His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has honored Jade Autism as a winner of the Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Health category. The award ceremony, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), recognized the startup’s groundbreaking work in utilizing artificial intelligence to transform the detection and care of neurodivergent conditions. As a member of Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, Hub71, Jade was selected alongside 10 other pioneering organizations and high schools from around the world for delivering realistic solutions that create measurable, sustainable impact.
Pioneering AI For Neurodivergence
Jade Autism secured the top spot in the Health category for its innovative AI-powered game designed to assist in the early detection and personalized intervention of conditions such as autism and ADHD. The platform uses gamification to collect cognitive data during play, allowing it to identify specific learning difficulties or attention deficits naturally, without the child realizing they are being evaluated. This non-invasive approach provides educators and parents with critical insights into why a child may struggle with reading, writing, or focus, facilitating earlier and more effective support.
A Victory For Inclusive Technology
The recognition highlights a personal triumph for founder Ronaldo Cohin, who established the company inspired by his autistic son, Lucas. During the ceremony, Cohin was joined on stage by his 12-year-old son and an Emirati student who utilizes the platform. Cohin described the win as “an amazing feeling” and emphasized that the award represents a mission rather than a conclusion. The prize money, set at $1 million for each organizational category winner, will bolster the company’s efforts to scale its operations and extend its reach to more neurodivergent children globally.
Global Impact From Abu Dhabi
originally founded in Brazil, Jade Autism moved its headquarters to the UAE after winning a technology competition in Dubai and subsequently joining the Hub71 ecosystem. The startup has since rapidly expanded its footprint, with its platform now used by approximately 200,000 children across 179 countries. It has been adopted by more than 650 schools in the UAE, Brazil, the UK, and Portugal. By focusing on partnerships with public schools and governments, Jade ensures its technology remains accessible and free to download for those who need it most.
About Jade Autism
Jade Autism is an Abu Dhabi-based healthtech startup and Hub71 resident that develops gamified solutions for the cognitive development of children with neurodivergent conditions. Through its AI-driven platform, the company provides tools for the early diagnosis and monitoring of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD, offering data-driven insights to parents, therapists, and educators to improve learning outcomes and social inclusion.
Source: The National
