Building an Inclusive World with AutiHD

Ksenia Golubeva

CBDO and co-founder of AutiHD, advancing AI-powered neurodiversity support.

Editor note

There are entrepreneurs who build companies, and then there are those who build movements. Ksenia Golubeva, CBDO and co-founder of AutiHD, firmly belongs to the latter. With over a decade of shaping corporate innovation in Eastern Europe, advising countless startups, she could have continued optimizing processes or chasing revenue. What drew me to speak with Ksenia was her profound pivot: a realization that true purpose lies in addressing fundamental human needs, especially for those often overlooked. You'll discover how her early exposure to the challenges faced by children with autism, coupled with a surprising personal connection, ignited a passion to redefine inclusion for neurodivergent adults. Her vision isn't just about an app; it's about changing how society perceives and celebrates difference. Get ready to explore a journey rooted in empathy, propelled by innovation, and aimed at creating a world where every talent can flourish, unburdened by outdated stereotypes.

Journey to Neurodiversity Advocacy

Ksenia, as a co-founder of AutiHD, what core ethos guides your mission, and what critical messages do you hope to instill about fostering genuine inclusion in today's world?

Our fundamental belief at AutiHD is that inclusion extends beyond mere access; it's about cultivating environments where every individual can genuinely thrive and leverage their unique talents. Our overarching mission is to build a more inclusive world where everyone has the opportunity to develop their strengths. A significant part of this involves extensive education and awareness campaigns, helping society truly grasp what neurodiversity means in practical terms. The more open conversations we have, the more effectively we can shift perspectives in workplaces and communities regarding talent recognition. For our Mindory App, the next six months are laser-focused on refining our iOS version based on direct user feedback and expanding our marketing reach. This iterative process, rooted in deeply listening to our users, is how we ensure we're building a solution that truly resonates and makes a tangible difference in their daily lives.

Neurodivergent people don't need to be 'fixed' - the world needs to change so they can be fully seen and valued.

The challenges don't end with childhood, they continue in workplaces.

A lone figure stands at the entrance of a bustling, brightly lit office building, their expression a mix of apprehension and determination, contrasting with the fast-paced, uniform flow of people entering, symbolizing the hidden struggles of fitting into a conventional work environment. There are reflections of the city lights in the windows of the building, and the overall atmosphere is one of modern architecture and structured routine.

Challenges in the workplace

In navigating the dynamic world of startup development while simultaneously delving into the nuanced field of neurodiversity support, what was the most surprising or pivotal lesson you learned about the intersection of agility and human complexity?

When we initially embarked on AutiHD, our thinking was rather broad: 'supporting autistic and ADHD people' as a singular, homogenous audience. The most profound and unexpected revelation, however, has been the immense variability within this group. What proves incredibly helpful for one individual can be utterly overwhelming for another. This realization fundamentally shifted our product philosophy. We no longer conceive of our offering as 'a solution' in the singular sense, but rather as a highly flexible, adaptable tool designed to personalize and adjust to the unique needs and sensitivities of each user. It’s about building a framework, not a rigid box.

A mosaic of diverse, brightly colored puzzle pieces, some fitting together smoothly while others stand slightly apart, symbolizing the uniqueness and varied experiences within the neurodivergent community. The background is soft and inviting, suggesting understanding and acceptance, rather than forcing conformity. The light source comes from above, creating gentle shadows and highlighting individual textures.

Celebrating uniqueness in neurodiversity: a vibrant mosaic of varied experiences.

AutiHD: AI-Driven Inclusive Solutions

Could you articulate AutiHD's current business model and share the early traction metrics and user insights that are currently informing your strategic roadmap for the coming six months?

Mindory operates on a hybrid business model. We offer direct-to-consumer (B2C) subscriptions with monthly, quarterly, and annual options for individuals seeking personal support. Simultaneously, we engage in a B2B2C approach, where employers or institutions can purchase vouchers for their staff or patients, integrating our solution into their broader support systems. Our early traction signals are quite encouraging, demonstrating strong user engagement. We've achieved a retention rate of 58%, which we view as a solid foundation. The most frequently utilized features on the platform are our AI support chat and the intuitive organizer tools, indicating a clear need for personalized assistance and structured daily management. These insights are directly shaping our product development and marketing focus for the next six months, guiding us toward refining what users value most.

From a market entry and regulatory standpoint, what is AutiHD’s strategic approach, particularly regarding initial EU markets, evidence generation, and your positioning of Mindory as either a medical device or a wellness solution?

Our initial market focus within the EU is strategically directed towards Luxembourg, Germany, and France. These regions present a growing demand for neurodivergence-friendly workplace tools and are also characterized by evolving reimbursement frameworks that could be advantageous for digital health solutions. At its current stage, Mindory is positioned as a comprehensive wellness solution, distinctly not as a medical device. To substantiate its efficacy and impact, we are actively conducting pilot programs with corporate partners. Through these pilots, we aim to generate robust, real-world evidence demonstrating Mindory's positive effects on stress reduction, enhanced productivity, and overall user well-being. This evidence will be crucial in informing our future strategic decisions, particularly whether pursuing a medical device pathway, like Germany's DiGA framework, aligns with our long-term objectives and market opportunities.

For neurodivergent users, trust and clarity are critical. Every suggestion can be traced back to the signal that triggered it.

Every suggestion can be traced back to the signal that triggered it.

A network of glowing, interconnected nodes and lines within a transparent brain-like structure, with a single, clear path highlighted from a specific data point (like a calendar icon or a sleep waveform) directly to a small, calming icon (like a deep breath symbol or a yoga pose), illustrating the concept of explainable AI in a clear and visually intuitive manner. The background is soft and digital, implying data but in an approachable way.

Explainable AI in action

A single, digital fern leaf unfurls on a minimalist white screen, with subtle lines radiating from its core, representing personalized growth and the adaptive nature of AI support. The image conveys calm, organic development within a technological framework. The background is pristine and uncluttered, emphasizing clarity and focus.

Personalized growth and adaptive AI support: the gentle unfurling of a digital fern.

Shaping Neuroinclusive Workplaces

From a strategic business development standpoint, how is AutiHD leveraging innovative partnerships and market adoption strategies to effectively scale its neurodiversity support platform across the diverse European ecosystem?

Luxembourg serves as an excellent starting ground for us; its compact, multilingual, and highly interconnected nature allows for rapid testing and iterative adaptation. We gather direct, invaluable feedback from the market, including from specialized institutions supporting autistic individuals, which enables us to swiftly implement refinements and ensure our solution remains closely aligned with genuine user needs. Looking forward, a cornerstone of our scaling strategy is pursuing reimbursement. Our goal is for Mindory to be covered by insurance schemes, a realistic ambition given the increasing flexibility of digital health tool policies across many European nations. This pathway offers a significant opportunity for scalable growth while simultaneously ensuring our product remains accessible. Concurrently, we are actively forging partnerships with forward-thinking companies committed to enhancing workplace inclusion. For us, market adoption isn't solely about integration within the healthcare system; it’s equally about collaborating directly with employers who recognize the profound value in supporting their neurodivergent workforce. This dual-channel approach – addressing both healthcare systems and direct workplace needs – provides AutiHD with a distinct and powerful position within the European market.

Beyond individual support, how does AutiHD currently engage with employers to foster neuroinclusive environments, and what are your strategic plans for developing employer-facing tools or integrations in the future?

Currently, our engagement with employers is direct and multifaceted. We provide comprehensive workshops designed to elevate awareness and understanding of neurodivergence within teams. Furthermore, we conduct targeted audits of existing workflows, identifying areas where adjustments can significantly reduce stress and enhance productivity for autistic and ADHD employees. Our mentorship programs also play a crucial role, offering guidance and support to help teams adapt more effectively. While our immediate focus is on these foundational initiatives, we are continuously exploring how to best integrate employer-facing features that further streamline and enhance workplace inclusion, always with the goal of creating more supportive and understanding professional environments.

The future workplace will be much more flexible and human-centered, where neurodiversity is seen as part of everyday life.

Looking ahead, how do you foresee the modern workplace evolving to truly embrace neurodiversity, and what transformative role do you envision AI-powered platforms, specifically AutiHD, playing in cultivating these truly inclusive ecosystems?

I firmly believe the future workplace will fundamentally shift towards a more flexible and profoundly human-centered model, where neurodiversity isn't viewed as an exception, but rather as an integral and valued aspect of daily professional life. This transformation goes beyond mere policy adjustments; it's about empowering individuals with the practical tools necessary to navigate their daily challenges, recognizing that one's personal well-being directly influences their engagement and performance at work. This is precisely where platforms like Mindory App become indispensable. Our core focus is to equip individuals with autism and ADHD with the support they need for their everyday routines – from organizing tasks and managing stress to maintaining overall balance. When individuals feel more confident, regulated, and less overwhelmed in their personal lives, they are naturally better positioned to bring their authentic strengths and full capabilities to the workplace. Therefore, I view AI-powered solutions not merely as 'workplace tools,' but as essential companions that empower neurodivergent individuals to live more fulfilling lives every day – a dynamic that inherently fosters more inclusive teams and, by extension, more inclusive societies.

The future workplace will be much more flexible and human-centered.

A brightly lit, modern open-plan office space featuring a variety of seating arrangements, quiet pods, and plants, with diverse people engaged in collaborative and focused work, all appearing comfortable and integrated. The overall impression is one of adaptability, collaboration, and a harmonious balance between individual needs and collective productivity.

A vision of the flexible, human-centered workplace.

Drawing upon your extensive background in startup advisory and fostering innovation, what fundamental systemic changes and policy interventions do you believe are most crucial for enhancing societal support for neurodivergent adults?

Based on my experience, the most pressing systemic change required is a profound shift in societal awareness. Currently, neurodivergence is often misconstrued solely as a childhood challenge or something that needs to be 'fixed.' We desperately need robust policies and widespread education programs that clearly articulate neurodiversity as a distinct, valid way of thinking, inherently linked to unique strengths and perspectives. Another critical area is access. Neurodivergent adults frequently face significant barriers to affordable tools, specialized coaching, and truly adapted workplaces. It’s imperative that digital solutions gain recognition and are subsequently reimbursed by insurance systems, ensuring that vital support is not exclusively available to those who can afford it out-of-pocket. Finally, workplaces absolutely require structural flexibility. Policies that normalize and support initiatives such as flexible hours, remote work options, or thoughtfully adapted roles are not merely 'perks' but fundamental necessities for many individuals to contribute their full capabilities and thrive professionally. These changes are vital to unlocking the potential of a neurodiverse workforce.