Beyond the 'neurodivergent genius' myth: the reality of being a neurodivergent founder
"I can't think in here."
Those words escaped my lips during my time with Techstars (a 13-week accelerator), as the overhead lighting in our open workspace triggered yet another headache, making it nearly impossible to focus on building Understanding Zoe - a platform designed to help neurodivergent children and their families.
The irony wasn't lost on me. Here I was, creating a solution for neurodivergent children while struggling with my own neurodivergent needs in a workspace that wasn't designed for brains like mine.
When I finally spoke up about the issue - a request many might not consider 'normal' in a professional setting - I was incredibly grateful that the Managing Director, Kirstin Hunter, and the team listened. They asked the building to install dimmer controls, allowing me to adjust the lighting in certain areas of the office.
What happened next surprised everyone: the entire office preferred the softer lighting. What was essential for me turned out to be better for everyone. They just hadn't been aware of their own needs.
This moment crystallised something I've observed repeatedly as a neurodivergent founder: the accommodations that make environments accessible for us often improve conditions for everyone.
The 'Neurodivergent Genius' narrative
With 1 in 5 people identifying as neurodivergent, public conversations about neurodiversity in business are becoming more common.
While these stories are inspiring, they've contributed to a problematic narrative: the myth that 'neurodivergent = genius' - that our different ways of thinking automatically confer some magical business advantage.
This narrative isn't just oversimplified; it creates unrealistic expectations for neurodivergent individuals and masks the very real challenges we face.
As Sonny Jane Wise describes in The Neurodiversity Smorgasbord, neurodivergence is "an alternative framework for understanding differences outside of diagnostic labels." It's not a one-size-fits-all experience, and its impact on business and entrepreneurship is deeply individual.
The reality is far more nuanced. Neurodivergence isn't some automatic ticket to success. It's a source of both strengths and challenges that vary tremendously from person to person.
Some challenges we face as neurodivergent
Being a neurodivergent founder means operating in a business landscape that often isn't designed for our needs:
Sensory sensitivities can make standard office environments, networking events, and conferences physically overwhelming
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) can transform routine investor feedback into deeply personal emotional experiences
Executive function challenges require different approaches to time management and productivity
'Fitting in' in the entrepreneurial space can feel like a constant performance
Conversations about neurodivergent founders often gloss over the emotional and mental toll of constantly adapting to neurotypical spaces and expectations.
Research shows that neurodivergent individuals experience higher rates of burnout, and founders are no exception. This burnout isn't just about working long hours. It's the accumulation of sensory overload, masking, and the pressure to conform to neurotypical expectations.
For years, I engaged in masking - presenting a version of myself that's easier for others to understand but exhausting to maintain. The constant performance, combined with managing sensory sensitivities and perfectionism, makes burnout a genuine risk in high-pressure environments like entrepreneurship.
How to work with our own challenges as neurodivergent
I don't want anyone who is neurodivergent to think they can't thrive in the world of business. There are many advantages that have helped me grow multiple businesses in my entrepreneurial journey, as well as help many other business owners and startups do the same.
Here are some traits of my own neurodivergence that have helped me thrive but that are highly personal:
Hyperfocus: When deeply engaged, I can work for hours without distraction, allowing me to solve complex problems efficiently
Pattern recognition: I often see connections and trends that others miss, which has been invaluable in business strategy
Creativity & outside-the-box thinking: Many neurodivergent entrepreneurs excel at innovation because our brains work differently
Resilience & adaptability: Navigating neurotypical spaces has taught me how to adapt quickly and develop my own systems
And while I mentioned the disadvantages, I have managed to develop powerful strategies to work with my neurodivergent brain rather than against it.
For example, I use time-boxing religiously - setting strict limits on tasks and breaking my day into structured blocks, including dedicated time to rest and recover.
One of my personal productivity secrets is 'body doubling' - having someone work alongside me, either in person or virtually. It sounds simple, but having another person present, even if they're doing their own work, dramatically improves my focus.
To manage RSD, I've built what I call my 'cheerleading squad' - a trusted circle that provides constructive feedback in ways I can process without spiralling into self-doubt. Without this support system, investor meetings and high-stakes conversations would quickly become overwhelming.
My resilience and productivity come from working in ways that honour my needs - designing sensory-friendly workspaces, using body doubling, and creating rhythms that support my strengths without pushing me to burnout - instead of trying to fit into a rigid mould.
Creating a neuro-inclusive world
My journey as a neurodivergent founder isn't just about my experience. It's about creating a world where my daughter Zoe, who is autistic, can thrive without facing the same struggles.
I saw this come to life in the most tangible way. Zoe stayed home for a day of homeschooling and completed her entire day's schoolwork in just one hour.
When I asked her how she did it so quickly, she said: "I did my work very well because there is no noise. It's quiet. I don't feel distracted. I don't feel overwhelmed."
At nine years old, she already understands what she needs to thrive - a calm, structured environment without sensory overload. In the right conditions, she exceeds expectations.
This is exactly why I created Understanding Zoe - to help parents, educators, and healthcare providers better support neurodivergent children. By combining AI assistance with human expertise, we're building tools that honour neurodivergent experiences rather than trying to 'fix' them.
How entrepreneurs can thrive as neurodivergent
The lighting adjustment at Techstars wasn't just about making the workspace more comfortable for me. It was a small but significant step toward creating environments where founders of all neurotypes can bring their full selves to the table.
With 1.6 billion neurodivergent people worldwide, the opportunity to create a more inclusive business landscape is immense. It starts with recognising that neurodivergence isn't a uniform experience or an automatic superpower - it's as diverse as the people who live it.
For me, success hasn't come from some inherent 'neurodivergent advantage.' It's come from understanding my unique needs, creating environments that support them, and surrounding myself with people who value my perspective.
As we evolve the conversation around neurodivergence in entrepreneurship, let's move beyond simplistic narratives and embrace the full complexity of our experiences - both the challenges and the strengths.
By doing so, we create pathways for more neurodivergent founders to succeed, not by conforming to neurotypical standards, but by working in ways that truly honour how our brains function.
And those dimmer switches in the Techstars office? They're still there, benefiting everyone who works in that space - a small reminder that accommodations for neurodivergence don't just help those who need them most. They often make the world better for everyone.