Exciting Innovations at the 2026 NeuroTech Frontiers Summit

The NeuroTech Frontiers Summit is a premier national conference for advancing neuroinclusive breakthrough innovations by neurodivergent leaders. The 2026 summit was a high-impact event bringing innovators, investors, academia, and advocates together on May 19, 2026, in San Diego.

As we represented Youth for Neurodiversity's innovation, Ally in Training™, we met several inspiring founders and products. Check out below for Tarragon, Social Q, Stella, Drive and Thrive, IVRSTAR, DecodeMe.AI, AVRAS™ by Incuentro LLC, and Mindly. For a complete list of exhibitors, visit neurotech-frontiers.com.

"A sensory wearable that teaches calming breathing through play. Grounded in pediatric occupational therapy, biofeedback research, and child-centered design, Tarragon is redefining how children learn to calm their bodies and minds through play.

While many children struggle to manage big emotions in daily life, most existing tools feel either too clinical or not engaging enough. Tarragon bridges that gap with a durable, child-centered design that provides gentle, real-time feedback to guide slower, steadier breathing. Connect with Founder, Maggie Teske.

Decode the non-verbal world with SocialQ!

"SocialQ is reimagining how people with #ASD can understand their world in a way that works. It’s far more than just technology; it’s about #teaching people a new way of belonging." SocialQ's AboutFace uses AI to decode non-verbal communication and facial expressions in real time to help recognize emotions and build social awareness.

Connect with Founder & CEO, Joseph Weatherbee. Follow @socialqig

SANDI + STEER, a pioneering, evidence-based AI-based driving simulator and cognitive-behavioral strategies curriculum to empower neurodiverse youth by reducing driving-related anxiety or apprehension. An NSF-funded collaboration between visionary Dr. Mary Baker-Ericzén of San Diego State University and Vanderbilt University's Frist Center of Autism and Innovation.

Connect with Jan Schlueter and Dr. Mary Baker-Ericzén.

STELLA - Fighting for Every Voice

A patent-pending, AI-driven, multi-sensory training and adaptive system to accelerate communication for nonspeaking autistic individuals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tumu1cTIMVo

"Stella is a first-of-its kind training system that uses boxing-

based spelling activities to rewire and strengthen the brain-body connection to support fluent, reliable communication.

Our patent-pending design includes a multi-sensory board (keyboard or letterboard) that combines spelling, intentional movement, rhythm, and ocular-motor training, layering multiple neural systems at once for faster results. Driven by AI, Stella adapts to each learner, informs activities, and tracks progress for clinicians and parents."

Connect with Founders, Maura Braatz and Jane Benson. Sign up for Early Access.

Immersive multi-sensory learning for dyslexic individuals

"IVRSTAR develops IVR multi-sensory special education content to keep students focused, engaged, and enable greater retention. We collaborate with subject matter experts, special education educators/teachers and their students, sponsors, universities, organizations, and administrators to deliver learning content designed for Dyslexia Learning Differences.

The Orton-Gillingham approach (used for special education) incorporates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic strategies and aids to help individuals with dyslexia internalize and understand what they are learning. Immersive multi-sensory learning with IVR gaming is a perfect fit!"

IVRSTAR is sponsoring a research study with UCSD Computational Neuroscience Lab and The Winston School. Connect with IVRSTAR Foundation Founders, Barb Welch and Russell McHugh

"Incuentro LLC, the winner of the NeuroTech Frontiers Pitch Competition! 🏆

The Incuentro LLC team (Wendy Dawson - Brandi Timmons) delivered an outstanding pitch that truly stood out. They are building tools for a #neurodiverse world, helping autistic youth and young adults discover a path to meaningful employment by moving away from subjective judgments and toward measurable, actionable data.

Through their AVRAS™ platform, Incuentro LLC combines Virtual Reality career assessments with real-world skill training and family-centered support, creating a full ecosystem that helps students move from assessment to action."

Connect with Founders, Wendy Dawson and Brandi Timmons.

DecodeMe.AI is a suite of tools to "humanize digital communication... help us understand each other better, beyond how we think, feel, or express ourselves... It was born from a deep need: to understand what lies behind words, to capture emotions, nuances, ironies, or intentions that often generate misunderstandings or insecurity.

I imagine how different my adolescence would have been if I had had a tool like this. And that gives me hope to help even more people.” -- Founder, Gabriela Alfaro

Care that Connects Every Dot.

"Founded by UC Berkeley graduates, Mindly is a digital health tool that connects healthcare providers, educators, and parents all on one centralized platform to improve neurological care. Our platform harnesses AI-powered video tracking and documentation to deliver personalized insights, streamline interventions, and support evidence-based practices—ultimately improving patient outcomes and delivering more effective care."

Connect with Founders, Pooja Shah and Srinija Maganti.