Event aims to empower neurodivergent founders

A North East business support initiative is giving neurodivergent entrepreneurs a direct voice in shaping how funding and financial support is designed across the region.

The North East Combined Authority has partnered with NatWest Accelerator and neurodivergent-led programme Business Unmasked to deliver Money Talks, an interactive research event taking place on May 11 at The Lumen building, in the Newcastle Helix district.

The session will bring together up to 50 neurodivergent founders to explore their experiences of accessing finance, their relationship with money and the barriers they face when seeking support. 

Insights gathered during the event will be used to inform how future funding and business support is structured in the region.

Supported through the Combined Authority’s Social Fund, the initiative reflects a growing focus on addressing inequalities in access to entrepreneurship and ensuring support systems better reflect diverse needs.

Business Unmasked, founded by neurodivergent entrepreneurs Suzy Jackson from The Technicolour Project and Nicola Jayne Little, from Celebrate Difference, specialises in supporting neurodivergent founders through a blend of business strategy, coaching and peer accountability. 

Its approach underpins the design of the event, which has been tailored to be accessible and participation-led.

Attendees will contribute through facilitated discussions and live polling, with pre-event data gathered via a diagnostic tool helping to shape conversations on the day.

The initiative highlights a shift towards more inclusive policymaking, placing lived experience at the centre of decision-making to create more effective and accessible support for entrepreneurs across the North East.

Nicola said: “Money is personal. For neurodivergent founders, the relationship with finance is shaped by how our brains work.

“Pricing, invoicing, applying for funding, these things aren’t just admin tasks. 

“There are huge opportunities there, but they come with a real emotional weight.

“This event is about understanding that, and making sure the people designing financial support can hear directly from the people who need it.”

Phil Witcherley, director of economic growth and innovation at the North East Combined Authority, added: “The North East has an incredible mix of talent, creativity and ambition, and  want to see more of our businesses and business owners succeed here. 

“By supporting Money Talks, we’re listening directly to neurodivergent founders from across our region and using their experiences to shape finance and business support that works for the North East, not just on paper, but in practice.”

Money Talks is free to attend and open to neurodivergent founders and self-employed people based in the North East. 

Registration is open now. 

Business support providers and organisations interested in the research findings can join a separate interest list.

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