Businesses and policymakers may be overlooking a substantial source of innovation and economic potential by misunderstanding neurodiverse conditions and the biological differences that shape them, according to new research led by the University of Surrey. Too often, conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia, and bipolar disorder are approached solely as clinical challenges or limitations. The study argues that this narrow framing risks excluding individuals whose cognitive differences can actively support entrepreneurial behaviour, innovation, and business growth.
Rather than treating neurodiversity as a fixed deficit, the researchers build on existing entrepreneurship literature to propose a more dynamic view. They suggest that neurodivergent conditions can interact with entrepreneurial environments in ways that unlock distinctive strengths. Traits that may be difficult to accommodate in conventional employment settings, such as heightened impulsivity, unconventional thinking, or intense focus on specific interests, can become valuable assets in contexts that reward creativity, opportunity recognition, and adaptability.
Published in Neurodiversity in Entrepreneurship, the study draws on a systematic review of scientific evidence published between 2011 and 2023. The researchers examined 139 academic papers and identified 28 core studies across business and management. A key contribution of the research lies in its use of organisational neuroscience, integrating biological evidence ranging from brain activation patterns to genetic mechanisms associated with ADHD, dyslexia, and bipolar conditions. This approach allows the authors to link neurological processes more directly to entrepreneurial behaviour.
The findings reveal consistent patterns across different forms of neurodivergence. Entrepreneurs with ADHD often demonstrate high levels of entrepreneurial alertness, alongside strong performance in innovation and risk-taking. Dyslexic entrepreneurs may compensate for challenges in reading and writing by developing advanced delegation skills and a firm strategic overview, enabling faster decision-making and business growth. Meanwhile, traits associated with bipolar conditions are linked to creativity, idea generation, and a willingness to pursue bold and unconventional ventures. Notably, the study does not deny the challenges associated with these conditions but shows that, in the right contexts, they can also underpin meaningful strengths.
Dr Sebastiano Massaro, co-author of the study and Associate Professor (Reader) of Organisational Neuroscience at the University of Surrey, emphasises that neurodiversity is still widely viewed through a deficit-based lens. From a biological perspective, he notes, these conditions exist along a continuum rather than as clear-cut abnormalities. In entrepreneurial settings, there is strong evidence that they can bring valuable capabilities, calling into question the assumption that they are problems to be fixed.
The research calls for a shift in how organisations and policymakers approach neurodiversity. Instead of aiming to normalise cognitive differences, the authors argue for business environments that value and actively harness them. The study also highlights broader policy implications, suggesting that entrepreneurship can provide viable pathways to work and equality for people who are frequently miscategorised as unemployable. By overlooking the biological foundations of neurodiversity in entrepreneurship, universities, businesses, and governments risk missing valuable capability hidden in plain sight.
More information: Giuseppe Bongiorno et al, The Neuroscience of Neurodiversity in Entrepreneurship, Neurodiversity in Entrepreneurship. DOI: 10.1108/S1074-754020250000024005
Journal information: Neurodiversity in Entrepreneurship Provided by University of Surrey