Auticon (stylised as auticon) is an international information technology consulting company and social enterprise that employs autistic adults as consultants. Founded in Berlin in 2011, the company has expanded internationally through organic growth and the acquisitions of American company MindSpark and Canadian company Meticulon. In 2023, Auticon and the Nordic consultancy Unicus announced a merger agreement. The company operated in 15 countries as of 2024.
History Auticon was founded in Berlin in 2011 by Dirk Müller-Remus. In October 2016, the company received investment from Richard Branson's Virgin Group and the UK charity Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to support expansion in the United Kingdom.
In June 2018, Auticon entered the United States through the acquisition of MindSpark, an IT consultancy based in Santa Monica, California.
In 2019, Auticon expanded into Canada by acquiring Meticulon's technology consulting division
In 2023, Auticon and Oslo-based firm Unicus announced a plan to merge companies.
On 1 January 2025, Luke Williams was appointed Group CEO, succeeding Kurt Schöffer, who retired on 31 December 2024.
Business model Auticon employs autistic adults as IT consultants and supports them through workplace adjustments and coaching.
In its 2024 impact report, the company reported working with 307 clients globally and employing 552 people. 79% of their workforce identified as neurodivergent. The report said that 405 autistic people were employed in technology and data roles.
The company's employment approach has been discussed in Harvard Business Review articles on neurodiversity and disability as sources of competitive advantage.
Awards
2013: IQ Award 2017: UK Social Enterprise Awards – One to Watch Award 2021: UK Social Enterprise Awards – International Impact (winner) 2022: UK Social Enterprise Awards – Social Enterprise of the Year (winner) 2022: UK Social Enterprise Awards – Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Justice (winner)
See also
Neurodiversity Autism rights movement Social enterprise Autism and employment
References
External links