Funding barriers for disabled founders are some of the worst in the venture capital (VC) industry. In a 2023 Access2Funding report, the UK disability think tank found this group could be up to 400% less likely to secure investment than their counterparts.
But this grim statistic has also resulted in a number of groups looking to fuel the success of disabled founders, along with the emerging disabilitytech space. These are the VCs and accelerators creating entry points for some of the most overlooked entrepreneurs in the startup ecosystem.
2Gether-International (2GI),
2Gether-International (2GI), a leading disability nonprofit and startup accelerator run by and for entrepreneurs with disabilities. Since 2019, they have worked with founders to provide tools and guidance to strengthen pitch, network, and build community with other disabled entrepreneurs. 2GI is out to prove that disabilities are a competitive advantage in an ecosystem that demands unique ideas and perspectives.
Remarkable
Remarkable’s mission is to advance “disabilitytech” through training, capital, and networks – working to make the future of entrepreneurship more accessible, equitable, and inclusive. Founded in 2016, the Australian accelerator acts as the startup venture arm of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA) – backing startups with VC to Series A, which includes U.S. companies.
Adaptation Ventures
Known as the first angel fund dedicated to disabled founders, Adaptation Ventures aims to provide capital to early-stage startups building accessibility tech, specifically for those led by disabled founders or contributing to the broader market. Co-founded by Brittany Palmer and Rich Palmer, the couple are former startup founders, angel investors, and live with disabilities.
Difference Partners
As with many VCs om this list, Difference Partners values entrepreneurs who are dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals who operate differently. This fund has established itself as a notable funder of the disabilitytech market, inlcuding SpectrumAI, Marker Learning, AnswersNow, Kinspire, Intellispark, and Agave Health.
Samaritan Partners
The goal of Samaritan Partners is to drive positive change by funding and supporting startups that matter. What sets the firm apart is what they call “Patient capital + Conscious capitalism” approach: invest in for-profit, social good companies that serve underrepresented consumers, investing in disabilitytech startups like Wheel the World.
Enable Ventures
Enable Ventures is an early stage fund that refers to itself as the “First Impact Venture Fund, an initiative committed to closing the disability wealth gap while delivering competitive, market rate returns.” They look for startups that have “a double bottom line that drives profit and purpose in the historically underserved global disability community.”
K Ventures
Established in 2022, K Ventures is focused on the advancement of disability care. The K Ventures investment strategy focuses on early-stage tech designed to address barriers associated with learning disabilities such as autism, ADHD, down syndrome, and dyslexia. The fund is supported by the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, emphasizing the role of philanthropy in advancing disability rights.
Right Side Capital Management
Right Side Capital Management is a San Francisco firm established way back in 2010 and exclusively funds pre-seed tech startups and makes 75-100 investments per year. While their investments cast a wide net, they have been steadily moving into the DisabilityTech space with portfolio companies including Frenalytics, Parrots, and Maro (an education platform that provides students and parents with mental health resources).
StartUp Health
Founded in 2011, StartUp Health has made it their goal to “solve the greatest health challenges of our time by collaborating with mission-aligned champions and founders.” Their priority for biotech and healthtech encompasses disabilitytech solutions.
Khosla Ventures
Khosla Ventures which was launched in 2004. The firm has been heavily investing in digital health, medical tech and diagnostics, therapeutics and frontier technology. One portfolio company, Ava.me, offers a fully ADA-compliant, AI-powered live captioning platform.
To learn more about more financial opportunities, see our list of top grants for disabled founders.
About the Author: Tess Danielson is a journalist and writer focusing on the intersection of technology and society.
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