In this episode of Investing in Accessibility, co-hosts Kelvin Crosby and Chris Maher launch the first installment of their new Accelerator Series, highlighting organizations that help disability-focused startups grow and scale their impact.

Their first guest is Varun Chandak, founder and executive director of Access to Success (ATS), a Toronto-based nonprofit accelerator supporting accessibility startups around the world. Varun shares his personal journey—from growing up in India with undiagnosed hearing loss to working in finance and ultimately building a global innovation hub dedicated to advancing disability tech.

The conversation explores how ATS helps early-stage companies move from promising ideas to scalable solutions through tailored mentorship, expert-led masterclasses, and a powerful global network. Varun also discusses the importance of inclusive design, why many accessibility startups pivot from B2C to B2B models, and the overlooked funding opportunities that founders should consider beyond traditional venture capital.

Along the way, the hosts dive into the realities of entrepreneurship in the accessibility sector—from funding challenges to the emotional resilience required to build mission-driven companies.

If you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or advocate passionate about innovation in accessibility, this episode offers valuable insights into the people and programs accelerating the future of inclusive technology.

Links & Resources:

Varun Chandak: LinkedIn

Access to Success: Website

ATS Demo Day 2025: Recording

2026 Spring Cohort: Expression of Interest Page

COMING SOON!

American Sign Language (ASL) and Captioning for each episode will be provided on our YouTube channel. Go to handle @SamaritanPartners.