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 a fit to market, scalable, and investable assistive technologies from Africa​.

#AT2030Programme, #GDIHub

In this episode , we speak to Ben Hardman, GDIHub's Head of Innovation Ecosystems. The episode focuses on how the innovation ecosystem is changing globally.

Ben is a designer and engineer with 20 years’ experience of bringing innovation to market across a variety of sectors and domains such as consumer electronics, sports technology, mobility, retail, social housing, financial inclusion, and assistive technology.

Ben’s passion is in applying design thinking to address human, technical and business challenges – all in the pursuit of upgrading the world!

#AT2030Programme, #GDIHub #InnovateNow

Welcome to the AT Innovation and Impact podcast, where we dive deep into the assistive technology innovations transforming lives.

This series is brought to you by the Global Disability Innovation Hub’s flagship #AT2030Programme and is funded by UKAid.

In this episode, we have one of the pioneering AT innovators from the Innovate Now program who has spearheaded AT innovation and disability inclusion across Africa and beyond. Brian, the founder and CEO of HopeTech, is a visionary who believes a healthy society is one where everyone participates in everyday activities regardless of their challenges.

Brian was part of the first cohort of Innovate Now which was launched in 2019 as part of the, UK Aid funded, hashtag

#AT2030Programme, led by Global Disability Innovation Hub, and partners led by Bernard Chiira.