Our Mission

Why we built
EMPALS.

EMPALS — Empathic Pacing and Learning System for Neurodivergent Minds.

Every neurodivergent kid we met had been handed adult productivity tools or rigid school worksheets that didn't fit how their mind actually works. EMPALS started from a simple belief: kids deserve focus tools built for them — warm, playful, and quietly effective — so they can grow with confidence instead of frustration.

The story of 5 founders, one vision.

Our journey from research to launch.

The evolution of focus

  • 2025

    The Academic Spark

    What began as an academic exploration evolved into a deeper inquiry into neurodevelopmental needs. Early concepts were tested through research-driven design, laying the foundation for EMPALS.

  • 2025

    Research & Discovery

    Extensive user research with neurodivergent individuals revealed critical gaps in emotional support, engagement, and accessible productivity tools—shaping the core vision of EMPALS.

  • 2025

    Prototyping & Validation

    The idea transitioned from academia to application. Iterative prototyping, user testing, and feedback loops transformed EMPALS into a scalable, user-centered solution.

  • 2026 — Today

    From Concept to Impact

    EMPALS emerged as a full-fledged venture—bridging design, technology, and empathy to support neurodiverse communities at scale.

The Team

Meet the five entrepreneurs behind the movement.

  • Portrait of Anukriti Marwah

    Anukriti Marwah

    Product Designer | Interaction Designer

    Obsessed with turning cognitive chaos into visual rhythm.

  • Portrait of Aditya Purwar

    Aditya Purwar

    Design Lead

    Crafting the 'breathable UI' that calms the racing mind.

  • Portrait of Dustin W. Nothwang

    Dustin W. Nothwang

    Product | UI

    I ask annoying questions about what we're really building.

  • Portrait of Aziret Ashyrbai uulu

    Aziret Ashyrbai uulu

    Developer

    Bridging the gap between software and real-world social change.

  • Portrait of Gáspár Harmati

    Gáspár Harmati

    Community

    Ensuring every user feels like a co-creator of the platform.

Portrait of Dr. Riya Singh

Research Collaborator

Dr. Riya Singh

Special Child Psychiatrist

Built with clinical insight.

We collaborated with Dr. Riya Singh, working with children with special needs, whose insights played a crucial role in shaping EMPALS.

Through her experience working with children with ADHD, she helped us understand nuanced behavioral patterns such as attention span variations, response to stimuli, and engagement triggers. These insights directly informed how we structured our game-based activities, ensuring they are not only engaging but also developmentally meaningful.

Children working with educators at Gamaya Child Developmental Center

Field Partner

Gamaya Child Developmental Center

Vijayawada, India

Grounded in real classrooms.

Time spent at Gamaya Child Developmental Center sharpened our understanding of how neurodivergent kids actually learn — and where existing tools quietly fail them.

What we observed

  • Different communication styles
  • Preference for structure and predictable routines
  • Sensory sensitivities such as light, sound, or texture
  • Strong focus on specific interests
  • Unique learning and problem-solving approaches

Our Values

Empathy

We don't just build features; we build solutions for the lived experience of neurodiversity.

Structure

Gentle boundaries that support freedom, rather than rigid boxes that stifle creativity.

Innovation

Questioning every standard productivity trope to find a more humane path forward.

Social Impact

Aligned with global progress.

Most "productivity" tools weren't built with neurodivergent kids in mind. EMPALS is — and that shapes who we choose to build with, who we listen to first, and which UN Sustainable Development Goals our work sits closest to.

  • SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being

    Supporting kids' mental wellness with calm, evidence-informed tools — not gamified pressure.

  • SDG 4: Quality Education

    Helping neurodivergent kids stay engaged with learning instead of being shaped to fit a one-size-fits-all classroom.

  • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

    Building for kids who are too often handed tools designed for someone else — so support reaches them, not just those who can already cope.