Newsroom 3 min read

Hyundai Motor India Foundation Launches Samarth UnnATi to Support Assistive Technology Start-ups

By TheCSRUniverse Team Published 21 Jul 2026

Bengaluru, July 21, 2026: Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the CSR arm of Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), has partnered with AssisTech Foundation (ATF) to launch Samarth UnnATi, an Assistive Technology (AT) start-up scale-up programme under its 'Samarth by Hyundai' initiative.

The programme aims to support high-potential Assistive Technology start-ups by providing grant funding, mentorship, ecosystem partnerships, investor linkages and market access to help scale innovative solutions for persons with disabilities.

As part of the initiative, HMIF has committed ₹75 lakh in grant support to facilitate the deployment and expansion of Assistive Technology solutions. The programme seeks to bridge the gap between innovation and accessibility by enabling market-ready start-ups to reach more beneficiaries while strengthening institutional capacity and stakeholder engagement.

Samarth UnnATi is designed to identify start-ups developing innovative technologies that improve accessibility, independence and participation for persons with disabilities. In addition to financial assistance, participating start-ups will receive support through knowledge networks, capacity-building programmes and collaborations with disability welfare institutions and other ecosystem partners.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Gopalakrishnan C S, Trustee, Hyundai Motor India Foundation, said, “At Hyundai, we believe that accessibility and innovation are powerful enablers of inclusion and progress. 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 – AT start-up scale-up program is an important step towards strengthening the Assistive Technology ecosystem by supporting innovators who are developing impactful solutions to address real-world accessibility challenges. Through our partnership with AssisTech Foundation, we aim to accelerate the adoption of assistive technologies and help build a more inclusive society.”

Prateek Madhav, CEO and Co-Founder, AssisTech Foundation (ATF), said, “By 2050, the need for assistive products in the global population is estimated to increase to 3.5 billion (UNICEF Global Report on Assistive Technology). To reach this breadth, innovation cannot be a standalone phenomenon. It must be nurtured, deployed at scale and reach the people who need it the most. Samarth UnnATi is the engine that drives this, bringing together these largely disparate efforts toward a more cohesive approach.”

According to HMIF, the initiative reinforces its commitment to promoting accessibility, inclusion and equal opportunities by helping Assistive Technology innovations reach communities and individuals who need them most.