What if the boldest disruption a startup could make isn’t in what they build—but in who they choose to empower?
Despite valuing innovation, many startup leaders still overlook the strategic edge neurodiverse talent brings to growth and problem-solving. In Asia’s fast-paced startup scene, where scaling quickly and hiring smart matters most, this isn’t just a missed chance—it’s a costly blind spot.
Hazleen Ahmad steps into this gap with conviction. Through Neuropower World, she’s reshaping how we view leadership and inclusion—blending neuroscience, neurotech, and lived experience. For founders looking to stand out and hire smarter, this isn’t just inspiring. It’s a blueprint for competitive advantage.
At the intersection of science and compassion, Hazleen’s work taps into what every founder craves: a sustainable edge in a crowded market. And as you’ll see, that edge starts by rethinking what difference truly means.
Key Takeaways
- Neurodiversity is a strength — not a barrier — and can drive innovation in startups and beyond.
- Inclusive leadership begins with rethinking systems, from recruitment to culture and collaboration.
- Empowering women and youth through neuro-inclusive approaches creates lasting, systemic change.
Highlights
From Lenses to Leadership: The Neuropower Approach
Q: What inspired you to establish Neuropower World, and what key impact do you aim to achieve?
A: At Neuropower World, we believe turning awareness into action is key to meaningful change. The inspiration comes from lived experience—where leading differently means embracing the unconventional, challenging norms, and creating space for others to share their truths.
My journey as a Neurodiverse leader has been central to this vision. My lived experience reveals the untapped power of embracing differences—not as challenges to overcome, but as transformative strengths. This perspective drives our mission to unlock neurodiverse strengths—like creativity, problem-solving, and focus—and position them as competitive advantages.
Neuropower serves as a bridge, connecting cutting-edge research, technology, and industry expertise to foster environments where neurodiverse talent can thrive. By rethinking leadership, collaboration, and innovation through a neuro-inclusive lens, we aim to empower individuals and organizations alike.
Ultimately, Neuropower is about driving systemic change. We are building a future where diversity is not just acknowledged but celebrated as the foundation of progress.
Q: How does Neuropower World combine neuroscience, neurodiversity, and neurotechnology to create real change?
A: At Neuropower World, we are disrupting industries one step at a time with a multifaceted approach that integrates consultancy, education, and research. This positions us as leaders in the neurodiversity movement across the MENA and APAC regions. Our work demonstrates how diverse leadership can drive meaningful social change, foster a culture of kindness, and ignite innovation in business and investment.
By bridging science and society, Neuropower unlocks the brilliance of neurodiverse championing neurodiversity as a powerful catalyst for innovation. Through tailored solutions, we empower individuals, businesses, and educators to embrace new possibilities, rethink traditional systems, and create environments where neurodiverse talent thrives.
Our mission is simple yet transformative: to redefine leadership, reshape industries, and show the world how inclusivity fuels progress and sparks ground-breaking ideas.
Q: What challenges have you faced in expanding Neuropower World across different regions, and how have you adapted?
A: Expanding Neuropower across MENA and APAC has presented a variety of challenges, each rooted in unique cultural, social, and economic landscapes. One of the primary hurdles has been addressing varying levels of awareness and understanding of neurodiversity. In some regions, the conversation around neurodiversity is still in its infancy, requiring us to focus heavily on education and advocacy before introducing practical solutions.
Another challenge has been navigating differing workplace norms and organizational structures. Tailoring our approach to local contexts while staying true to our mission has been a delicate balance. We adapt by engaging local leaders, partnering with regional experts, and embedding cultural nuances to ensure our initiatives resonate and gain traction.
Regulatory frameworks and access to neurotechnology vary across regions, affecting how quickly we implement new solutions. To overcome this, we collaborate with researchers, educators, and policymakers to align with each market’s realities.
It’s here that Ipshita Sen, Co-founder and Managing Director of Neuropower World, plays a pivotal role. Ipshita and I have known each other since our time working together in the Middle East, and our collaboration is built on shared values and a long-standing commitment to systems change. A neurodiverse leader with global experience across MENA, the UK, and Southeast Asia, she brings the strategic clarity and cross-cultural insight needed to navigate complex regulatory environments and drive innovation. Her ability to translate vision into scalable, tech-enabled solutions – while remaining grounded in cultural and community realities; is helping us accelerate our impact across key markets.
Ultimately, these challenges have strengthened our resolve and pushed us to innovate further. By fostering a global mindset with local insight, Neuropower continues to grow as a catalyst for change and a bridge between science, society, and industry.
Q: How does your work in neurodiversity align with your advocacy for women and youth empowerment?
A: Our work sits at the intersection of neurodiversity, neuroscience, and neurotechnology. We are driven by a mission to create opportunities for neurominorities—especially women and youth.
We aim to bridge the gap between science and society through both grassroots initiatives and policy-level advocacy. These efforts span regions like Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Our commitment is clear: to disrupt traditional systems with innovative solutions that create impact across people, peace, and the planet.
Women and neurodivergent individuals, who represent approximately 15-20% of the global population, often face unique challenges. Many neurodivergent women have been socially conditioned to “mask” their traits, adapting to environments that don’t accommodate their needs. My advocacy work seeks to dismantle these pressures by creating spaces where they can be authentically themselves like Circle of Trust and ATC Nation celebrating their differences as strengths rather than challenges to overcome.
This vision is embodied in ATC, a global movement using nature as a classroom to build growth, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills. Unlike typical adventure clubs, ATC blends outdoor experiences with structured learning. It helps women and youth reconnect with themselves, build resilience, and develop the confidence to lead authentically.
By aligning neurodiversity with women and youth empowerment, I drive systemic change—ensuring diverse talents are celebrated and future generations thrive through their unique strengths.
Q: What do you see as the biggest opportunity for businesses to create truly neuro-inclusive workplaces?
A: The biggest opportunity for businesses lies in understanding that neuro-inclusion is not just an ethical responsibility but a strategic advantage. Neurodiverse individuals bring unique strengths that can drive innovation and growth. However, unlocking this potential requires more than awareness; it demands customized strategies tailored to each organization’s unique needs.
This is where Neuropower plays a pivotal role as a marketplace that bridges science, technology, and industry expertise. We work with organizations to reflect on their current practices and provide customized solutions that make neuro-inclusivity actionable. From rethinking recruitment to workplace adjustments and neurotechnology, Neuropower connects businesses with tools and knowledge for inclusive environments.
Partnering with Neuropower helps businesses go beyond awareness, harness neurodiverse talent, and lead in building inclusive, future-ready workplaces.
The Future of Work is Neuro-Inclusive
As Asia’s startup ecosystem matures, the true leaders won’t just offer sleek UIs or perfect code. They’ll build with intention. They’ll lead with empathy. And they’ll scale with inclusion at their core.
Hazleen Ahmad and Neuropower World remind us that neuro-inclusivity isn’t just a moral choice. It’s a roadmap to smarter teams and lasting impact. Founders and investors often chase the next big thing. But what if it starts within—through culture, leadership, and inclusive thinking?
When we create spaces where every brain belongs, we build more than just better workplaces. We shape a future that’s bolder, kinder, and profoundly human.
Highlights
Read the article in Chinese here.
