A new UK government-backed report has found that neurodivergent entrepreneurs have huge potential and the ability to significantly boost the UK economy, but are being held back by systems not set up to meet their needs. The report by Small Business Britain, backed by Lloyds and eBay, reveals that over half of those surveyed went into entrepreneurship due to issues with traditional workplaces, and over 60% said barriers specifically relating to being ND have stopped them from scaling.
Source: Pixabay
Key Findings
• Report documents the presence of entrepreneurial drive and ambition within the neurodivergent community, but shows current systems are not set up to boost success. • Almost two thirds (61% of 629 respondents) put off starting or scaling a business due to the barriers related to being neurodivergent • Following last year’s govt-backed Lilac Review’s final report calling for major action to back Disabled entrepreneurs, this further report aimed to uncover financial, operational and accessibility barriers impacting neurodivergent entrepreneurs specifically • Disabled entrepreneurs represent 25% of the UK’s 5.7 million small businesses, but just 8.6% of business turnover • Neurodivergent community showed impressive entrepreneurial spirit, with more than half surveyed taking the entrepreneurial route after difficulties with traditional work settings • Focus group attendees spoke of the superpower of their neurodivergence, giving them key business skills including a highly tuned attention to detail
Comfort in Entrepreneurship
Highly ambitious neurodivergent entrepreneurs have the potential to drive huge economic growth but are let down by systems which fail to consider their needs from the start.
More than three quarters (76%) of those surveyed went into business to be able to work more flexibly and in ways in keeping with their needs, demonstrating a huge capacity for entrepreneurship. Over half (53%) reported that difficulties fitting into traditional workplaces pushed them into business ownership but tailored advice was shown to be scarce, with more than half of respondents saying they struggled to find neurodivergent-accessible support.
Barriers to Resources
A lack of neurodivergent-accessible help can stunt businesses right from the start, with 61% of respondents saying they avoided starting or scaling up a business because of barriers related to being neurodivergent. Respondents also highlighted the need for lived experience and mentorship from those who understand the neurodivergent outlook, with 65% saying that help from someone who understands neurodivergent entrepreneurship would have been helpful.
The report provides one of the most detailed snapshots of the current business environment for those who identify as neurodivergent and shows that barriers to entry are stopping founders from reaching their full potential, rather than a lack of ambition. It uncovers the very real opportunity making existing systems and frameworks more accessible, structured and simple could open up. Neurodivergent founders are currently spending too much time navigating systems, rather than growing and scaling their businesses.
Overlooked Entrepreneurial Strengths
Despite the barriers, the neurodivergent business community spoke of the entrepreneurial skills being neurodivergent provides, with focus group members and interviewees describing a high level of attention to detail, a strong drive to succeed and a skill for focus.
One entrepreneur described their neurodivergence as “their greatest strength”.
The economic potential of broader and more tailored support for the neurodivergent community starts with boosted confidence, meaning uptake improves, and implementation rates rise. The data suggests that when this happens burnout and dropout reduces, leading to faster scaling overall.
Michelle Ovens CBE, CEO and founder of Small Business Britain said: “Neurodivergent entrepreneurs represent a huge and often under-recognised source of innovation, creativity and economic growth for the UK. This report highlights not only the significant ambition and potential within this community, but also the barriers that continue to prevent neurodivergent entrepreneurs from both starting and growing successful businesses. We know that tailored support for this community leads to higher confidence, allowing entrepreneurs to stick to their business plans with less burnout, which in turn allows for faster growth. If we are serious about building a more productive, inclusive and dynamic economy, we must ensure that entrepreneurial support, finance, networks and opportunities are accessible to all.”
Path Forward for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs
Overall, the report calls for: • Financial and business systems to consider ND access from the start, not as an add on • Less focus on jargon and polished presentation • Neurodivergent-accessible finance pathways across the full system • Investment in neurodivergent-led peer communities as core infrastructure
Specific Recommendations
The report makes eight recommendations to the UK Government, financial services and business support organisations – including designing neurodivergent-aware business support as standard, creating neurodivergent-accessible finance pathways across the full system and investing in neurodivergent-led peer communities as core infrastructure.
1. Design neurodivergent-aware business support as standard
Make mainstream programmes flexible, modular and accessible by default, so they work for different communication styles, processing speeds and sensory needs rather than relying on specialist or separate provision
2. Reform Access to Work and the benefits system for self-employed and entrepreneurial founders
Create clearer, faster and more predictable support for founders,including improved Access to Work continuity and guidance, and benefits rules and decision-making that reflect irregular self-employment income and do not penalise founders as they start or grow
3. Reduce administrative complexity across all business-facing systems
Lower the cognitive burden created by complex forms, opaque criteria and rigid digital processes through plain English, transparency, universal design principles and flexible application formats
4. Create neurodivergent-accessible finance pathways across the full system
Ensure founders can navigate and access the full range of finance options through clear signposting and guided routes, and can present business cases in formats that do not penalise different communication styles, from credit applications through to equity pitches
5. Invest in neurodivergent-led peer communities as core infrastructure
Fund neurodivergent-led networks as essential business infrastructure that reduces isolation, supports learning and creates safe spaces without the need for masking
6. Recognise and fund AI and digital tools as reasonable adjustments
Include AI subscriptions and digital productivity tools within Access to Work eligible expenditure, and fund digital literacy programmes designed for neurodivergent entrepreneurs
7. Specify neurodivergent-friendly procurement and trading standards
Strengthen the Disability Trading Framework with specific guidance on plain English contracts, flexible meeting formats, sensory-considerate environments and clear communication expectations
8. Establish a national neurodivergent entrepreneurship evidence programme
Create an ongoing national research and data programme to track outcomes and barriers over time, positioning the UK as a global leader in neurodivergent entrepreneurship policy
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms said: “Our package of employment support backed by £3.5 billion of investment reflects our determination to move from a welfare state to a working state, and to ensure the system works for everyone.
“Access to Work is also a lifeline for disabled people and neurodivergent entrepreneurs, but too many have been waiting far too long for the support they need. That’s why we’re recruiting nearly 500 new staff, eliminating payment delays and clearing the backlog to get people the help they deserve faster.”
Many survey respondents for the report admitted to feeling concerned about admitting their status, with only 7% feeling that other businesses understand or accommodate their needs, showing the scale of the issue but also the potential scale of the impact if recommendations are followed. Only half (51%) said they would feel comfortable discussing their neurodivergence, and only in certain circumstances.
Supporting Work
The new report follows on from the landmark The Lilac Review, launched in February 2024 to raise opportunity for Disabled founders. Disabled entrepreneurs represent 25% of the UK’s 5.7 million small businesses, but just 8.6% of business turnover. The Lilac Centre, the UK’s first flagship business incubator and research hub entirely dedicated to advancing the success of Disabled, d/Deaf, and neurodivergent entrepreneurs, was launched following the review.
“At eBay, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to start and grow a business, regardless of their background or circumstances. It is clear that neurodivergent founders bring valuable perspectives, creativity and innovation to the business community, yet too many face unnecessary barriers to starting and scaling. By making entrepreneurship more accessible and inclusive, we can unlock ambition and economic impact that benefits the whole of the UK.” commented Eve Williams, VP and GM at eBay UK.
Chris Loring, Head of Commercial Lending and Working Capital at Lloyds said “Neurodivergent entrepreneurs have huge potential to drive growth, innovation and jobs across the UK, and this report highlights why more inclusive systems matter. We are proud of the foundational role we’ve played in building the national infrastructure that supports disabled and neurodivergent entrepreneurs. As a founding partner of the Lilac Centre – the UK’s first national incubator dedicated to supporting the success of Disabled, d/Deaf, and neurodivergent entrepreneurs – Lloyds helps provide sustained access to networking, masterclasses and mentoring, embedding long‑term support.”
About Report Author: Small Business Britain
Small Business Britain is the UK’s leading champion of small businesses, supporting the UK’s 5.7 million small businesses, no matter their location, their sector, or their ambition level.
Through a series of campaigns, networks, training and reports, Small Business Britain champions and informs small businesses in the UK. Committed to making entrepreneurship as inclusive as possible, it brings small business owners together to foster growth and increased confidence.
Postscript:
A word about language from the research authors.
The term “neurodiversity” recognises that differences in how people think, learn and process information are a natural part of human variation. Within this framework, “neurodivergence” refers to individuals whose cognitive functioning differs from what is often considered typical.
“Neurodivergent” is therefore used as a non-medical term to describe people whose brains function, learn or process information differently from dominant norms. This can include conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia and others.We recognise that neurodivergence encompasses a wide range of experiences, and that many individuals have more than one neurodivergent condition or other co-occurring health or disability needs.While these differences are important, this report uses “neurodivergent entrepreneurs” as an umbrella term in order to identify shared systemic barriers and highlight practical changes that could improve entrepreneurship for a broad range of founders
