A Founder's Mission for Neuro-Inclusion

Looking back at my time in corporate innovation and venture capital, I was immersed in a world of incredible ideas. But after reviewing thousands of startups and launching dozens of pilots, I started to notice a recurring theme. So many projects felt like they were missing a soul, a deeper 'why.' The objective was often to optimize an existing business process or help a large company squeeze out a few more percentage points of revenue. It was smart, it was technical, but it wasn't solving a fundamental human need.

AutiHD was born not from a desire to just 'launch a startup,' but from conversations with real people. Before we even considered building a product, we spent countless hours listening to the challenges, frustrations, and hopes of neurodivergent individuals. The idea grew organically from their stories. My previous experience taught me two crucial lessons: first, you must start with the genuine problems of your users, not a solution you've imagined in a boardroom. And second, there's a profound lack of ventures truly dedicated to improving a person's everyday quality of life. That realization was the real turning point for me.

It really began almost fifteen years ago when I was a journalism student. I was working on a project about a community for children with autism and was just floored by their incredible talents. Some were piano virtuosos, others created drawings with a depth that was breathtaking. But I also saw the painful reality of how the system treated them. The goal wasn't to nurture their unique gifts, but to make them more 'convenient' or 'uniform' for society. That experience never left me.

Years later, after moving to Luxembourg, I met my co-founder, Joël. He completely dismantled the stereotypes I, like many, held about autism, which were largely shaped by films like 'Rain Man.' Joël is brilliant, funny, and deeply insightful, and getting to know him made me realize how narrow our collective understanding is. His story showed me that the challenges don't just disappear after childhood; they persist through university and into the workplace, where the pressure to conform to a rigid mold forces so many to hide their true selves. It struck me that despite the time that had passed and the different country I was in, the core problem was identical: society struggles to see the person beyond the label. That's what makes this work so personal and urgent for me. We aren't trying to 'fix' people; we're trying to build a world that is ready to see them.

Our biggest and most humbling lesson was realizing we couldn't design 'a solution' for neurodivergent people. We initially approached it with the mindset of building a single tool for one audience. But we learned very quickly that what is incredibly helpful for one person can be completely overwhelming for another. The spectrum of needs, preferences, and sensitivities is immense. That was a critical turning point. It forced us to abandon the idea of a one-size-fits-all product and instead embrace the philosophy of building a flexible, adaptable toolkit. Our focus shifted from providing answers to creating a platform that empowers each individual to build their own support system.

Certainly. Our AI acts as a personalization engine. It learns from the user's health and contextual data, like sleep patterns, step count, calendar load, and even ambient noise levels, to detect early signs of stress. Based on these signals, it might suggest tailored coping strategies, such as a specific breathing exercise, a micro-break, or a technique for reframing a daunting task. Importantly, every user has full control and can opt out of any data sharing at any time. We store everything in line with GDPR, ensuring total transparency.

As for what's next, our roadmap is driven by user feedback. We already support most EU languages and are planning an Android version for 2026. Our immediate priorities are enhancing accessibility with customizable visuals and simplified onboarding for those who feel easily overwhelmed. We're also tackling two key user problems: helping with task initiation by breaking down complex projects into manageable micro-steps and developing smarter notification management to provide support without adding to the cognitive load.

We're taking a multi-channel approach. Starting in Luxembourg has been a strategic advantage. It's a small, multilingual, and highly connected ecosystem, which allows us to gather direct market feedback and iterate quickly. One of our primary long-term goals is to have our solution covered by insurance. Many European countries, like Germany with its DiGA framework, are creating pathways for the reimbursement of digital health tools, which is a major opportunity for us to make Mindory accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it.

Simultaneously, we're building a B2B2C channel by partnering directly with companies that are serious about inclusion. We offer workshops and mentorship programs to help them adapt their workflows and support their neurodivergent employees. Today, individuals can subscribe to the app, but companies can also purchase vouchers for their teams. This hybrid model, bridging direct-to-consumer access, corporate wellness, and eventually, the formal healthcare system, gives us a robust foundation for scaling our impact across the continent.

The most critical shift needed is in awareness. Society still tends to view neurodivergence as a childhood issue or something that needs to be 'fixed.' We need a fundamental change in perspective, supported by education and policy, that frames it for what it is: a different way of thinking with its own unique strengths. This means normalizing structural flexibility in our institutions. Things like flexible hours, remote work options, or adapted roles shouldn't be seen as special accommodations; they are essential for many people to contribute their best work.

Technology, and specifically platforms like our Mindory App, will be instrumental in this shift. But I don't see them just as 'workplace tools.' Their real power lies in becoming daily companions that support people in managing stress, organizing their lives, and maintaining balance. When people feel more confident and less overwhelmed in their personal lives, they can bring their authentic, brilliant selves to everything they do. That is the ultimate goal: to provide support that enhances daily life, which in turn naturally fosters more inclusive workplaces, communities, and societies.