The assistive technology market, valued at more than $22 billion in 2023, is anticipated to grow considerably over the coming years. Yet, despite these strong projections, founders developing innovative products for people with disabilities typically face significant hurdles in raising early-stage funding.
Adaptation Ventures, a newly launched angel investor group, seeks to bridge this funding gap. Co-founded by entrepreneurs and angel investors Brittany Palmer and Rich Palmer, the organization specializes in backing early-stage startups working in disability-focused tech. The group intends to invest in companies directly serving people with disabilities as well as those developing mainstream technologies that also enhance accessibility.
The Palmers bring both personal and professional experience to their new venture. Brittany, who co-founded Beeyonder—a company providing virtual travel experiences tailored to people with disabilities—personally encountered the struggles of raising funds for disability-focused startups. Recalling those difficulties, she noted the lack of understanding among traditional investors: “Venture capital firms didn’t grasp the scope, the market size, or the commercial opportunities associated with serving the disability community.”
Rich Palmer, previously the co-founder of software startup Gravyty and a seasoned angel investor affiliated with Launchpad Venture Group, echoed a similar sentiment from his experience on the investing side. Realizing how frequently promising founders in the disability-tech space failed to attract initial funding, he and Brittany decided to create a dedicated channel to support such entrepreneurs directly.
Initially, the Palmers considered establishing a venture capital fund targeting startups in the disability tech sector. They pitched the concept to various limited partners, including impact investors and wealthy individuals. Although the idea gained initial enthusiasm, shifting attitudes around diversity, equity, and inclusion due to changing administrations dampened investor appetite. Moreover, high-net-worth individuals expressed a stronger preference for direct involvement, prompting the Palmers to pivot toward forming an angel group rather than a traditional venture fund.
Adaptation Ventures will commit at least $250,000 per investment, with the possibility for co-investments. The group intends to conduct meetings quarterly, during which a pool of startups will present their pitches. Member investors will then decide collectively which companies proceed to the due diligence phase.
According to Rich, the group’s investment thesis emphasizes simplifying complex technologies and lowering typically sizable costs associated with accessibility solutions. He outlined examples of startups suitable for their funding model, including companies such as ReBokeh, a provider of assistive technology for low-vision users, and mainstream fitness companies such as Tonal, which inadvertently benefit users with disabilities through improved accessibility.
Both Brittany and Rich have direct experience navigating life with disabilities and understand the challenges inherent in attracting capital for disability-focused startups. Rich survived a brain aneurysm resulting in temporary and permanent disabilities, while Brittany is a bilateral amputee. Drawing insights from their own journeys and significant experience as entrepreneurs and angel investors, the Palmers have spent years informally mentoring and investing in promising founders. “We’ve essentially been practicing for this role for the past decade,” Rich remarked.
Frustrated by the lack of specialized early funding for an underserved yet growing market, Adaptation Ventures aims to offer startups much-needed financial backing, expertise, and advocacy—enabling crucial innovations in accessibility and disability technology to flourish.
