Neol

Scaling Community-Powered Transformation with AI

Neol is a network utilization platform that helps organizations identify, engage, and manage talent through a networked approach and AI-powered tools. It is designed for teams navigating complex recruitment challenges where speed, fit, and credibility are essential.

Years
2022-Present
Industry
AI & Talent
Scope
Platform Development, Community Strategy,
Digital Innovation
Offering
Community Lab,
Experience Lab

$ 6.2 M

Funds Raised

3000 +

Talent Onboarded

30

Hubs Built

131

Gatherings for Independent Creatives

THE CHALLENGE

As organizations move toward decentralized and networked ways of working, the challenge of engaging and activating diverse talent ecosystems has become increasingly complex. While ATÖLYE has long helped partners cultivate communities through its consulting model, the need for a scalable, technology-driven solution became evident. Neol was created to meet this demand—a venture-backed platform leveraging AI to help organizations identify, connect with, and activate the right talent with speed and precision. Rooted in ATÖLYE’s foundational values and expertise, Neol extends this approach into the digital realm, enabling businesses to scale transformation and workforce strategies more effectively. Several ATÖLYE leaders have joined Neol as co-founders, deepening the connection between the two organizations. As sibling companies, ATÖLYE and Neol share a common mission, complementing each other to accelerate community-powered transformation across industries.

THE TRANSFORMATION APPROACH

ATÖLYE’s transformation approach is rooted in the belief that communities, when intentionally designed and activated, can drive lasting change. As the demand for engaging talent networks at scale grew, it became clear that our consulting model alone couldn’t meet the moment.

Instead of scaling services, we scaled the system—co-founding Neol to extend our approach through technology. Built on ATÖLYE’s experience designing creative ecosystems, Neol brings our principles—trust-based networks, participatory design, and long-term thinking—into a product-led platform.

With this network approach to talent search, Neol equips organizations to find better candidates faster and through stronger connections—transforming recruitment into a high-trust, community-powered strategy. This collaboration marks a shift in our practice: from enabling transformation within organizations to building the infrastructure that powers it at scale.

THE IMPACT

Neol is emerging as a core infrastructure layer for high-trust, high-impact hiring—particularly in executive and strategic roles. Backed by $6M in seed funding, the platform is being piloted by over 20 public and private sector organizations across the UAE and beyond, including governments, innovation hubs, and multinational firms.

 

Neol’s growing network of talent, ranging from independent leaders to curated partner communities, is activated through cutting-edge technology such as AI-powered global talent search and context-aware candidate review features. By bridging the gap between people, data, and trust, Neol extends ATÖLYE’s systems-thinking legacy into a scalable, product-driven model for mobilizing talent networks.

“A volatile world requires adaptability, and Neol, with its community of incredible creative leaders, is best positioned to respond to ever-changing business challenges.”

Elisabeth Graf Strategic Design for Climate Resilience Founder of IMMA Collective

“I believe in Neol because it allowed me to break free from workplace constraints and focus on the work itself. It offers a space to collaborate with other audacious creative minds on bold challenges and provides the resources needed for greater projects.”

Alex Pasini Futurist, Change & Innovation Consultant

"I am a part of Neol because together we are creating a more expansive story about what it means to work together. And the impact is exponential.”

Lizzie Azzolino Story Transformation Coach, Executive Recruiter, Growth Catalyst

“Neol is one of the most significant innovations in how creativity is organized in a half century.”

Tim Brown Chair IDEO

“Neol brings together the design mavericks of the last 20 years and the next 20 to reimagine and co-create a new, relevant ecosystem that’ll evolve as the world does. Delivering value that benefits the many without being controlled by the few.”

Karn Malhotra Founder ThisIsCreativeAi

THE COMMUNITY LENS

Neol is deeply anchored in ATÖLYE’s core values of long-termism, creative collaboration, and multi-stakeholder engagement. While now operating as an independent venture, its success reflects the belief that systemic change happens when communities are intentionally designed, nurtured, and activated. Through its continued partnership with Neol, ATÖLYE remains at the forefront of helping organizations build thriving talent networks, now with AI-enhanced tools that make transformation smarter, faster, and more scalable.

Project Team:

Aslı Sevinç Daver, Atılım Şahin, Akar Şümşet

Contributors:

Engin Ayaz, Mert Çetinkaya, Arda Kolukısa

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