expert-led learning, mentorship, and access to 'Live Labs', where products can be tested in real-world environments.

The program is designed to create fit-to-market, scalable, and investable assistive technologies from Africa​.