AssisTech Foundation & Bajaj Finserv CSR Launch Fellowship for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
The programme aims to help founders strengthen early-stage ideas and build viable, sustainable, and scalable ventures.
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AssisTech Foundation (ATF), an ecosystem enabler for Assistive Technology, in partnership with Bajaj Finserv under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, has announced the start of the first cohort of imaginATe, a flagship fellowship aimed at supporting and enabling entrepreneurs with disabilities.
According to the partnership announcement, the initiative is jointly designed by ATF and Bajaj Finserv. “imaginATe” is a structured fellowship designed to enable entrepreneurs with disabilities through mentorship, capacity-building, ecosystem access, and sustained, long-term support. The programme aims to help founders strengthen early-stage ideas and build viable, sustainable, and scalable ventures.
The fellowship was opened to applications in the month of December and received more than 100 entries from across India. Following a screening process, 17 shortlisted candidates representing a diverse range of disabilities progressed to a two-day jury evaluation, conducted across two independent panels.
The jury panel consisted of industry professionals, DEI practitioners, corporate leaders, and persons with disabilities. 10 fellows have been selected for the inaugural cohort.
Prateek Madhav, Co-Founder & CEO, AssisTech Foundation (ATF) said, “Entrepreneurs with disabilities bring deep lived experience, resilience, and innovation to the table, yet they often face barriers in access, mentorship, and visibility. imaginATe is designed to address these gaps in a meaningful, sustained way. The diversity and quality of ideas in this inaugural cohort reinforces our belief that inclusive entrepreneurship is not charity- it is smart, future-facing nation-building.”
Kurush Irani, President – Group CSR, Bajaj Finserv, added, “The passion and ideas of our first imaginATe cohort give us full confidence in their progress. By providing the right training and resources, we are providing them with a path to lead the way in building impactful, sustainable businesses. Best wishes to each of them as they take their solutions forward.”
According to a press release, the imaginATe fellowship will offer structured mentorship, expert-led learning sessions, access to assistive technologies, ecosystem exposure, and post-fellowship support, enabling fellows to strengthen their ventures and scale their impact.
AssisTech Foundation (ATF), an ecosystem enabler for Assistive Technology, in partnership with Bajaj Finserv under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, has announced the start of the first cohort of imaginATe, a flagship fellowship aimed at supporting and enabling entrepreneurs with disabilities.
According to the partnership announcement, the initiative is jointly designed by ATF and Bajaj Finserv. “imaginATe” is a structured fellowship designed to enable entrepreneurs with disabilities through mentorship, capacity-building, ecosystem access, and sustained, long-term support. The programme aims to help founders strengthen early-stage ideas and build viable, sustainable, and scalable ventures.
The fellowship was opened to applications in the month of December and received more than 100 entries from across India. Following a screening process, 17 shortlisted candidates representing a diverse range of disabilities progressed to a two-day jury evaluation, conducted across two independent panels.
