Breaking Barriers: Varun Chandak's Journey to Empower Accessibility Tech Startups
Innovating for inclusivity: inside a startup incubator for accessibility tech. We speak with Varun Chandak, the award-winning social entrepreneur, who is revolutionizing the disability innovation and inclusion space through his nonprofit, Access to Success. By creating Canada's first accelerator for accessibility startups and offering scholarships to MBA students with disabilities, Varun is working towards creating a world that enables everyone. This episode is filled with amazing and authentic learning moments for both Varun and Mike - tune in to this inspiring conversation on the Pitch Please Podcast. #EnableEveryone.
About Varun Chandak ((99+) Varun Chandak | LinkedIn)
Varun Chandak is an award-winning social entrepreneur working to support the development of future leaders with disabilities and assistive tech. As the founder of Access to Success, a Toronto-based not-for-profit, he launched Canada's first accelerator for accessibility startups, the world's first support program for MBA students with disabilities, and the world's first study on the state of disability inclusion in MBA programs. He also co-founded the Inclusive Innovation Network, a global coalition of disability tech accelerators, innovators and investors. For his work, Varun received the 2023 Changemakers award, the Tom Wilson Leadership in Disability award, and several other recognitions. Varun’s work stems from his lived experience with hearing loss and Erb’s palsy. He lives in Toronto with his wife and his hyperactive goldendoodle, Dash.
Varun Chandak is an award-winning social entrepreneur working to support the development of future leaders with disabilities and assistive tech. As the founder of Access to Success, a Toronto-based not-for-profit, he launched Canada's first accelerator for accessibility startups, the world's first support program for MBA students with disabilities, and the world's first study on the state of disability inclusion in MBA programs. He also co-founded the Inclusive Innovation Network, a global coalition of disability tech accelerators, innovators and investors. For his work, Varun received the 2023 Changemakers award, the Tom Wilson Leadership in Disability award, and several other recognitions. Varun’s work stems from his lived experience with hearing loss and Erb’s palsy. He lives in Toronto with his wife and his hyperactive goldendoodle, Dash.
About Access to Success (https://accesstosuccess.ca/)
Access to Success supports the development of future leaders with disabilities and assistive tech. It runs ATS Labs, Canada's first accelerator for accessibility startups, and the Access to Success Fellowship, which awards up to $90,000 in annual scholarships to MBA students with disabilities. By building a pipeline of future leaders with disabilities supported by innovative new assistive tech, Access to Success aims to #EnableEveryone.
Get in Touch with Access to Success
- Website: https://accesstosuccess.ca/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accesstosuccess-org/
- Email: contact@accesstosuccess.ca
Want to Help?
- If you are an innovator, investor or advocate in the disability innovation and inclusion space, please reach out! Access to Success is always looking for like-minded people and organizations, and Varun and his team would love to speak with you.
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