Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the corporate social responsibility arm of Hyundai Motor India Ltd, has partnered with AssisTech Foundation (ATF) to launch Samarth UnnATi, a startup scale-up programme aimed at accelerating innovation and adoption of assistive technologies in India.
The initiative, launched under HMIF’s ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ programme, will support high-potential startups developing assistive technology (AT) solutions by providing funding, mentorship, market access and investor connect to help them expand their reach and impact.
₹75 lakh grant support
As part of the programme, HMIF has earmarked ₹75 lakh in grant support to help startups commercialise and scale innovative assistive technology solutions that improve accessibility and independence for persons with disabilities.
The funding will also facilitate deployment of market-ready products, strengthen institutional capacity and deepen engagement with disability welfare organisations and government stakeholders.
Supporting innovation for inclusion
The programme aims to bridge the gap between innovation and accessibility by nurturing startups that have already developed viable products but require support to scale operations and reach larger communities.
Selected startups will receive capacity-building support, access to knowledge networks, mentorship from industry experts, ecosystem partnerships and investor linkages to accelerate business growth.
Hyundai said the initiative aligns with its global vision of creating a more inclusive society through technology-led innovation.
Growing need for assistive technologies
The programme comes at a time when demand for assistive technologies is expected to rise sharply worldwide. According to estimates cited by AssisTech Foundation, nearly 3.5 billion people globally may require assistive products by 2050, highlighting the need for scalable and affordable innovations.
By supporting startups working in this space, Hyundai aims to strengthen India’s assistive technology ecosystem while promoting greater accessibility and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Accessibility and innovation are key
Hyundai Motor India Foundation Trustee Gopalakrishnan C S said accessibility and innovation are key drivers of inclusion.
“Through ‘Samarth by Hyundai’, we are committed to creating opportunities that empower persons with disabilities to participate more independently and confidently in society. The Samarth UnnATi programme is an important step towards strengthening the assistive technology ecosystem by supporting innovators developing impactful solutions to address real-world accessibility challenges,” he said.
AssisTech Foundation CEO & Co-Founder Prateek Madhav said innovation must be nurtured and deployed at scale to address the rapidly growing need for assistive products.
“Samarth UnnATi brings together fragmented efforts into a more cohesive ecosystem that enables innovative solutions to reach the people who need them the most,” he said.
The launch reinforces Hyundai Motor India’s broader ‘Progress for Humanity’ vision, with the company focusing on technology, partnerships and innovation to build a more accessible and equitable society for people with disabilities.