Tech Scene: ProFound

What?

ProFound is an incubator aimed at helping neurodiverse entrepreneurs launch a digital product with a commercial market fit. ProFound will take in a yearly cohort of budding entrepreneurs and see strong collaboration between educators, researchers and sponsors to support participants of the incubator.

Where?

The incubator, the first of its kind in Australia, will be run out of Perth and is seeking to find Western Australian neurodiverse individuals to participate in the first cohort of the program.

Who?

Apps People managing director Stuart Kidd is the driving force behind ProFound; he will closely work with Tele Tan from Curtin University. The incubator will also work with Theresa Kidd, a psychologist specialising in assisting adolescents on the autism spectrum and will be overseen by Johnny Doan as the incubator manager.

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”While 250,000 Australians are diagnosed with autism, less than half have ever worked, but ProFound is likely to change these statistics by providing talented neurodiverse adults with the guidance and mentoring they require to start up their own business ventures,” Theresa Kidd said.

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ProFound, along with five other programs, was the successful recipient of $100,000 of funding from state government’s X-TEND WA pilot program. To ensure the continuity of the program beyond the initial 12 months, Apps People will be working to secure at least $100,000 from corporate sponsors and partners, ensuring close collaboration to support the education program.