New Delhi: Venture Center, the not-for-profit technology business incubator hosted by CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory, has been named Best Assistive Technology Investor of the Year at the prestigious AssisTech Foundation (ATF) Awards 2025. Presented during the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025, the award highlights Venture Center’s pivotal role as an enabler in advancing the assistive technology (AT) ecosystem in India.
Instituted by the AssisTech Foundation — India’s pioneering organisation dedicated to strengthening the assistive technology landscape — the ATF Awards remain the country’s only national platform celebrating innovation and leadership in accessibility and inclusion. Through ten awards across three categories — Emerging Startups, Established Startups, and Enablers — ATF honours organisations and innovators driving transformative progress in assistive technology.
Venture Center received recognition in the Enablers category for its sustained efforts in nurturing, mentoring, and funding startups developing breakthrough assistive solutions. Over the years, it has supported more than 30 AT startups across India working in key disability areas, including neurological, cognitive and learning disorders, visual impairment, speech and hearing challenges, locomotive disabilities, and appearance-related conditions. These solutions span four major domains: surgical rehabilitation, rehabilitation, assistive products, and disability prevention.
Reflecting on the achievement, Dr. Premnath, Founder and Director of Venture Center, said:“Assistive technology innovators are among the most passionate changemakers we work with, and their solutions create real, lasting impact in people’s lives. This award reaffirms our commitment to supporting them with the ecosystem, mentoring, and resources they need. We are honoured by this recognition and inspired to advance accessibility and inclusion even further.”
Venture Center expressed its gratitude to the AssisTech Foundation for the honour, as well as to its long-standing supporters — including government agencies, foundations, and CSR partners — whose collective efforts have enabled the incubator to drive inclusive, socially impactful technological innovation.
