Auticon
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
| File:Auticon-logo-2023.png | |
| Company type | Limited Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Information technology consulting |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany |
Key people | Kurt Schoffer (Group CEO) |
| Services | Quality assurance Software testing Data analysis |
Number of employees | 300 (200 on autism spectrum)[1] |
| Website | auticon |
Auticon is an international information technology consulting firm that employs adults on the autism spectrum as IT consultants. Founded in 2011, the company operates in eight countries and offers services including quality assurance, software testing, and data analysis.[2]
The company reported in 2020 that 200 of its 300 employees are on the autism spectrum.[1] According to a 2019 report, 90% of autistic Auticon employees were unemployed before joining the company, with half unemployed for more than 5 years.[2]
History
[edit | edit source]Auticon was founded in 2011 by Dirk Müller-Remus, whose son is on the autism spectrum.[2] The company received initial investment from the Munich-based Ananda Social Venture Fund.[2] The launch was inspired by Belgian company Passwerk, which also employs people on the autism spectrum.[2]
The company's employment model has received international attention. In 2013, Auticon presented at the G8 Social Impact Investment Forum in London, where it was featured alongside other social enterprises addressing employment challenges.[3] International media outlets including CNN, BBC News, and Al Jazeera have covered the company's approach to autism employment.[4]
Expansion
[edit | edit source]In October 2016, Auticon received investment from Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and the UK charity Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to support its UK expansion.[5] Branson stated: "Employment rates amongst autistic adults are a hugely challenging social issue in the UK and globally."[5]
In 2018, Auticon acquired MindSpark, a Santa Monica, California-based company founded in 2013 by Gray Benoist, whose two sons are on the autism spectrum.[4]
As of 2019, the company operates in the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, France, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, and Italy.[2]
Business model
[edit | edit source]Auticon exclusively employs adults on the autism spectrum as IT consultants, providing them with support through job coaches and adapted work environments.[1] The company reported that 32% of its consultants have a Master's degree or higher, despite 85% having been unemployed or underemployed before joining.[6]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Auticon's CEO David Aspinall wrote in CNBC that the company's autistic employees adapted well to remote work, noting that "people with autism often prefer to interface via a precise text or email rather than verbal or face-to-face conversations."[1]
The employment model has been studied in the context of neurodiversity in the workplace. A 2017 Harvard Business Review article on "Neurodiversity as a Competitive Advantage" cited companies including SAP, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, and Microsoft as examples of organizations reforming HR processes to access neurodiverse talent.[7]
Awards
[edit | edit source]- 2013: IQ Award[2]
- 2014: BITKOM Innovator's Pitch[8]
- 2015: Deutsche Bank, Land der Ideen[9]
- 2015: New Work Award[10]
- 2015: Sonderpreis, Deutscher Gründerpreis[11]
- 2017: Social Enterprise UK Awards, One to Watch Award[12]
- 2019: Milestone Autism Resources "Visionary Employer Award"[13]
- 2020: Fast Company World Changing Ideas[14]
See also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b c d Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c d e f g Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
External links
[edit | edit source]Lua error in Module:Authority_control at line 153: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).