Vision-Aid’s Ability Bazaar Wins $50,000 in Global AI Competition
The platform, which connects people with disabilities to paid digital work, was named a runner-up in the Build with Gemini XPRIZE after competing with more than 26,000 entrants worldwide.
LEXINGTON, MA–Vision-Aid’s AI-powered platform, Ability Bazaar, has won a $50,000 runner-up award in the global Build with Gemini XPRIZE competition, recognizing its effort to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities through technology.
The award was presented to the Vision-Aid team at the Moonshots Summit in Los Angeles last month. Ability Bazaar was among 25 projects selected for cash awards from more than 26,000 participants worldwide. It competed in the Entrepreneurship and Job Creation category.
Presented by Google and XPRIZE, the $2 million competition challenged participants to develop and launch AI-powered businesses within 90 days, demonstrating business viability, the use of artificial intelligence in operations, and potential for real-world impact.
Ability Bazaar advanced to the competition’s final 100 projects in September before being named a runner-up. The platform was developed in approximately three months.
Operating under the tagline “Talent with Disabilities. Apps Without Barriers,” Ability Bazaar connects customers seeking digital services with skilled professionals with disabilities. Services include website and app development and other technology-related work.
The platform uses Google’s Gemini AI technology to automate front-office tasks and help manage and scale its marketplace. People with disabilities provide technical expertise, accessibility knowledge, development services and quality assurance.
According to Vision-Aid, the goal is to create sustainable, paid employment opportunities for people with disabilities while helping businesses and organizations develop accessible digital products and services.
In a statement, the Vision-Aid team thanked the supporters, customers, sponsors and volunteers who helped launch and develop the platform. The team also credited the professionals with disabilities whose skills and experience are central to its work.
The $50,000 award will help Vision-Aid expand Ability Bazaar, provide training to more people with disabilities and create additional opportunities for paid work, the organization said.
Ability Bazaar is open to customers seeking technology services, including website and app development and back-office technology support. Vision-Aid said customers can use the platform to purchase services while supporting employment opportunities for people who are visually impaired or have other disabilities.
