Dreaming, Daring, Doing: How Africa’s First Assistive Tech Fund Was Born at Skoll
About the session
In 2025, a sudden contraction in global donor funding sent shockwaves through the social sector, forcing urgent questions about sustainability, power, and new models of impact.
A bold idea sparked in the sidelines of the Skoll World Forum delegagate-led session is now taking shape.
Join this interactive session to explore how African, disability-led change makers are piloting a new model for Aceelerating & investing assistive technology startups. Join us to learn about Africa's budding assistive tech startup ecosystem and the most ambitious innovative financing models in the making.
This 90-minute interactive session traces how that vision evolved from ambitions of Africa's 1st assistive tech accelerator and a delegate-led Skoll conversation into the launch of the Momentous Fund Pilot. Developed through a partnership between AT4D and the Judith Neilson Foundation.
Through story, dialogue, and practical insights, the session will explore why this model matters now, what the pilot is testing, who is shaping it, and what it will take to scale this next frontier of inclusive impact investing.
Who this is for
This session is for philanthropic funders, impact investors, family offices, DFIs, corporate partners, and ecosystem leaders interested in inclusive innovation, localization of capital, and frontier impact investing.
What you will get out of it
The origin story, early lessons, and emerging investment model behind the Momentous Fund Pilot
Insight into how disability-led, African-anchored funds can unlock sustainable markets for assistive technology
Perspectives from leaders building new models of inclusive impact investing
Opportunities to engage in shaping and scaling this approach
This session will combine a fireside conversation hosted by Bernard Chiira, and partners from AT4D and the Judith Neilson Foundation, followed by a facilitated discussion with participants.
Call to action
Join the momentum. Engage as a co-architect, investor, partner, or champion in building the next generation of disability-led venture funds and helping transform assistive technology in Africa into a sustainable, investable impact economy.