Photo: Kent Smith

Consultants with Unique Skills

Although the numbers can vary, it is estimated that the unemployment rate among autistic adults is as high as 70 – 80% (auticon.com). At the same time, autism has a range of positive traits that are sought-after in the workforce, such as attention to detail, accuracy, structure and systematic approach, and analytical abilities. For auticon and its employees, these qualities represent a competitive advantage.

The company contributes to improved economic and social conditions for autistic adults by offering them high-quality career opportunities. Employees at auticon have the opportunity to develop long-term careers in the tech sector, become more independent, and improve their quality of life.

Growth and Ambitions

auticon has a robust business model where the company supports a global customer base with data analysis, data engineering, software development, testing and quality assurance, cybersecurity, RPA, AI programming, and data cleaning and preparation. The company is known for its high-quality deliveries and for its positive work culture that builds on the individual strengths and talents of its autistic employees. auticon has plans to expand both organically and through acquisitions, primarily in North America and Europe, but is also looking towards Asia.

World-Leading Employer for Autistic Adults

In the spring of 2023, the company merged with Unicus, a Norwegian company with a similar business model. We have been working with Unicus since 2009 and invested in auticon in 2018. The purpose of the merger is to build a strong company that can create even greater value and social impact – in current markets and new ones.

The new company goes further than just employing autistic adults. By collaborating with auticon, customers gain access to services that help them become better employers for existing and future neurodivergent employees. This service is called Neuroinclusion Services, and the company trained over 6,000 people in Neuroinclusion in 2023.

The company now operates in 30 cities and 15 countries and expects to have about 550 employees on the autism spectrum by the end of 2024 (more than 80 percent of the workforce).

Significant Milestone

As investors, we have played a crucial role in the merger. It is a milestone for us to be part of building a multinational company where the main motivation is to provide jobs for autistic adults to improve their life situations.

How much - Impact Performance

auticon measures its impact on three levels: the difference it makes for its neurodivergent employees, its impact on customer organisations and the role it plays in raising awareness of neurodiversity in society.

After consistent growth over many years, the number of autistic individuals employed in technology and data roles decreased by 7% in 2024. In the annual survey, a vast majority of the autistic employees report improved quality of life and confidence since joining the company.

The number of organizations auticon impacted has continued to increase, also driven by the new business area Neuroinclusion Services. auticon worked with 307 organisations in 2024, an increase 15% from 2023. The customer survey confirmed the company’s impact on the organizational level: 98% of the customers agree that the autistic technologists have added value to their company, and the vast majority reports that their team feels more confident working with neurodivergent colleagues and has a better understanding of neurodiversity.

405

Number of autistic consultants

307

Number of organisations auticon worked with

120

Number of organisations where neurodiversity trainings were delivered

Consultant's experience at work

82%

Feel they can be their authentic selves at work

80%

Feel more confident

82%

Improved quality of life since joining auticon

Customer experience

86%

Percentage of customers surveyed that say they feel more confident working with an autistic colleague

How the figures were sourced

The number of employees is sourced from the company’s internal database at the end of the year. The number of companies auticon has worked with in total (including neurodiversity training) and provided neurodiversity training to is also sourced from the company’s own database.

The figures related to  the consultants’ experiences are based on a survey sent to all employees between September and October 2024, with 236 responses.

The results related to customers are based on a survey sent to all customers September and October 2024, with 119 responses.

History

Unicus was founded in 2009 by Lars Johansson-Kjellerød, and auticon was founded by Dirk Müller-Remus in 2011.