ND Axon

Meet ND Axon.

ND Axon is a pioneering deep tech startup committed to unleashing human potential by revolutionizing neurodivergent diagnostics and workplace inclusivity. Our AI-powered tools are designed for the passive detection of multiple neuro-conditions, helping to streamline diagnosis processes and deliver significant benefits. With a projected 1.6 million hours in annual savings for NHS mental health services, our technology addresses the urgent need to reduce long waiting times for conditions like ADHD, autism, and dyslexia. 

Our Employment Passport tool empowers employers to create inclusive environments for neurodivergent talent, ensuring workplaces are equipped to support everyone. Backed by cutting-edge research from the University of Manchester, newly partnered with the University of Edinburgh and partnerships with the NHS, ND Axon is creating a future where neurodiversity is fully understood, valued, and embraced.

ND Axon

The Team

Zachary Whitely 

Jazzmine Washington 

Steven Wright 

About Us

At ND Axon, we are on a mission to transform how neurodiversity is understood and supported across healthcare and workplaces. Our journey is driven by the vision of Michael Jakubiak, a socially responsible founder whose personal experience as a gay individual with ADHD and dyslexia gives him unique insight into the challenges and strengths associated with neurodiversity. With 15 years of professional expertise in financial services, recruitment, cybersecurity and business, Michael leads ND Axon with a deep commitment to creating solutions that address neurodivergent diagnostics and foster inclusivity in the workforce. 

Michael’s innovative solution has been recognized with multiple accolades, including the Medilink Start-up Award in Health Innovation, and nominations for Pro-Manchester’s Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award and Innovation Professional of the Year. His drive to improve neurodiversity outcomes in both health and employment has set ND Axon on a path to developing groundbreaking technologies.

Our team is equally passionate and brings diverse expertise to the table. 

Zachary Whitley, our UX and Product lead, brings his experience designing applications for the NHS, ensuring that our tools are user-friendly and impactful. Dr. Arijit De, from the University of Manchester, leads our R&D efforts in algorithms development, helping us refine the neurodivergent diagnostic tools that will reshape how conditions like ADHD, autism, and dyslexia are assessed and managed. 

Anthony Harrison, our Secure Architecture Consultant, combines a love for technology with entrepreneurial spirit. He is the founder of APH10, where he developed SBOM—a cutting-edge software tool that allows users to identify the components that software code is built upon. Anthony’s deep technical knowledge ensures that ND Axon’s technology is both innovative and secure, as he continues to push the boundaries of cybersecurity in our solutions.

Beyond our professional expertise, we are a team with varied passions that shape our approach to innovation. Michael’s love for adventure, whether in business or trekking through Europe’s mountains or sailing across the Baltic Sea, inspires him to challenge the status quo and push boundaries. Zachary’s passion for design extends into his personal life, where he explores the intersection of art and technology, with a particular interest in photography. Anthony’s entrepreneurial mindset and passion for technology keep him at the forefront of innovation, continually developing new solutions like SBOM to solve complex challenges and spreading his knowledge across the whole world.At ND Axon, we are more than just a tech company; we are a community of innovators, each driven by the desire to make a real difference. Through our AI-powered diagnostic tools and inclusive HR technology, we are breaking down barriers to create more inclusive healthcare and workplace environments where everyone can thrive.

Problem

Globally, an estimated 350 million adults with neurodivergent conditions like ADHD, autism, and dyslexia remain undiagnosed in the workplace. Many face long waiting times for diagnosis, with NHS backlogs extending up to seven years, preventing timely support and interventions that are critical to their well-being and professional success. Additionally, 50% of hiring managers lack the knowledge to hire or retain neurodivergent talent, and in some tech subsectors, as much as 85% of talent is neurodivergent, with 50% unaware of their neurodiversity status. ND Axon’s AI-powered tools passively detect multiple neuro-conditions, streamlining the diagnostic process and saving 1.6 million hours annually for NHS mental health services. By helping employers create more inclusive environments, our solutions can boost productivity by up to 67% and dramatically improve retention of neurodivergent talent.

Solution

The Employment Passport is a cutting-edge diagnostic tool that helps businesses support neurodivergent talent without asking users a single question about their conditions. By passively identifying neurodivergent individuals—many of whom may be unaware of their status—it provides personalized insights while offering employers an aggregated report on the percentage of neurodivergent staff. For the first time, executives can take informed action—knowing, for example, that out of 100 staff, 35 are neurodivergent. This data-driven approach empowers companies to create inclusive environments, boosting productivity by up to 67% and dramatically improving talent retention, all while respecting employees' privacy.

Market

ND Axon is positioned to unlock significant opportunities in a growing market. Our tools, such as the Employment Passport and neurodivergent diagnostic solutions, cater to employers across industries like technology, consulting, engineering, and entrepreneurship—sectors where neurodivergent talent is highly prevalent. Currently, our sales pipeline includes 27 companies, including notable names such as Accenture, Novartis, and BAE Systems, with a potential annual recurring revenue (ARR) of £1.8 million.In the healthcare sector, our goal is to distribute our diagnostic tools across all 200 NHS Trusts and over 9,000 GP practices once we qualify as a medical device. This will drastically reduce neurodivergent diagnosis waiting times, saving 1.6 million hours annually for NHS mental health services. Beyond the NHS, our market also includes 218 private hospitals and over 13,170 psychiatrists, expanding our reach in both public and private healthcare sectors​​.