Bengaluru, Sep 04: AssisTech Foundation, India’s pioneering Assistive Technology ecosystem enabler, today announced the 6th Edition of the ATF Awards 2026, inviting Assistive Technology startups, government institutions, corporates, investors, educational institutions and NGOs to participate and showcase innovations and initiatives driving greater inclusion for Persons with Disabilities. Applications for the awards are now open and will close on 21st September 2026, and the winners will be announced at the ATF Awards 2026 on December 1, 2026, in Bangalore.
The ATF Awards are India’s only national recognition platform dedicated to Assistive Technology, created to bring visibility to innovators and organisations that use technology to improve learning, livelihoods, and living with dignity for PwDs. Unlike conventional startup awards, the ATF Awards recognise not only the innovators developing solutions but also the wider ecosystem of government, corporates, CSR organisations, investors, academia and NGOs that enables these solutions to reach communities and create meaningful impact.
Commenting on this, Prateek Madhav, CEO & Co-Founder, AssisTech Foundation, said,
“For the last five years, the ATF Awards have always been about recognising the people who are solving problems that often remain invisible to the mainstream innovation ecosystem. AT needs more than good ideas. It needs investment, research, policy support, partnerships and access to the communities it is intended to serve. Through the 6th Edition of the ATF Awards, we want to bring these innovators and enablers into the spotlight and create opportunities for their work to be recognised, connected and scaled.”
The ATF Awards 2026 will recognise excellence across three broad categories, namely: Emerging Startups, Established Startups and Enablers, with a total of 10 awards. The categories are: Emerging Start-up – Best AT Start-up for Innovation; Established Start-up – Most Impactful AT Start-up; Established Start-up – Best AT Start-up; Established Start-up – Women Ahead; Established Start-up – Best AT Start-up; Enablers – NGO, Government, Education Institute, CSR Initiatives; and Enablers – For Investors. Details on the eligibility criteria and application process are available through this link: https://atflabs.org/atf-awards-2026/.
Following the close of applications, entries will undergo a structured screening and evaluation process, followed by jury evaluation and selection of finalists. Finalists will be announced in the first week of November. The winners will subsequently be announced at the ATF Awards ceremony on December 1, 2026.
Over the years, the awards have demonstrated the growing depth of India’s AT ecosystem. In 2025, ATF received 100+ startup applications from 15 cities, with solutions spanning 15 types of disabilities. More than 8000 voters participated in the People’s Choice voting process, while 50+ applications were received from AT enablers including NGOs, government departments, educational institutions and investors. With the 6th Edition of the ATF Awards, AssisTech Foundation aims to further strengthen the position of Assistive Technology within India’s innovation landscape and create greater visibility, connections and opportunities for those working to make technology more accessible and inclusive.