Steps
Steps is a Thai social enterprise operating UK-accredited vocational training centres, cafes and a Business Services Centre that employ neurodivergent trainees, alongside Inclusion Consulting and the NWRC research centre, serving employers, trainees and caregivers across Thailand and ASEAN.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersBangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Steps does
Steps (legal name: Steps Community) is a Thailand-based social enterprise founded in 2016, headquartered in Bangkok, that operates an integrated platform for neuroinclusion: UK-accredited vocational training centres (Bangkok and Phuket), social businesses employing neurodivergent trainees (Steps Cafes and a Business Services Centre), fee-for-service Inclusion Consulting for employers, and the Neurodiversity Workplace Research Centre (NWRC) jointly established with Sasin School of Management. Its core technology stack is a digital accessibility layer (accessiBe, Texthelp ReachDeck, WCAG compliance) overlaid on a curriculum-and-operations model rather than a software product; the company's primary "platform" is its training-to-employment pipeline plus B2B service delivery.
Revenue is generated across five streams: Steps Cafe food and beverage retail (allergen-free menus across multiple Bangkok locations); Business Services Centre B2B outsourcing (document management and data entry delivered by neurodivergent trainees); bakery production sold to B2B partners; fee-based training programmes (Life Skills, Preparation for the Future, Transition to Employment, Summer Programme) and school/parent training; and project-based Inclusion Consulting with employers on DEI strategy and accessible workplace design. The company reinvests 100% of profits into its mission.
Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, anchored on testimonials from parents, trainees and employer partners (including IHG Hotels & Resorts, IKEA Thailand and BayWa r.e.), B Corp certification as a trust signal, and the HR Inclusion Tour co-hosted with ERIA across ASEAN markets. Customer segments split between enterprise B2B (consulting and outsourcing clients), retail consumers (cafe), and individual/family trainees and caregivers. Steps is the first B Corp in Thailand focused on neuroinclusion and has received nasen International Provision of the Year awards in 2021 and 2023.
Steps firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Steps
- Legal name
- Steps Community
- Website
- https://stepscommunity.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Steps is a Thai social enterprise operating UK-accredited vocational training centres, cafes and a Business Services Centre that employ neurodivergent trainees, alongside Inclusion Consulting and the NWRC research centre, serving employers, trainees and caregivers across Thailand and ASEAN.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Steps industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vocational Training and Employment Services for Neurodivergent Individuals
- NAICS
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Job Readiness Training & Soft Skills Development (EDAKANAD), Post-Secondary Transition Planning & Coordination (EDAKANAA), Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services (EDAAAKAO), Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)
Keywords
Where Steps is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bangkok, Bangkok
- HQ country
- Thailand
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
Steps business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Steps Cafe Food & Beverage Sales: Physical cafe operations in Bangkok serving wholesome, allergen-free food and coffee. Cafes function both as revenue-generating retail units and vocational training spaces where trainees gain hospitality experience.
- Business Service Centre Contracts: B2B outsourcing contracts where companies outsource digital and administrative work (document management, data entry) to be completed by neurodivergent trainees and graduates at Steps facilities.
- Bakery Product Sales to B2B Partners: Production of bakery products by trainees for B2B corporate partners, creating paid employment opportunities. 7,861 hours of bakery production reported.
- Training & Education Services: UK-accredited vocational training programmes, school training packages, parent training, and corporate DEI workshops generate service fees.
- Inclusion Consulting: Fee-for-service consulting engagements with employers to design inclusive workplaces, conduct accessibility assessments, and develop neuroinclusion strategies.
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Steps product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Steps operates UK-accredited vocational training centres in Bangkok and Phuket that deliver life skills, employment preparation, and transition programmes for neurodivergent young adults. It complements training with social businesses—Steps Cafes, a Business Services Centre (document management and data entry outsourcing), and bakery production—that double as hands-on vocational environments. The enterprise also sells inclusion consulting and a research practice (NWRC with Sasin School of Management) to corporate clients, and reinvests 100% of profits into community programmes as a B Corp certified social enterprise.
Product overview
Steps is a social enterprise operating a platform of vocational training and employment services for neurodivergent individuals in Thailand. The core offering consists of UK-accredited Training and Education Centres in Bangkok and Phuket, complemented by social businesses (Steps Cafes and Business Services Centres) that provide real-world work experience for trainees. Supporting services include Inclusion Consulting for employers and the NWRC Research Centre. Programmes span Life Skills, Preparation for the Future, Transition to Employment, and Summer Programme. The model reinvests all profits into sustainable growth and community reach.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Steps Cafe: Social enterprise cafes serving as training venues for neurodivergent individuals, offering wholesome, allergen-free food and coffee
- Business Services Centre
- NWRC (Neurodiversity World Research Centre)
- Steps Therapy Centre
Products and services
- Training and Education Centre UK-accredited vocational training centre in Bangkok (and Phuket) delivering Life Skills, Preparation for the Future, Transition to Employment, and Summer Programmes for neurodivergent young adults and individuals with learning differences. Enrolment is referral-based through schools, parents, and social workers.
- Steps Cafe Social enterprise cafe(s) in Bangkok (Ekkamai 10, Thonglor, Rama 4) serving wholesome, allergen-free food and coffee to consumers. Functions both as a direct-to-consumer retail outlet and as a vocational training environment where trainees gain hospitality and customer service experience.
- Business Services Centre
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% graduate employment rate
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Steps
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Steps technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Steps partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ERIA (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia)coreSteps and ERIA co-host the HR Inclusion Tour across ASEAN countries, promoting inclusive workplaces. ERIA's Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre (E-DISC) serves as host venue for panel discussions and workshops on neurodiversity in the workforce. Partnership extends Steps' reach to employers across Southeast Asia.
- IHG Hotels & Resorts ThailandcoreIHG Thailand partners with Steps to develop sustainable employment models for neurodivergent individuals. Steps provides consultancy on diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy while IHG provides employment opportunities and workplace inclusion training for their hospitality staff.
- IKEA ThailandcoreIKEA collaborated with Steps to design an inclusive office model, creating more accessible workspaces. The partnership includes office design consulting, tea blending workshops, and broader workplace inclusion initiatives in Thailand.
- Sasin School of ManagementcoreSteps and Sasin jointly launched the NWRC (Neurodiversity Workplace Resource Centre), combining academic research capabilities with practical neuroinclusion expertise to advance workplace inclusion research and advocacy in Thailand and ASEAN.
- OCS IndonesiaminorLead participant in HR Inclusion Tour Jakarta event, demonstrating inclusive hiring practices. OCS Indonesia contributed as panellist sharing experiences employing neurodivergent workers.
- KONEKINminorInclusive employment organization co-facilitating HR Inclusion Tour workshops. Founder Marthella Rivera Roidatua served as panellist on neurodiversity in the workforce.
- BayWa r.e.minorRenewable energy company upskilling Steps trainees and supporting sense of belonging through workplace inclusion initiatives.
- TPQI (Thailand Professional Qualification Institute)coreTPQI recognized Steps' digital literacy and barista training programmes with professional qualifications in 2026, providing accredited credentials for trainees that enhance employability.
- National Association for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (nasen)coreUK-based international organization that awarded Steps the International Provision of the Year award in 2021 and 2023 for neuroinclusion excellence, providing global credibility and network access.
- El MercadominorCase study partnership demonstrating two-way business relationship where El Mercado provides employment opportunities while Steps provides trained neurodivergent employees.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Steps competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Specialisterren: Denmark-founded social enterprise that places neurodivergent consultants (primarily autistic adults) into software testing and digital projects for enterprise clients. Closely comparable to Steps' combined training-plus-BPO-plus-consulting model for neurodivergent talent.
- auticon: International consultancy employing autistic adults as IT and business consultants for corporate clients across multiple countries. Directly comparable on inclusion consulting, training pipeline, and BPO-style delivery to enterprise customers.
- Integr8Human (formerly Integrate Autism Employment Advisors): Vocational program helping autistic and neurodivergent adults prepare for, find, and retain employment through employer partnerships. Comparable to Steps' transition-to-employment program and employer-of-record services.
- Untapped (now part of CAI): Neurodivergent talent placement and employer consulting firm running training-to-employment pipelines and corporate DEI engagements. Closely aligned to Steps' transition-to-employment and inclusion consulting offerings.
- Exceptional Individuals: UK-based social enterprise providing recruitment, training and consultancy for neurodivergent candidates into corporate roles. Highly comparable on vocational training, employer consulting, and managed-services delivery.
Broad incumbents
- DXC Technology Dandelion Program: Global IT services firm running an in-house neurodiversity employment program for technology and digital roles. Comparable as a broad incumbent employer running neuroinclusion at scale rather than a specialized social enterprise.
- Specialisterne Foundation: Global foundation scaling the Specialisterren model across more than 25 countries, including Asia. Acts as a broader-incumbent ecosystem player in the same neurodiversity-employment space Steps operates in.
- JP Morgan Autism at Work / Neurodiversity hiring programs: Large corporate neurodiversity hiring initiative run inside a global financial services firm. Comparable as a scaled corporate buyer/incumbent in the neuroinclusion talent market that Steps' placement and consulting services target.
Emerging players
- Cognassist: UK-based neurodiversity workplace platform combining cognitive assessment, training, and employer analytics. Adjacent/emerging player offering neuroinclusion SaaS that competes with consulting-led models like Steps' Inclusion Consulting service.
Regional players
- ENABLE (Thailand disability social enterprise): Thai social enterprise employing people with disabilities across cafes, catering, and lifestyle products. Comparable as a Thailand-based social-business operator combining training, employment and retail in a similar mission-driven structure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Steps social profiles
Digital presenceSteps financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Steps leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Steps funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Steps M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Steps
What does Steps do?
Steps operates UK-accredited vocational training centres in Bangkok and Phuket that deliver life skills, employment preparation, and transition programmes for neurodivergent young adults. It complements training with social businesses—Steps Cafes, a Business Services Centre (document management and data entry outsourcing), and bakery production—that double as hands-on vocational environments. The enterprise also sells inclusion consulting and a research practice (NWRC with Sasin School of Management) to corporate clients, and reinvests 100% of profits into community programmes as a B Corp certified social enterprise.
Is Steps a public or private company?
Steps is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Steps founded?
Steps was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Steps based?
Steps is headquartered in Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand, in the Asia region.
How does Steps make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Steps Cafe Food & Beverage Sales are the primary driver. The others are business Service Centre Contracts, bakery Product Sales to B2B Partners, training & Education Services and inclusion Consulting.
Who are Steps's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Specialisterren, auticon, Integr8Human (formerly Integrate Autism Employment Advisors), Untapped (now part of CAI) and Exceptional Individuals. Broad incumbents are DXC Technology Dandelion Program, Specialisterne Foundation and JP Morgan Autism at Work / Neurodiversity hiring programs. Cognassist is listed as an emerging player. ENABLE (Thailand disability social enterprise) is listed as a regional player.
Does Steps have an API?
No public API is recorded for Steps.
What industry is Steps in?
Steps's product category is Vocational Training and Employment Services for Neurodivergent Individuals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKAAAG, Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22), with a secondary code of EDAKANAD, Job Readiness Training & Soft Skills Development. Its NAICS code is 6243 and its SIC code is 8200.