Neurodiverse IT consultancies Auticon and Unicus merge
Auticon, a Munich-based IT consultancy that employs autistic professionals, has agreed to merge with Unicus, an Oslo-based IT consultancy that employs autistic professionals.
Founded in 2009, Unicus has approximately 175 people across offices in Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
The deal was brokered by Ferd, an Oslo-based investment company that is the largest shareholder in both companies and lead investor in the combined firm. Ferd invested in Unicus in 2009 and Auticon in 2018.
Other investors include Autism Impact Fund, Felix Porsche, and Richard Branson.
The two companies will combine under the umbrella of Auticon GmbH, a future joint holding company of shareholders from Auticon and Unicus.
“By our marriage, we create the world’s largest autistic-majority corporation. With the focus on neurodiversity, we will continue to create unique results for our customers and an increased quality of life for our employees,” said Lars Johansson-Kjellerød, founder and CEO of Unicus.
The combined company will have 575 employees, 465 of whom (81%) are on the autism spectrum. The firm expects to surpass €50 million in revenue and 600+ employees by the end of 2023.
Founded in 2011 in Germany, Auticon expanded into Canada in 2020, where it currently has a Calgary office and approximately 20 employees, according to LinkedIn. Auticon also has offices throughout Western Europe, the US, Australia, and New Zealand.
“This alliance is great news for autistic individuals worldwide as it will enhance and strengthen the support they will have in developing sustainable, successful careers in STEM,” said Garth Johnson, CEO of Auticon Canada. “We are looking forward to working together on exciting new initiatives in the years to come.”
The UK Office for National Statistics estimates that less than 29% of autistic adults have any form of meaningful employment. They face barriers such as exclusionary recruitment processes, poor autism awareness, and exclusionary work processes.
Auticon and Unicus together provide IT services in data science, software development, cybersecurity, AI, and quality assurance and testing to clients across 14 countries.
