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Perkins and Adaptation Ventures: Pioneering a New Era in DisabilityTech Investment

In a groundbreaking announcement today, the Perkins Howe Innovation Center revealed a strategic partnership with Adaptation Ventures, aimed at revolutionizing investment in DisabilityTech. This collaboration seeks to tackle the historical challenges faced by the disability community in accessing funding for innovative products and services designed to enhance their quality of life.

Collaboration Overview

As the need for accessible solutions grows, both Perkins and Adaptation Ventures recognize that early financial support is crucial for the success of DisabilityTech innovators. Sandy K. Lacey, the Executive Director of the Perkins Howe Innovation Center, emphasized, "Investment in DisabilityTech companies is expanding, yet the lack of initial funding remains a significant hurdle for founders. By formalizing our collaboration with Adaptation Ventures, we aim to channel critical early capital into this sector, supporting startups right when they need it most."

The innovative partnership will leverage Perkins' deep connections in both the disability community and the startup ecosystem, allowing them to identify high-potential DisabilityTech companies and guide them towards accessible funding sources. Meanwhile, Adaptation Ventures, known for its commitment to early-stage investments in DisabilityTech, will provide founders with essential capital, strategic direction, and connections to investors.

Brittany Palmer, Managing Partner at Adaptation Ventures, added, "Collaborating with Perkins enables us to form meaningful engagements with founders addressing real accessibility challenges. Their expertise in disability innovation makes them an ideal partner as we strive to translate early investments into substantial impacts."

Market Research Insights

This partnership comes on the heels of Perkins' latest market research report, "Defining DisabilityTech, Volume II: The Accessible Innovation Opportunity." Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show, this research highlights the sector's growth and evolving trends. Key findings include:

1. A Breakthrough Phase for DisabilityTech: Investment in early-stage DisabilityTech has surged from $818 million in 2022 to $1.1 billion in 2024, indicating a significant increase in mainstream traction.
2. Initial Capital as a Limiting Factor: Despite this growth, founders consistently cite securing 'first-money-in' as a primary obstacle to progress.
3. The Imperative of AI Accessibility: As artificial intelligence becomes central to technological advancements, incorporating accessibility at the foundational level is essential to prevent widespread exclusion.

Goals and Future Aspirations

The collaboration between Perkins and Adaptation Ventures aims to drive new investment into the DisabilityTech space, nurture emerging entrepreneurs, and minimize barriers that impede the journey from concept to market impact. Their dual approach of aligning resources with innovative ideas ensures that accessible products and services are developed to serve the estimated 1 in 4 individuals globally living with disabilities.

About Perkins and Adaptation Ventures

The Perkins Howe Innovation Center is celebrated as a leading force in accessibility, recognized on the Forbes Accessibility 100 list. It serves as a platform for entrepreneurs and the disability community to devise solutions for real-world accessibility challenges.

On the other hand, Adaptation Ventures stands out as a pioneering pre-seed fund dedicated to advancing technological innovations that address disabilities. With a focus on mission-driven founders, Adaptation is empowering entrepreneurs who seek to create scalable solutions for nearly two billion individuals with disabilities worldwide.

The partnership signifies a pivotal moment for DisabilityTech, promising a more inclusive future characterized by innovative solutions aimed at overcoming daily challenges faced by people with disabilities. As both organizations continue to foster connections between investors and founders, the potential for transformative changes in the DisabilityTech landscape appears limitless.