AI & ICT For Inclusive Innovation Programm
Hack For Inclusion
Build the Tech. Unlock the work.
Join a three-day hackathon, 7th to 9th January 2027, bringing together innovators to co-create AI-powered assistive technology solutions.
Young persons with disabilities, especially young women, are strongly encouraged to apply
Nairobi and its Environs
Ages 21 to 25
Apply as a team of four/ individually and get merged to a team
Applications Closes 4 Dec 2026
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
The AI & ICT for Inclusive Innovation Program implemented by Qhala Trust in partnership with AT4D and supported by the Mastercard Foundation aims to use ICT and AI-driven innovations to create a more inclusive society for Young Persons with Disabilities by advancing their access to entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in the digital economy. The programe aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, focusing on skills development for employment and entrepreneurship. It aims to contribute to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 by leveraging technology and innovation for socio-economic advancement.
Hack for Inclusion is an entry point to the innovation track of the AI & ICT for Inclusive Innovation Program. 20 teams of 4 will spend three days building or adapting AI-powered assistive digital solutions, with training and mentorship on hand. Five teams then move into a six-month incubation at ATD, to turn their prototype into a tested, market-ready solution and a venture of their own.
THE PROBLEM AND THE CHALLENGE
PROBLEM
Limited access to digital tools and devices hinders Young Persons with Disabilities from learning, working and innovating in the digital economy.
CHALLENGE
Develop new or adapt existing assistive technologies that address these gaps.
WHAT YOU WILL BUILD
Teams build AI-powered solutions in one of four areas. Each one answers a barrier identified in our research with young persons with disabilities in Nairobi.
Accessible work tools
Tools that help persons with vision, hearing, mobility or cognitive disabilities use computers and phones for work.
Inclusive digital learning
Tools that make digital skills training accessible to learners with different disabilities.
Access to jobs
Tools that connect young persons with disabilities to jobs, gigs and remote work, and make hiring more inclusive.
Disability-led enterprise
Tools that help entrepreneurs with disabilities start, run and grow a business in the digital economy.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
We are looking for people building Inclusive Assistive Tech solutions.
Aged 21 to 35
At the time of application
Nairobi
Resident in Nairobi or its environs and able to attend the three-day in-person hackathon
Team or individual
Apply as a team of four/individually and get matched to a team
Open to
- Young innovators with or without disabilities
- Students and recent graduates of universities, colleges and TVETs
- Developers, designers and tech enthusiasts with skills in software, AI, UI/UX or hardware
- Early-stage assistive tech startups building disability-inclusive solutions
- A demonstrated interest in technology, innovation and inclusive solutions, shown through study or project experience
THE TO FIVE TEAMS RECEIVE
Upto KES 1,000,000
Receive non-cash support valued at up to KES 1 million towards solution development and validation.
- Selected participants will be onboarded into AT4D's six month incubation program ending in Demo Day
- Mentorship and technical support from experts in user research, product, business and market development
- Live Labs user testing with persons with disabilities, so your solution is shaped by the people who will use it
- Accessible digital tools and devices for team members with disabilities, which they keep after the programme
- Accessible co-working space at AT4D offices
- Investor readiness and a Demo Day in front of investors, employers, partners and accelerators
- A place in the AT4D alumni community with ongoing links to funders and support networks
Every hackathon participant receives a certificate of participation from AT4D and three days of training, mentorship and connections, whether or not their team is selected.
FROM APPLICATION TO INCUBATION
Apply.
Apply as a team (each member submits an application using the same team name) or apply individually to get matched to a team.
Shortlisting and interviews.
All applications will be assessed against the eligibility criteria. Shortlisted applicants will be invited via email to participate in the three-day hackathon.
Hack for Inclusion.
Three days in person in Nairobi, 7th to 9th January 2027.
Day 1: Get introduced to basics on Assistive Technology, Introduction to the Hackathon Themes, User centred design thinking, problem validation and Ideation, rapid prototyping.
Day 2: Continued rapid prototyping and mentorship on business basics.
Day 3: Finalise, pitch to judges, selection of the top five teams and issuing of certificates.
Incubation.
The five selected teams will be onboarded to the AT4D incubation program for six months ending with a Demo Day
How teams are judged
Teams will be judged on the solution’s relevance and impact for persons with disabilities, innovation, feasibility, user-centred design, use of AI or accessible technology, scalability, execution capacity, pitch quality and collaboration. Preference will be given to young innovators with disabilities, women, and sustainable solutions aligned with digital inclusion in employment and entrepreneurship.
HOW TO APPLY
Application form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/YTeSBsC9rF (opens Microsoft Forms)
Applications close: 4 December 2026
If you need the application form in another format, or need support to complete it, email communication@at4d.org and we will arrange it.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is the KES 1,000,000 a cash prize?
No. The amount is not awarded as a cash prize or direct grant. Selected teams can access up to KES 1,000,000 in programme-managed support to implement activities across user development, product design, market access and business development. Funds are managed by the programme and allocated to approved activities linked to milestone completion, helping teams test, refine and prepare their solutions for launch or scale.
Do I need a disability to apply?
Do I need to be a coder?
Can I apply from outside Nairobi?
Is the hackathon accessible?
Does it cost anything?
Is the certificate an academic qualification?
ACCESSIBILITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. If you need any reasonable accommodation to apply, to attend the hackathon or to take part in the programme, such as the application form in another format, sign language interpretation, accessible transport or personal assistance, email communication@at4d.org. Requests are handled in confidence and do not affect your application.
DELIVERED BY
Qhala Trust
Qhala Trust specialises in user research, innovation and technology, including the organisation of hackathons and the incubation of startups across sectors, and in connecting young people to work in the digital economy.
AT4D
AT4D (Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust) supports innovators to ideate, develop, launch and scale assistive technology products, and has run Africa’s first assistive technology accelerator, Innovate Now, for six years.
The AI & ICT for Inclusive Innovation Program is implemented by Qhala Trust in partnership with AT4D and supported by the Mastercard Foundation.
AI & ICT for Inclusive Innovation Program
In partnership with
READY TO BUILD?
Form your team and apply today.
Questions: communication@at4d.org