India

AssiStart: Indo-Swiss Assistive Technologies Week 2025

Swiss startups have the unique opportunity to explore and expand into the dynamic Indian market while contributing to global advancements in assistive technologies. AssiStart: Indo-Swiss Assistive Technology Week 2025 seeks to foster cooperation between Switzerland and India, leveraging Swiss innovation and expertise in assistive technology to address the growing needs of diverse populations in both countries. Startup Camp is powered by Innosuisse and managed by Swissnex.

The Plan
The programme will take place over one week on-site in India between September and early October 2025. The exact dates will be announced soon. Prior to the on-site week, virtual sessions will be held to ensure a smooth experience and thorough preparation for the participants. The overall programme includes the following components:

  • Preparatory Activities:
    • Engage in online modules and discussions with Swissnex coaches four to six weeks before the on-site visit to India.
    • Develop clear milestones for an impactful engagement during the on-site week.
  • Orientation & Sector Immersion:
    • Gain in-depth insights into India’s assistive technology landscape and market dynamics through group sessions and workshops.
  • Strategic Meetings:
    • Participate in five to six tailored bilateral meetings with relevant actors in the field of assistive technology in India.
    • Receive support through briefing and debriefing sessions with a Swissnex coach to fine-tune your approach.
  • Visibility:
    • Present your innovations to around 400 ecosystem players at a dedicated conference in India.
  • Post-Visit Support:
    • Receive 15 days of follow-up assistance to help you capitalise on the connections and opportunities created during the programme.

Why India?

  • Vast Market Potential: India’s growing population, particularly its ageing demographic, represents a significant market for assistive technologies. With over 26 million disabled individuals and a large percentage of elderly, the demand for innovative solutions is on the rise.
  • Diverse Needs: India’s vast diversity across socioeconomic classes, urban and rural populations and cultural contexts provides an environment to test and adapt assistive technologies for various user groups. This diversity allows Swiss startups to fine-tune their products for both Indian and global markets.
  • Government Support: The Government of India has highlighted inclusivity and accessibility as a focus area, launching 16 initiatives to empower persons with disabilities through assistive technology. The RPwD Act of 2016 also provides financial assistance to institutions for disability services, making India the ideal setting for Swiss startups looking for financial or policy-level support.
  • Innovation & Frugal Engineering: India has seen remarkable innovations in assistive technologies through companies like JaipurFoot and SmartCane, providing a foundation for collaborative development. Swiss startups can leverage India’s strength in frugal engineering, mass production, and market insights to scale their solutions affordably.
  • Collaborative Opportunities: Indian tech giants like Infosys, Wipro and Capgemini are increasingly adopting assistive technologies, especially in sectors such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Leveraging Swissnex in India’s network of Indian partners will open doors to new business models and provide the right environment for market testing and product refinement.

Who Can Apply

Startups headquartered in Switzerland and incorporated within the last five years are eligible to apply.

We encourage applications from early-stage to growth-stage startups that have developed a late-stage prototype and are ready for market validation.

  • Target Areas of Interest: We welcome applications from startups working on innovative solutions in the following areas:
    • Mobility Aids (wheelchairs, prosthetics, etc.)
    • Sensory Assistance (hearing, vision aids, etc.)
    • Cognitive Aids (tools for mental health, learning disabilities, etc.)
    • HealthTech Solutions for disabilities
    • Communication and Accessibility Tools
    • Technologies for Ageing Populations
    • Inclusive Tech for Urban and Rural Settings
    • AI-driven Assistive Devices
    • IoT Solutions for Independence and Autonomy
  • Additional Considerations:
    • Startups currently participating in the Innosuisse Coaching Program are strongly encouraged to apply.

To register your interest, fill out this form. The deadline is 30 April. For any questions or clarifications, please contact the Innovation team. Their details can be found below.

By participating in AssiStart: Indo-Swiss Assistive Technology Week 2025, Swiss startups can enhance their market presence, forge valuable partnerships with Indian industry leaders, and contribute to the global evolution of assistive technologies.

Testimonials

    The Market Validation Camp in India has been a great experience. The support and engagement of the Swissnex team has been very helpful in order to better shape our understanding of the Indian market. We have significantly improved our understanding of the insurance/regulatory environment in India as well as of our go-to market approach. We have established a series of leads and deal-flows in the insurance ecosystem and have become members of the Insurtech Association of India (IIA). We have also engaged with the regulatory body Insurance Regulation and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) as well as the National Insurance Association (NIA), and we plan to enter the Indian market with our parametric solution.

    Thomas Krapf Riskwolf

    As always, the Swissnex team is excellent at picking out the pain points for their startups and at helping address them. It is tremendously helpful that the team is ‘on-the-ground’ in the target markets and that their knowledge and networks are so extensive. India is a key spot in the world to improve preterm health, therefore the Market Validation Camp was very helpful to us as we got good leads from some investors and gained insights about the Indian healthcare system.

    Alex Nitsch OxyPrem

    The Market Validation Camp was a founding part of our plans in India. We extensively scouted and eventually connected with key industrial players including leading energy think tanks and policy influencers, getting their valuable feedback about validation of solutions deployment, which is now serving as the key factor for our market entry plans.

    Dr. Saurabh Tembhurne SoHHytech SA

Partners

Contact

Rahul Kulshresth

Head of Innovation