AUSSIE, 18-YEAR-OLD AUTISTIC FOUNDER OF KAIKO FIDGETS FINALIST IN GLOBAL YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS

# KAIKO FIDGETS WAS STARTED BY 11-YEAR-OLD KAI SEYMON IN 2017

# KAI IS NOW A FINALIST IN THE GLOBAL STUDENT ENTRAPRENEUR AWARDS, WITH THE WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER IN JULY

# SEE THE FINAL INTERVIEWS FROM COMPETITION FINALISTS HERE: START IT UP_GSEA AWARDS 2025 

# NOW JUST 18, KAI'S COMPANY HAS GONE GLOBAL, SELLING 250,0000 PRODUCTS A YEAR

# SENSORY PRODUCTS ASSIST IN MANAGING ANXIETY, SUPPORT FOCUS, & PROVIDE 'SAFE OUCH' TO REDUCE HARMFUL BEHAVIOURS 

# PRODUCTS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL SUPPORT TO THE NEURODIVERGENT COMMUNITY & HELP TO REPLACE HABITS THAT USERS WOULD PREFER TO HALT 

After it was co-founded in 2017 by 11-year-old Kai Seymon who is Autistic and dyslexic, Aussie start-up Kaiko Fidgets has now been recognised on a global stage in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, where Kai has been announced as one of 12 finalists out of 1000 competitors, with the winner to be announced late in July 2025.

Kaiko Fidgets has been captivating and assisting those with neurodivergence and other cognitive differences both domestically and overseas, with purposeful products that are now also being sold by retailers in the U.S and the U.K. The purpose-built sensory tools for teens & adults, are designed specifically for emotional regulation, harm reduction and to assist in reducing anxiety & increase focus. 

Kaiko Fidgets' co-founder and Kai's Mum, Jo Seymon, who has an Occupational Therapy background, says she is so proud of her son's incredible achievements given that for him, some things are more challenging than to others in the global awards.

Kai started creating designs for himself when he was teased at school for using traditional fidget toys, quickly progressed to selling hundreds of his therapeutic gadgets at local market stalls after the very peers that bullied him then wanted to secure some for themselves.

Now, the family owned and run business is selling around 250,000 products per year and averaging a growth year-on-year of 50%.

Their products, at their core, are for everyone; they meet so many needs - From pen click replacement to skin picking supports, there are sensory fidgets to cover the needs.  For example a tool that has hair-like structures within a silicone exterior which allow users to pick and pull the fragments out.

Says Jo, "We are extremely proud of Kai, he has started a movement and developed products that have the capacity to help so many teens and adults. They are stylish, aesthetically pleasing, and can be tailored to almost anyone based on their particular needs,' she said.

'The psychological premise behind Kaiko Fidgets is that the products can stop a repetitive circuit in the brain, those that are anxiety-prone, are neurodivergent, like myself as an autistic ADHS adult, and can re-focus on something in their hands. It provides comfort.'

TO INTERVIEW KAI OR JOANNE SEYMON,  email Marta@marksonsparks.com or call Marta Wiacek on 0409 291 785 or email Max@marksonsparks.com or call Max Markson 0412 501601 

ABOUT KAIKO FIDGETS

Kaiko Fidgets is a Melbourne based family business that designs & manufactures purpose built sensory tools for teens & adults.  Jo, an Occupational Therapist & AuDHD'er, together with her son Kai, who is autistic and dyslexic, have developed the range, including specific tools for emotional regulation & harm reduction and regulation.  Kaiko Fidgets has a strong focus on function, age-appropriate appeal & durability. The range is extensively used by clinicians, therapists, organisations such as Headspace, school networks and homes around Australia to support mental health, assist in reducing anxiety & increase focus.