Possibility Fund Launches to Back Kiwi Access Innovators and Entrepreneurs

Access innovator Minnie Baragwanath is partnering with other access champions to launch a New Zealand first.

In a time of economic turmoil and associated underfunding of some core services for New Zealanders, access innovator Minnie Baragwanath is partnering with other access champions to launch a New Zealand first. A new philanthropic fund is providing long-term support for the advancement of innovations that will ensure a truly accessible future for all. Ms Baragwanath believes that access citizens need to take their future into their own hands by ensuring access innovators can get the resourcing they need to flourish and go to market.

The Possibility Fund starts with $340,000 in seed funding from philanthropists with a shared goal of advancing accessibility and support for leaders with access needs: $160,000 from the Minnie Baragwanath Fund and $180,000 from the legacy of Alice and Stan Flavell. The fund is managed by the Perpetual Guardian Foundation as professional trustee, and grants and operations are overseen by Minnie Baragwanath, a leading access entrepreneur in New Zealand and the founder of Be. Lab and CEO of the Global Centre of Possibility @AUT.

An inaugural grant of $25,000 has been gifted to Kiwi access entrepreneur Arash Tayebi, the CEO and founder of Kara Technologies, which uses AI and animated digital characters to translate content into sign language.

A Givealittle page has been set up by the Possibility Fund so everyday philanthropists can contribute what they are able in support of access innovation and entrepreneurship like Arash Tayebi’s insert GAL link.

Ms Baragwanath says, “Arash was chosen for the first Possibility Fund grant because of his bold thinking, determination and embodiment of the concept of Possibility in striving to change the lives of deaf people around the world. He exemplifies the innovative mindset that will create a future that is 100% accessible to all.” Being deaf himself and an inventor and entrepreneur, Mr Tayebi combines the lived experience and the expertise needed to radically reimagine the future.

Mr Tayebi is the first of many access innovators and entrepreneurs who will benefit from the support provided by the Possibility Fund. An access entrepreneur is anyone with an access need who is working to advance accessibility through the creation of new ideas, businesses, products or services. Access innovation is the design and creation of ideas, products, and services that advance accessibility for the 1 in 4 New Zealanders living with access needs. This could include a physical impairment, vision or hearing loss, a learning impairment, a short-term injury or an age-related impairment.

Kirsten Taylor, General Manager of the Perpetual Guardian Foundation, says the Possibility Fund has been structured to ensure longevity and security of funding, and to allow broad participation.

“We are inviting other philanthropists and everyday New Zealanders who wish to back our access innovators to consider contributing to the Fund in any amount they wish. That is why we are also launching a Givealittle campaign at the same time as this announcement, to invite giving from everyday New Zealanders who believe in a more equitable future. Over time, the various projects being supported by the Possibility Fund will also be showcased on Givealittle.co.nz.

“We are pleased to be supporting the work of the Possibility Fund in this progressive way, and to be connecting the legacy of Alice and Stan Flavell, who were dedicated to helping access citizens and would be delighted to see their gift being used to support Kiwis in this way.”

Ms Baragwanath says, “Possibility is an innovative, opportunity-focused way of thinking, being, and designing that has a contemporary approach to accessibility at its heart. The Possibility Fund supports access entrepreneurs who embody the concept of Possibility – by boldly reimagining and actively creating a future that is truly accessible to all. Today’s access citizens need accessible contemporary design and innovations in order to flourish in the world. Where possible, the Fund will look to support entrepreneurs at all levels – from concept stage through to scaling up.”

Qualifying applicants for Possibility Fund grants will include those who have demonstrated courage, creativity, and leadership in their work and who are aspiring to create a world of Possibility (as opposed to Disability thinking).

Ms Baragwanath says, “We will be supporting innovators who see the world through a Possibility lens – which means we intentionally design access in to everything we do, from designing products and services through to communities and countries. This will mean no one is excluded from society or prevented from achieving their true potential.”