Breaking Barriers: How SensePilot is Redefining Accessibility in Tech

An Interview with Linas Jonika, Co-Founder of SensePilot

At ROCKIT, we support startups that push boundaries, solve real-world challenges, and create lasting impact. One such startup that has emerged from our accelerator program is SensePilot, a company revolutionizing accessibility in technology. We sat down with Linas Jonika, co-founder of SensePilot, to discuss their journey, challenges, and what’s next for this game-changing startup.

Winning startup competitions can be a major milestone. How has your experience with programs like EIT Health InnoStars and HICEE shaped your journey?

Linas Jonika: While we didn’t win the EIT Health InnoStars Awards, participating in the program was a huge turning point for us. It pushed us to refine our go-to-market strategy and provided invaluable mentorship that helped us pivot in the right direction. More than that, these programs connected us to a network of inspiring entrepreneurs in health tech, medtech, and digital health, all experts in their fields. The insights and connections we gained were just as valuable as any trophy.

On top of that, we were honored to win Contentsquare Foundation’s inaugural Accessibility Innovation Prize, which was judged by industry leaders from Microsoft, L’Oréal Group, Skyscanner, Diversidays, and Contentsquare. This win also brought us mentorship from these top companies, which continues to shape our approach and strategy.

SensePilot recently joined Microsoft Founders Hub and Google for Startups. How have these partnerships influenced your product development and growth strategy?

Linas: These partnerships have been instrumental in helping us scale. Our software is built for Windows operating systems, so being part of Microsoft Founders Hub has given us access to Azure AI models, OpenAI tools, and partner benefits with LinkedIn and Stripe—all of which directly support our growth.

At the same time, Google for Startups has provided essential resources, such as Workspace and Cloud computing credits. It has also helped us reduce CRM costs with HubSpot, which is a huge benefit for an early-stage startup like ours.

Your work innovatively tackles accessibility challenges. What inspired you to focus on this issue?

Linas: We saw firsthand the high costs and complexity of specialized assistive hardware like eye-gaze systems. These devices are life-changing but often too expensive and difficult to obtain due to funding barriers. That’s why we joined an AI Lithuania hackathon in 2024 to prototype a webcam-based solution—enabling users to control computers using only head movements and facial recognition.

Our journey accelerated when we joined ROCKIT’s Bootcamp in Palanga, which gave us the final push to move from idea to MVP. Our mission is simple: make assistive technology more accessible and remove the need for expensive additional hardware.

You recently launched your beta version. What key insights have you gained from early users?

Linas: It’s been incredible to see how our software impacts people’s lives—from education and work to social engagement and gaming. We’ve learned a lot about how users interact with different settings, often in ways we didn’t expect. Based on feedback, we’re now working on profile-based settings, allowing users to seamlessly switch between different use cases.

This feedback-driven approach is helping us prioritize our roadmap and fine-tune features that make the biggest difference.

Looking ahead, what’s next for SensePilot? Any exciting developments on the horizon?

Linas: We’re continuing to iterate based on user feedback and adding new input methods like voice, sound, and eye-gaze controls to further enhance accessibility.

There’s also some big news coming soon—but unfortunately, we can’t share it publicly just yet. So stay tuned!

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SensePilot’s journey is a testament to the power of accelerator programs and strategic partnerships. From refining their strategy at ROCKIT’s Bootcamp to leveraging global opportunities with Microsoft and Google, their story showcases how the right support can help startups scale, innovate, and make a real impact.

Visit www.sensepilot.tech for a 30-day free trial, and help spread the word to those who could benefit the most!