18 Founders with Disabilities participated in 2Gether-International's accelerator program to prepare to launch a scalable product
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- 2Gether-International (2GI), a global organization and network unlocking the potential of founders with Disabilities, congratulates PathStrider Mobility Founder and CEO Tony Ellis II, the winner of its Summer 2026 Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Cohort, powered by longtime partner Comcast. Ellis is a SMA Wheelchair User building the world's first seated robotic independence platform for people with severe neuromuscular conditions.
The MVP Cohort featured a 10-week online course designed to help founders with Disabilities define and scope an MVP based on real customer data, develop a go-to-market strategy, and produce a pitch deck. Through step-by-step guidance, participants tested their products with real users, gathered feedback, and iterated quickly. Founders learned to reduce risk, maximize learning, and stay focused on solving real customer problems, preparing them to launch and deliver on their value propositions.
The accelerator program culminated in a pitch competition for four founders selected as finalists, offering these entrepreneurs the opportunity to receive $10,000 in seed funding. Representatives from Motley Fool Ventures, Diversity VC and Venture Builders were on hand to judge the competition. These finalists also included:
- Emily Weinberg, Founder of SkipIt, a trauma-informed tool that helps viewers skip triggering scenes in shows & movies in real time
- Rachelle Orozco and Kristina Bagnoli, Co-Founders of 5Senses, a health and wellness app that helps people navigate social environments
- CrosTalk Founder Chris Akans, who won the audience's choice award of $2500 for his custom hardware and software designed to restore the illusion of stereo audio for people with single sided deafness.
"Congratulations to our finalists, audience winner, and to Tony Ellis II for being named the winner of 2GI's 2026 MVP Cohort Pitch Competition. PathStrider Mobility's advanced solutions will help innovate the future of the accessible tech industry," said 2Gether-International US Senior Program Manager Courtney "Coko" Eason.
"Each and every founder who participated in this year's Cohort had a special opportunity to reimagine what's possible across industries, creating solutions that advance accessibility, strengthen communities, and improve quality of life," added Eason. "Their work reflects the power of inclusive innovation, and we're proud to provide the tools, mentorship, and support that will help turn their ideas into scalable, market-ready ventures."
This year's 2GI Summer 2026 MVP Cohort Accelerator participants also included:
- La Latch, Amdalat Jinadu, Co-Founder
- Zeropoint, Corbin Fanning, Founder
- Fit + In, Emily Shepard, Founder
- Arushi Apparel, Gabriel Cardier, Founder
- Pairably, Ioannis Spanoudakis, Founder
- ally ID, Jakob Hytkken, Founder
- CubCare ASL, Joseline Garcia, Founder
- Flairya, Kim To, Founder
- Simpli Soap, Angela "Loopy", Founder
- LuvLee Dating, Lee Eygabroad Jr., Founder
- Pistachio Pay, Natasha Barber, Founder
- Later Gator, Raymond Chelf, Founder
- OA Assist, Tracy Martin-Wray, Founder
"At 2GI, we believe that some of the most impactful innovations come from lived experiences. With the support of our partner Comcast, founders in the Summer 2026 MVP Cohort were able to identify challenges, design solutions, and create businesses that can improve how people live, work, and connect," said Diego Mariscal, 2Gether-International CEO and Founder. "We are proud to support innovators at this critical stage in their entrepreneurial journeys and provide the resources, mentorship, and networks they need to succeed."
Additional features of the 2GI MVP Cohort included:
- Virtual workshops tailored to the unique experiences of people with Disabilities
- Custom one-on-one coaching from accredited leadership coaches
- Peer-to-peer founder discussion and networking groups
- World-class speakers and mentors in the entrepreneurship and/or Disability sector
- Connections to investors and support for fundraising both during and post-program
2GI's advanced programming is part of its extended partnership with longtime supporter Comcast, announced in May 2024. Comcast has pledged its continued organizational support by committing over $1 million USD to fuel 2GI's programming through 2026. The funding helps equip start-up founders with Disabilities with the tools and resources they need to lead in their respective industries.
"At Comcast, we believe that innovation thrives when all entrepreneurs have equal opportunity to succeed," said Gwyneth Gaul, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Philanthropy at Comcast Corporation. "We are proud to be a longtime sponsor of 2Gether-International to help all founders access the resources, mentorship, and networks needed to successfully grow their businesses. We join in congratulating PathStrider Mobility and all of this year's participants on their achievements."
Since the organization's inception, 2GI has supported over 1,400 startups, helping them raise approximately $84 million USD in combined investment, revenue, and acquisition proceeds. Their ventures span a wide range of industries and stages, demonstrating the power and potential of Disability-led innovation when given the right resources and support.
2GI's mission and core programming remain focused on supporting Disabled Founders, and that continues to be central to the organization. At the same time, many of 2GI's resources, such as webinars, toolkits, and educational content, are broadly accessible and benefit the wider entrepreneurial community.
For more information on 2Gether-International and its Accelerator Cohort programs, visit2Gether-international.org.
About 2Gether-International (2GI):
2Gether-International (2GI) is a global organization and network unlocking the potential of founders with Disabilities. 2GI turns Disability-led innovation into an engine for growth across entrepreneurship, capital, and workforce systems. As the world's largest startup accelerator run by and for entrepreneurs with Disabilities, 2GI is redefining Disability as a competitive advantage in business. 2GI has supported over 1,400 startups, helping them raise over 84 million dollars in investment, revenue, and acquisitions. The organization itself has given more than half a million dollars in non-diluted capital to founders with Disabilities. 2GI was named to the first-ever Forbes Accessibility 100 list in 2025 and recognized again in 2026.
Media Contact
Alexandra Rush, 2Gether-International, 1 7186643517, [email protected], https://www.2gether-international.org/
SOURCE 2Gether-International
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