Perkins Howe Innovation Center, the innovation hub of Perkins School for the Blind, has partnered with Adaptation Ventures to create a new pipeline that connects DisabilityTech founders to early-stage investors, aiming to speed the development and adoption of accessible products and services.
The collaboration is designed to address what both organizations describe as a persistent market gap: “first money in” funding for DisabilityTech startups. Under the arrangement, Perkins will leverage its network across the disability community and startup ecosystem to identify and refer high-potential companies, while Adaptation Ventures—a pre-seed fund focused exclusively on DisabilityTech—will provide early capital, strategic guidance, and access to investor networks.
Perkins framed the effort as a response to growing investor interest in DisabilityTech that has not fully translated into easier early fundraising for founders. The announcement also follows Perkins’ recent market research report, “Defining DisabilityTech, Volume II: The Accessible Innovation Opportunity,” which the organization said was unveiled earlier this month at the Consumer Electronics Show. Perkins said the report points to rising early-stage DisabilityTech investment from $818 million in 2022 to $1.1 billion in 2024, while arguing that early capital remains the biggest bottleneck for founders and that accessibility must be incorporated early as AI becomes more foundational across products and services.
Adaptation Ventures said the partnership will help it connect earlier with founders working on real-world accessibility challenges, while Perkins said the structured relationship will make it easier to move early funding into the sector and help startups reach critical early milestones.
Perkins School for the Blind, founded nearly 200 years ago, operates education programs for children and young adults with disabilities and visual impairments and also works globally through teacher training and education initiatives. Adaptation Ventures focuses on pre-seed investments in disability, neurodivergence, and accessibility, and said its approach includes smaller investment minimums to broaden participation among investors.
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“Investment in DisabilityTech companies is growing, but access to ‘first money in’ remains a barrier for founders. Innovation doesn’t happen without resources. By formalizing this strategic relationship with Adaptation Ventures, we can help move more early capital into the sector and support companies at the moment it matters most.”
Sandy K. Lacey, Executive Director, Perkins Howe Innovation Center
“Working closely with the Perkins Howe Innovation Center allows us to engage earlier and more meaningfully with founders who are solving real accessibility challenges. Perkins’ longstanding leadership in disability innovation makes them a natural collaborator as we work to ensure early investments translate into meaningful impact.”
Brittany Palmer, Managing Partner, Adaptation Ventures
