INSIGHTS / Blog

“What matters more than technical skills is belief in your mission and surrounding yourself with the right people.”

SETsquared’s annual community awards recognise outstanding businesses within our ecosystem that are leading digital, scientific, and technological advancements.

Announced at the annual Investment Futures event, Autsera won the award for Most Investible Proposition, which was voted for on the day.

In the second of our series of interviews with community award winners, we sat down with Autsera co-founder Inas Ismail to understand their growth trajectory, future plans and any advice she would share with other health tech founders.

Why I started Autsera and what the future holds

I’ve personally witnessed the transformative power of early intervention for children with special needs. But the reality is that access to this kind of support is often a postcode lottery. If you’re in the right place at the right time, you might get the help you need. If not, you and your child are left struggling. The system often fails to provide adequate resources and private support – while an option for some – is not always effective or accessible. Even parents who can afford it may struggle to find the right specialist.

We knew something had to change. That’s why we founded Autsera, with the mission of building personalised, effective, and accessible assessment and early intervention apps for children with autism and other developmental delays, including speech delays. We believe technology could bridge the gap and ensure every child has the opportunity to develop the social communication skills they need to live happy, independent, and fulfilling lives.

When we started, we thought the journey would be relatively short. It wasn’t. But we’ve kept going because we believe in this mission. It’s not just a business; it’s a purpose.

Advice for other health tech founders

For anyone looking to build a health tech start-up, my biggest piece of advice is this: you don’t need to be technical to succeed. I have a technical background, but I don’t code myself. What matters more than technical skills is belief in your mission and surrounding yourself with the right people.

Building a start-up is tough. If you prioritise comfort and personal time above all else, this may not be the right journey for you. But if you find the right team – people who share your vision and bring their expertise to the table—you can achieve incredible things.

A few key lessons I’ve learned:

• Find your tribe. You need people who will support you, help you reach the right funding sources, and connect you with early adopters and testers.
• Seek grant funding first. If your company has a strong social impact, grants can provide crucial early-stage funding. Avoid rushing into private investment before validating your product. Ensure that the problem you’re solving truly exists and that people recognise its significance.
• Invest in the right people. One great team member can be worth three good ones. A mentor once told me this, and it’s stuck with me. Hiring the right talent from the start will save you time, money, and stress in the long run.
• Leverage support networks. Programmes like FWD and SETsquared have been invaluable in our journey. If you’re not a serial founder, tapping into these resources can be a game-changer.

The future of Autsera

Looking ahead, 2025 will be a big year for us. Our focus is on speech assessment and therapy. We’re currently piloting our solution within an NHS speech therapy service, and our goal is to transition this into paid contracts with other therapy services. If all goes well, we hope to support at least 1,000 children and their caregivers while also helping services save money and optimise their workflows.

We’re also preparing for our first private investment round, laying the financial groundwork and setting up an advisory board, which we hope to evolve into a board of directors by early 2026. By 2027, we aim to break even and expand into other English-speaking markets like the US and Australia.

The reality of building a start-up

Some days, I think to myself, “Why don’t I just get a job?” It’s tempting. The start-up journey is demanding, exhausting, and full of uncertainty. But then I remember why we’re doing this. The need is massive, and the waiting lists for services are growing longer—three years here, four years there. It’s unacceptable.

We can’t solve everything, but we can make a difference. And as long as we’re making progress, we’ll keep pushing forward.