Accelerators Network

A global community that supports the scaling of disability innovations

Connecting accelerators, foundations, and innovation hubs to coordinate efforts and back promising innovators.

Many organizations are working toward similar goals, but there is often no structured way to connect them or identify opportunities for promising innovators and investment. 

The Accelerators Network fills that gap through community building, events, research, matchmaking, and AI-powered tools to support disability innovations in reaching more people.

Representatives of different accelerators or innovation hubs from around the world are seen on the main stage at the Zero Project Conference
Accelerators and innovation hubs on the #ZeroCon26 main stage

Connected through a flexible participation model

Are you interest in joining the Accelerators Network?

Contact Małgorzata "Margaret" Grobelna, Programme Manager, Zero Project:

Get in touch

Built on reciprocal but voluntary engagement

Today, the Accelerators Network connects 22 organizations across 13 countries and 5 continents. Their time commitment is intentionally lightweight—amounting to around 5-6 hours per year—and the participation model deliberately flexible. It's designed to accommodate varying levels of engagement and organizational priorities. Members can determine their own focus areas and preferred level of involvement.

Members share what they can, from making targeted introductions and offering peer-to-peer support to sharing expertise on scaling strategies. They also help build the community and matchmaking efforts, contribute to research and a shared library of scaling knowledge and practical tools, and take part in Zero Project events worldwide.

 

What the Zero Project contributes to the Accelerators Network:

  • Gautham Devlekar of UnExcluded during a meeting with an innovator at the Tech Forum in Vienna.

    Personalised introductions, matchmaking, and coordination

  • Bernard Chiira and Archie Moberly during a Fireside Chat at ZeroCon26

    Dedicated sessions at the Zero Project Conference

  • Gidi Grinstein of TOM Global presenting at the Tech Forum Vienna 2025.

    Invitations to other Zero Project events

  • Fanny Cohen and panelists during an event at Handilab in France, which was co-organized by the Zero Project

    Promotion at events organized by Zero Project partners

  • Bernard Chiira of At4D in conversation at the Tech Forum.

    Co-creation opportunities for research and resource libraries

  • Accelerators Network meeting at #ZeroCon25: a group of around 10 people smiling into the camera.

    AI-powered engagement tools to support collaboration

Spotlighted resources

  • Pathways to Zero Barriers episode 1 cover.

    Podcast: Pathways to zero barriers

    Readiness to scale with Varun Chandak

    In this episode of Pathways to zero barriers, Varun shares his personal journey into disability innovation, what “readiness to scale” really means, and the key factors that influence whether a solution can grow—across countries, markets, and communities.

    Listen on Spotify

  • Romi Navarrette of Seedstars addressing the audience during a Zero Project Conference panel

    #ZeroCon26 session

    Accelerating and scaling up of Assistive Technology (AT)

    Some AT start-ups are receiving funding and other support from dedicated organizations like accelerators, incubators, impact investors, foundations and other supporters. In this session the funding organization present themselves and their strategies.

    Watch on YouTube

  • A screenshot of the "Scaling Innovations" publication cover

    Publication

    Scaling Innovations: Strategies that work

    24 case studies and expert comments: This new publication explores how proven innovations can grow to create a broader impact. Funded by Germany's BMZ and supported by GIZ, It was first presented at the Global Disability Summit 2025 in Berlin.

    Download PDF