Neurodiversity Works

What Neurodiversity Works does

Neurodiversity Works is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 85-1377655) founded in 2020 by Jason San Souci and Nicole Corder to prepare neurodivergent individuals, primarily ages 15-25 and including autistic, ADHD, and dyslexic learners, for careers in the drone and analytics industry. It operates from Monument, Colorado with a stated operations base in Commerce City, and runs with a 1-10 person team. The organization targets an underemployed population, citing a 40% unemployment rate among neurodivergent adults and an 85% unemployment rate among autistic college graduates, and connects them to a drone industry facing skilled labor shortages.

The organization's product portfolio centers on a proprietary adaptive Learning Management System hosting FAA Part 107 exam preparation (delivered via donated Sonoran Desert Institute licenses), a VR-based Drone Operator simulation co-built with Be More Colorful, digital drone workshops, annual summer camps, paid job shadowing, and mentorship through a network of 12 industry mentors. It also resells Google Career Certificates in data analytics, cybersecurity, IT, UX, and project management, and offers a $549-per-instructor Colorado Secondary CTE UAS credentialing course. Delivery occurs through self-serve online learning, in-person workshops and camps, and a registered apprenticeship pathway with the U.S. Department of Labor and the Colorado State Apprenticeship Agency.

Neurodiversity Works' business model is grant- and donation-funded, supplemented by modest course fees. Disclosed grant inflows include a $245,000 RISE/GEER award in November 2023, a $40,000 Trimble Foundation grant in August 2024, and selection for the NEXT for AUTISM 2024-25 autistic-led grant program, with additional revenue from individual donations via Colorado Gives and the $549 CTE instructor course. In 2024 the organization reported serving 600 students with an 11K local reach, including 24 summer campers and 300+ neurodiverse students trained across Colorado (several earning FAA Part 107 certification). It has no publicly disclosed revenue and is not a venture-backed or commercial entity.

Name

Neurodiversity Works

Legal name

Neurodiversity Works

Website

https://neurodiversityworks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Neurodiversity Works is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that trains neurodivergent youth (ages 15-25) for careers in the drone and analytics industry through an adaptive LMS, FAA Part 107 prep, VR simulation, summer camps, and apprenticeship pathways, funded by grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB), Virtual Field Trips & Experiential Learning Environments (Museums, Geography, History) (EDAFAJAG)

Keywords

• Neurodiversity workforce development
• Drone industry training
• FAA Part 107 prep
• Vocational training programs
• Disability employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Commerce City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants: Grant funding from foundations such as Trimble Foundation ($40,000 in 2024) to support workforce development initiatives and program expansion.
2. Government Grants: RISE/GEER grant funding from Colorado government ($245,000 in 2023) for youth apprenticeship programs supporting neurodiverse students.
3. NEXT for AUTISM Grant: Grant funding from NEXT for AUTISM as part of their 2024-25 autistic-led and community-based grant program supporting work-focused initiatives.
4. Course Fees (Complete Drone Professional Course): One-time fee of $549 per instructor for the Complete Drone Professional Flagship Course for Colorado Secondary CTE UAS instructors.
5. Donations: Tax-deductible donations through Colorado Gives and direct giving programs supporting the nonprofit mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Neurodiversity Works provides workforce development programs preparing neurodivergent individuals (ages 15-25) for careers in the drone and analytics industry. Core offerings include digital drone workshops, FAA Part 107 online learning through a proprietary adaptive LMS, in-person summer camps, VR-based job immersion, registered apprenticeship programs, Google Career Certificates, and a paid Colorado Secondary CTE UAS Instructor Credential for educators.

Product overview

Neurodiversity Works offers a portfolio of workforce development programs designed for neurodivergent individuals (ages 15-25) seeking careers in the drone industry and broader technology sector. The core offerings include Digital Drone Workshops (online introduction to drone technology), Online Learning (FAA Part 107 license preparation), Youth Drone Summer Camps (hands-on experiential learning), and Virtual Job Immersion (VR-based drone operator simulation). The organization also provides Google Career Certificates for broader technology pathways and a Colorado Secondary CTE UAS Instructor Credential for educators. Programs combine digital platforms with hands-on workshops, mentorship, and registered apprenticeship opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Digital Drone Workshops An online platform offering a comprehensive introduction to drone technology, its industry applications, career opportunities, and academic pathways, designed for accessibility for individuals with neuro-differences.
• Online Learning (FAA Part 107 Prep) An online curriculum designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge for the FAA Part 107 license, covering drone operations, regulatory compliance, and safety protocols, tailored for neurodiverse learners.
• Youth Drone Summer Camps An annual hands-on summer camp providing immersive journey into drone technology with direct interaction with drones, industry expert workshops, and exploration of career opportunities in a sensory-friendly environment.
• Virtual Job Immersion (VR Drone Operator Simulation) An immersive VR-based Drone Operator simulation created in collaboration with Be More Colorful, providing an interactive experience of drone operation career using advanced virtual reality technology.
• Colorado Secondary CTE UAS Instructor Credential An approved industry-recognized flight training credential for Colorado CTE UAS/Drone instructors covering drone operations, safety, airspace, mapping, remote sensing, GIS concepts, and real-world workforce applications, priced at $549 per instructor.
• Google Career Certificates Industry-recognized online training programs in data analytics, digital marketing & e-commerce, IT support, project management, and user experience (UX) design, offered in partnership with Google to provide pathways to in-demand technology jobs.
• Registered Apprenticeship Program A registered apprenticeship program with the U.S. Department of Labor and Colorado State Apprenticeship Agency, supporting youth apprenticeship opportunities including the RISE Youth Apprenticeship Fund for high school students ages 16+.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ neurodiverse students trained across Colorado with several obtaining FAA Part 107 certification
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and general.

• Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI)coreTechnology or Integration · 19 August 2024SDI donated online FAA Part 107 Exam Prep course licenses integrated into Neurodiversity Works' Learning Management System. Partnership enhances accessible, high-quality training for neurodiverse individuals pursuing drone pilot certification. SDI Chief Operating Officer Chris Caraway expressed commitment to supporting Neurodiversity Works learners.
• TrimblecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Trimble to empower neurodiverse students and guide them toward careers in drone operations and analytics. Trimble's director of industry workforce development, Ian Warner, noted neurodiverse individuals bring extra capabilities and focus that neurotypical individuals may not possess.
• KiewitmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner supporting Neurodiversity Works' mission to prepare neurodiverse individuals for careers in the drone industry.
• 12 Industry MentorsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished partnership with 12 industry mentors who provide guidance and support to neurodiverse students pursuing drone industry careers.
• Drone Forward Incorporated (DFI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with DFI to advocate and create resources for disabled community. First joint resource was comprehensive guide to FAA Part 107 exam accommodations for disabled test takers. Organizations help navigate accommodation requests at local testing sites.
• Be More ColorfulcoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration to create Virtual Job Immersion experience featuring specialized Drone Operator simulation using advanced virtual reality technology. Provides realistic and interactive career exploration in drone operation.
• Google Career CertificatesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership with Google to provide flexible, industry-recognized online training programs including data analytics, cybersecurity, digital marketing, IT support, project management, and UX design certificates. Helps fast-track participants into high-growth technology fields.
• Colorado State Apprenticeship AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegistered apprenticeship program partner with U.S. Department of Labor and Colorado State Apprenticeship Agency supporting youth apprenticeship opportunities for neurodiverse students.
• PropellergeneralStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner logo displayed on website, indicating collaboration in the drone/analytics ecosystem.
• DroneDeploygeneralStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner logo displayed on website, indicating collaboration in the drone/analytics ecosystem.
• SpatialGISgeneralStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member Kendrick Faison represents SpatialGIS on Neurodiversity Works' Board of Directors.
• TerraNexumgeneralStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member Dahl Winters represents TerraNexum on Neurodiversity Works' Board of Directors.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Per Scholas: Per Scholas is a national tech workforce training nonprofit providing tuition-free IT training and career placement to adults from underserved communities. Comparable to Neurodiversity Works in the no-cost tech-training-and-placement model, though not neurodiversity-specialized.
• Year Up: Year Up is a large workforce development nonprofit serving young adults from low-income and underrepresented communities through training, internships, and corporate placement. Comparable to Neurodiversity Works in the youth workforce-development archetype, but operates much more broadly across industries.
• NPower: NPower is a tech workforce training nonprofit offering cybersecurity, cloud, and IT support training to underserved young adults and military veterans. Comparable to Neurodiversity Works as a tuition-free, employer-aligned technology training program, but serving a different beneficiary population.
• Apprenti: Apprenti is a tech apprenticeship intermediary that recruits, trains, and places apprentices into technology roles with employer sponsors. Comparable to Neurodiversity Works' registered apprenticeship structure and DOL-aligned model, though operating more broadly across tech occupations.

Direct peers

• Specialisterne: Specialisterne is the leading global neurodiversity employment specialist, focused on recruiting, training, and supporting autistic and neurodivergent individuals in technology and adjacent roles. It is the closest direct peer to Neurodiversity Works because both pair adaptive training with employer-side inclusive-hiring pipelines.
• UAV Coach: UAV Coach is a drone training and Part 107 prep provider delivering online courses, study guides, and career-pathway content. It is a direct peer in commercial drone education, although it does not specialize in neurodiverse learners.
• Sonoran Desert Institute: Sonoran Desert Institute provides online UAS/drone operator training and FAA Part 107 exam prep, the same credentialing pathway Neurodiversity Works integrates into its LMS. SDI serves as a comparable drone-focused training institution and an actual curriculum partner to Neurodiversity Works.
• Drone Pilot Ground School: Drone Pilot Ground School provides FAA Part 107 test prep and commercial drone operator education to individual learners. It is a direct peer in drone certification training, comparable in modality (online self-paced) to Neurodiversity Works' LMS-based Part 107 prep.

Others

• The Arc: The Arc is a national disability advocacy organization with employment and vocational rehabilitation programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable to Neurodiversity Works in disability employment focus but operating at much broader scope and scale.
• Drone Industry Insights Corp: Drone Industry Insights is a commercial drone market research and advisory firm providing reports, training directories, and workforce insights. It is adjacent to Neurodiversity Works as an ecosystem participant informing the drone-industry talent and labor-demand context, rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ndworksorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/neurodiversityworks

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Neurodiversity Works