Matthew is a current PhD student at the University of Bath where he has completed both his undergraduate and master’s degrees. Matthew only learned to read and write at the age of 17, having been excluded from education for 10 years after being removed from school at age seven. This was due to behavioural challenges which are now recognised as neurodivergent.

At the University of Bath, Matthew founded EDEN (Employment Devices for Enhancing Neurodiversity), a software organisation designed to streamline the process of identifying and implementing reasonable adjustments for the neurodivergent workforce. His aim is to help those with neurodiversity to be confident in applying for jobs and to thrive at their workplaces.

What inspired you to start your own business?

EDEN actually came from a personal experience. Shortly after starting my PhD, I met an incredibly intelligent individual who was struggling at work because their neurodivergent needs weren’t being met. Their employer didn't seem to know how to help support them, and they didn’t know either. Each side assumed the other would know what to do but neither did. This misunderstanding led this person being burned out and unwell which was really hard to see.

It seemed crazy to me that there wasn’t a straightforward way to bridge this communication gap. It reminded me of the time when I helped connect staff and children who didn’t understand one another, and I wondered if I could do something similar in the workplace which then led to EDEN.

EDEN came from me wanting to help one person but grew into this thing that is trying to help everyone.

What early stage business support have you received?

EDEN actually started at SETsquared Bath. I took part in both the START and FWD programmes, which were funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA), and they helped me transform my idea into a viable business.

Through these initiatives, I accessed mentoring from Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiRs) and Advisors in Residence (AiRs), as well as workshops and networking events tailored to early-stage founders. This support was instrumental in shaping EDEN and developing my confidence as a founder.

What challenges have you experienced in starting your own business?

There’s been a few challenges, but you could say it all comes down to communication, ironically, as it’s the very issue EDEN is trying to solve!

With EDEN I am faced with the major question: ‘How do you offer a standardised solution to something as individual as neurodiversity at work?’, as the two seem very opposite.

Then there’s the challenge of transitioning from the entrepreneurial space and into the business domain. I had to learn how to communicate to businesses EDEN’s values and potential to improve productivity, enhance inclusivity, and be of monetary value.

Because EDEN is a B2B company, I also needed to appeal to corporate decision-makers, while building something that neurodivergent individuals would feel safe and comfortable using.

How did you overcome these challenges?

SETsquared was incredibly helpful for this. The mentoring and workshops through the START and FWD programmes were a huge help in helping me reframe my idea as a business opportunity and how to pitch EDEN effectively.

One big takeaway I got from the workshops, was just how different business language is compared to academia or everyday conversation. It reminded me of when I first learned to read and write and realised people speak differently from how they write. Because SETsquared is so hands on, I learned quite quickly how to communicate EDEN to others in terms of ‘value creation’, ‘cost saving’, and ‘return on investment’.

You could say SETsquared nurtured me from an innocent, naive researcher into a potential business tycoon. One day, we’ll see!

What impact have you been able to achieve through your work?

EDEN is still in the prototyping stage, but I think it’s already making an impact through spreading awareness. Whenever I talk about EDEN, I’m often invited back to companies to give talks on neurodivergent inclusion. The feedback I get back from those sessions, especially from employees who tell me how impactful it is for them, has been amazing. It really makes me think that if my speeches are already having this kind of impact, then EDEN will be massive.

History works in cycles, and we’ve had already two major social revolutions in the 100 years or so. First were women suffragettes, and the second was ethnic minorities and civil rights. I think the next big movement will be neurodiversity and disability in the workplace, but we don’t have a face for it yet and that’s where EDEN can come in. EDEN can change the culture of how people think about neurodiversity and disability in employment.

I think, in many ways, the biggest impact isn’t from me but from everyone else who’s been inspired to share their own stories and experiences. I see myself more as a messenger, or maybe the ‘first penguin off the cliff’? Just someone willing to take that initial leap in trying to bridge the gap for neurodivergent employees and to get that conversation going.

What are your aspirations for the future?

SETsquared has supported EDEN on an institutional level and now I’m looking for support on an investment level. I'm really hoping, to be quite honest, for an Angel investor to take a chance on me and provide funding so we can develop an MVP (Minimum Viable Product).

Ideally someone who gets neurodiversity, either personally or professionally to support its development. I truly believe that in order for EDEN to succeed and bridge that gap between employers and neurodivergent individuals, it has to be built ‘by the community, for the community’. Afterall, it was women and ethnic minorities who were at the forefront campaigning to solve the problems they faced.

Ultimately, I want EDEN to give employers the confidence to hire from the neurodiversity and disability workforce and give those employee’s the confidence to join and thrive at work. Diversity is already in most businesses, but without the right systems, it’s underperforming, misunderstood, or walking out the door. EDEN is the enablement layer that turns neurodivergent potential into business performance.