ANNOUNCEMENTS
The start-ups working in the assistive technology sector, have a high social impact but are plagued by years of philanthropy, essentially shifting the demand from a paying customer to a charity based product distribution system where the consumers are unwilling to pay for the products as they would get the products free from NGO’s, governments or foundations. In the current scenario, the companies sell their products to foundations, NGO’s and governments, not at a cost but full price including profit mark-ups, the foundations then give the product to the end consumers for free. This leads to an uncompetitive market scenario and hence, reducing innovation in the sector.
Social Alpha is enabling the start-ups in the sector through investments in product development, design for manufacturing, and work-order fulfilment, to build and sell the product at a subsidized price, essentially increasing the demand of paying customers in the sector. I completed due diligence of two start-ups for investment and executed the key events and outreach programs for the 14 other start-ups as a part of the Assistive Technology Accelerator.
Key Words: Impact Investing, Venture Capital, Assistive Technology, Start-ups, Philanthropy, Assistive Technology Accelerator
