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Unicus and auticon came together in 2023, becoming the largest autistic-majority company in the world.

In each case, the company’s origins were inspired by a founder’s vision for improving the lives of autistic professionals and solving a crisis of unemployment. By recognising strong abilities possessed by many autistic people, such as in STEM, pattern matching, detecting software errors, and following complex protocols – career paths in technology became clear.

In 2008, in Oslo, Lars Johansson-Kjellerød founded Unicus to make a difference, he came from the financial industry but saw the business potential in the combination of autism and Information Technology. Unicus first customer was Telenor. Since its inception, Unicus has contributed expertise in software testing, software development and Data engineering and has successful partnerships with, among others, Vattenfall, DNB, Statnett, SEB, H&M, and Equinor.

As part of Ferd’s social entrepreneurship portfolio, the Norwegian investor helped Unicus expand to Sweden in 2017 and later to Finland in 2019, including an investment in the social enterprise Specialisterren in The Netherlands, which operates under a similar model.

In 2023, auticon and Unicus, entered an agreement under which the companies would unite. The historic deal established a global model for an autistic-majority social enterprise and ESG company, addressing the inequalities in employment for neurodivergent adults. The two combined companies became the largest autistic-majority company in the world, with 81% of its 600 employees on the autism spectrum. By the end of 2023, the combined organization had reached 15 countries by opening in Poland and Ireland.

Press Contact

Thank you for your interest in covering Unicus. I look forward to speaking with you.

Christian Ursin-Holm
Email: moc.s1726599727ucinu1726599727@huc1726599727
Location: Oslo
Time zone: CET
Language: Norsk, Engelsk

Publications

Global Impact Reports

2023 Global Impact Report

2022 Global Impact Report

2021 Global Impact Report (Published 2022)

2021 Global Impact Report (Languages: Italian, English, and German)

2021 Global Impact Report (Languages: French, English, German)

2020 Global Impact Report (Languages: French, English, German)

auticon + Deloitte Report, “Embracing Neurodiversity at Work” 2022

A new report by Deloitte Canada and auticon Canada finds employment barriers, lack of workplace support for Canada’s autistic community. The joint report surveyed 454 adults across the country.

2022 auticon + Deloitte Report, “Embracing Neurodiversity at Work” (English)

A posted image from LinkedIn showing a journalistic story called "Supporting neurodiversity at work"

News Coverage

Impact investors join forces to back largest autistic-majority company

Impact Investor

Creating a world-leading employer for people with autism

Ferd

Auticon and Unicus join forces

Virgin

Ny leder og nye steder

Computer World

•April 2, 2024

Report highlights autistic-majority employer’s success in creating a neurodiverse work culture and its effort to drive global social change

In recognizing April as Autism Acceptance Month, auticon and Unicus today published their 2023 Impact Report, Scaling our Impact.

Video image of auticon Group CEO Kurt Schöffer

•July 27, 2023

Video: auticon Group CEO Kurt Schöffer on joining forces with Unicus

Kurt Schöffer announces that global IT firms auticon and Unicus have entered into an agreement under which the two companies will unite. The deal was brokered by Ferd, an Oslo-based family-owned investment company and shareholder in both companies. The historic deal establishes a global model for an autistic-majority social enterprise and ESG company, addressing the inequalities in employment for neurodivergent adults. By joining forces, auticon and Unicus increase potential for creating value for customers, employees, and society – in existing...

•June 28, 2023

Nathalie’s commitment opens many doors

Commitment spreads, both in the workplace and outside. In the role of consultant and internal safety representative, Nathalie has opened several doors where she can contribute in several ways. She is the energy spreader who does not hesitate to improve small and big things in her workday. For a couple of years now, Nathalie has been working as an IT consultant at Unicus. Today, she mainly works with monitoring for different types of processes at H&M. As soon as our...

•June 22, 2023

But it’s incredible to be at work again. To be able to talk about subjects and experience that my ideas and suggestions are heard, and to get recognition for the work you do!

Steffen has been programming since he was a child. He started studies in statistics at NTNU, but struggled with social life and felt that he did not fit in.

•June 14, 2023

Creating a world-leading employer for people with autism – Unicus & auticon join forces!

The combined company will have operations in 14 countries, and expects a turnover of 50 million euros and more than 600 employees by the end of 2023. Almost 500 of the employees, more than 80 percent, in the new company will be on the autism spectrum, and we know of no company in the world that has a larger proportion.

•June 3, 2022

“There are many who are not extroverted and it is not so easy to just decide to be extroverted”

There are many who are not extroverted and it is not so easy to just decide to be extroverted. Then there should be opportunities for us who are not, Jan Kristian says.