This program is for startups building solutions that help people with disabilities, including hardware, software or service-based innovations. To be eligible, you must have a minimal viable product, must have validated the problem, and must demonstrate co-creation with the disability community.
Mobility
Vision
Hearing
Cognition
Neurodiversity
Mental Health
Aging
Rehabilitation
Entrepreneur Benefits
Funding
Receive unrestricted cash grants totalling over $50,000.
In-kind Support
Receive pro-bono support from scientists, lawyers and experts totalling over $100,000.
Global Network
Access a global network of disability organizations, healthcare ecosystems and corporate partners to open doors faster.
Unique Programming
Get answers to the tough questions through masterclasses on inclusive design, customer acquisition, fundraising and more - all specifically for accessibility tech.
Advisors
Connect with hundreds of successful accessibility entrepreneurs, innovators, disability leaders and corporate representatives around the world.
Community
Find your people - other accessibility entrepreneurs just as passionate as you - to learn from them, celebrate with them, and grow with them.
Search Alumni
Explore our portfolio of accessibility tech startups from 6 countries building everything from braille pads to brain computer interfaces.
For startups that help provide autonomy of movement that allows people to be actively independent, such as for commuting, exercising or travelling. Offered in partnership with the Toyota Mobility Foundation.
Digital Equity Stream
For startups that help with digital equity for people with disabilities, such as by making existing digital experiences accessible, creating new accessible digital experiences, or helping access the digital world through assistive technology. Offered in partnership with HP.
General Stream
For all startups building innovations for people with disabilities, including in the areas of mobility, vision, hearing, cognition, neurodiversity, mental health, aging, rehabilitation, and other related areas.
Demo Day
Each cohort culminates with our annual Demo Day - a celebration of the growth and success of our startups. The graduating class pitches to a panel of judges for cash prizes and bragging rights, with a few hundred people attending in person and online. Attendees include investors, funders, entrepreneurs, disability leaders, corporate representatives and accessibility advocates from around the world. The 2025 Demo Day will take place in November.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2025 intake are now open!
Register for our upcoming info session on May 16 , 12 pm to 1 pm EST to learn more about the program, hear directly from ATS’s alumni about their experiences, and get answers to your questions. The application period will run through June 2025 and decisions will be communicated in July. The program will begin in August 2025.
Accessibility startups include any startups that offer solutions for people with disabilities, including hardware products, software products or services.
B2B startups are also welcome to apply if the end product is meant to benefit people with disabilities.
Disability includes all physical, mental health, cognitive, intellectual and developmental disabilities.
If you’re still unsure, please reach out to us and we’ll be happy to chat!
The 2025 cohort will run from August to November 2025.
Most sessions will be on Thursdays and Friday mornings (EST), with 2-4 sessions per week on average. All sessions will be virtual, with limited optional in-person programming.
If accepted into the program, we strongly recommend attending the Demo Day in person in Toronto.
Most sessions will be on Thursdays and Friday mornings (EST), with 2-4 sessions per week on average. All sessions will be virtual, with limited optional in-person programming.
If accepted into the program, we strongly recommend attending the Demo Day in person in Toronto.
Absolutely! As a not-for-profit working towards disability inclusion, we are committed to creating an accessible experience for everyone. All sessions will have automatic live captioning. Sessions will either be short, or will have plenty of breaks in between. Zoom fatigue is real, so most weeks will have no more than four sessions. Since all programming is virtual, you can attend everything from the comfort of your own home or workplace.
If there is anything else we can do to make the accelerator more accessible for you, we encourage you to let us know!
Not at all! The benefit of doing a virtual accelerator is that any startup anywhere in the world can participate. The sessions will however take place during EST daytime hours.
While the accelerator is intended for for-profit startups, we review each application on a case by case basis. If you represent a not-for-profit organization, please reach out to us with a description of your work before applying.
No, we do not charge anything and we do not take any equity.
