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Top Tips for Disabled Individuals Interested in Entrepreneurship: Insights from a Forbes Accessibility 100 Honoree

By 2Gether-International
Top Tips for Disabled Individuals Interested in Entrepreneurship: Insights from a Forbes Accessibility 100 Honoree

Entrepreneurship isn’t just a career option; it’s a way for Disabled people to reclaim time, autonomy, and economic power. For many of us, traditional employment models weren’t built with our lives in mind. At 2Gether-International (2GI), we believe Disabled Founders are essential to the future of innovation. We are honored to be named to the inaugural Forbes Accessibility 100 list, which recognizes global leaders in accessibility and inclusion. This recognition is not just about our team. It reflects the growing movement of Disabled Entrepreneurs who are reshaping the business world.

Why Entrepreneurship is a Game-Changer for Disabled Individuals

Entrepreneurship gives Disabled people the chance to create something on their own terms. From flexible work to designing products that reflect real life, it is a path that turns lived experience into market insight. This is not just a feel-good story. Disabled Founders identify gaps that others overlook and build businesses that work better for everyone. We are not waiting to be included. We are building systems where we already belong.

At 2GI, we have seen firsthand how Disabled Entrepreneurs are redefining what is possible. Our community is proof that when Disabled people lead, innovation follows. The numbers back it up. Since our founding, 2GI has supported almost 100 startups, helping them raise more than $84 million in funding and making a tangible impact on the world.

Top 5 Tips for Disabled Entrepreneurs

Whether you are currently running your startup, fleshing out your first business venture, or just curious about what your disability can offer, we have five tips that can help:

1. Leverage Your Perspective as a Strategic Advantage

Your lived experience as a Disabled person is not a liability. It is a lens that makes you a better problem solver. Some of the most game-changing products in tech, health, and accessibility were built by people solving problems they understood firsthand. Do not just “tell your story.” Lead with it. It is your edge.

2. Build a Business That Works for You

Design your business around your needs, not the other way around. Whether it’s remote work, flexible hours, or accessible technology, prioritize what makes your work sustainable. The best businesses are built to last, and that starts with a model that supports your life.

3. Plug Into Disability-Led Networks

You don’t have to do this alone. Join communities like 2GI’s accelerator programs, Venture Labs, and Disability Startup Network meetups. These networks offer mentorship, funding opportunities, and a safe space to learn from others who get it. When Disabled Entrepreneurs support each other, everyone wins.

4. Prioritize Sustainable Growth and Self-Care

Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Set boundaries, delegate tasks, and remember that rest is productive. Sustainable growth means building a business that can thrive even when you need to step back and take care of yourself.

5. Stay Adaptive and Keep Learning

Markets change, technology evolves, and setbacks happen. Stay curious, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to pivot. Every challenge is a chance to innovate, and Disabled Founders are some of the most adaptive leaders out there.

The 2GI Story: Disability-Led Innovation in Action

2GI was founded because our lived experience showed us a gap in the system, and we decided to fill it. Our founder, Diego Mariscal, started as a young advocate for accessibility, and quickly realized that Disabled people needed more than awareness, they needed economic power and a seat at the table. From grassroots campaigns to launching the nation’s largest accelerator for Disabled Entrepreneurs, our journey has always been about turning lived experience into leadership.

Being named to the Forbes Accessibility 100 is a milestone, but it’s just the beginning. Every day, Disabled Founders in our community are building companies that change industries, create jobs, and set new standards for what’s possible.

The Ecosystem Needs You

If you’re thinking about starting something, do it. Not just because you can, but because the ecosystem needs you. Whether you’re testing an idea or scaling a venture, 2GI is here to back you with real support, real people, and real community.

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Let’s build the future, together.