Accelerating inclusive innovation in digital accessibility & assistive technology.
The Mada Innovation Award is a flagship initiative of Mada – Qatar Assistive Technology Center. It accelerates digital accessibility and assistive technology so persons with disabilities can participate on equal terms.
The award follows a clear path: application screening, expert jury review, then mentorship and funding. Companies and startups can apply, and winners receive financial support and a place in the Mada innovation ecosystem until their solutions are market-ready and built to last.
Three principles guide every stage of the award — from screening and jury review to mentorship, grants, and ecosystem integration.
Breakthrough ideas
We champion solutions that use AI and emerging technology to solve real accessibility challenges — not novelty for its own sake, but products that can be tested, measured, and scaled.
Design with users
People with disabilities stay at the center through co-design, testing, and solutions that fit Arabic language, culture, and regional context.
Sustainable pathway
We build clear routes to market readiness, policy alignment, and long-term adoption — from concept to solutions that genuinely serve people.
A clear path from the open call to grants and ecosystem integration — with structured mentorship for shortlisted teams.
Open call
Submit your proposal during the open window with problem, solution, users, and evidence of need. Mada’s team begins screening as applications arrive.
Independent review
Independent scoring on relevance, feasibility, inclusivity, innovation, scalability, and impact potential — with transparent criteria and a multidisciplinary jury.
Five domains
Finalist teams receive targeted mentorship across core innovation domains to strengthen product, research, testing, and go-to-market plans before the final pitch.
Grants & integration
Grants plus integration into Mada’s ecosystem for pilots, partnerships, and visibility — with ongoing support toward market readiness and lasting impact.
More than funding — a full ecosystem supporting inclusive innovation from idea to market.
Seed grants across award tracks, plus expert clinics and product, design, and accessibility reviews to help teams mature faster.
Connections with public, private, and academic stakeholders — and Mada’s regional and international assistive technology networks.
WCAG guidance, safety and privacy-by-design, and a commitment to Responsible AI and fairness for diverse users.
Showcase at Mada events, publications, and media channels — raising the profile of inclusive solutions locally and regionally.
We look for serious innovators building real accessibility solutions — with Arabic relevance, AI potential, and clear impact for people with disabilities.
Three funding tracks for different maturity stages — with awards of up to QAR 120,000 per winner.
AI-Powered Innovation Grant
Advanced AI-based solutions demonstrating strong scalability and readiness for accessibility markets.
Applied Innovation Grant
High-potential mid-stage projects ready for focused mentorship, pilots, and conversion into real-world use.
Emerging Innovation Grant
Early ideas and trends addressing clear accessibility needs and deserving foundational support to validate and grow.
MIA champions inclusive design across the entire lifecycle. Solutions are encouraged to align with international accessibility standards and to involve people with disabilities through participatory design — from research to launch and beyond.
Projects leveraging AI should demonstrate transparency, data protection, informed consent, safety-by-design, and fairness for diverse users—including robust evaluation with assistive tech users.
Hardware, software, content, or services that advance digital accessibility or assistive technology for people with disabilities—including AI-enabled solutions—are welcome.