Aidyn Kussainov

OVERCOMING ADVERSITY. Born in the early 1980s in Kazakhstan, at the height of the Soviet era, Aidyn Kussainov spent his childhood amidst the grandeur of Moscow’s Stalinist architecture. His early fascination with societal behaviors, sparked by a decision to make a momentous shift in his childhood, planted the seeds for what would later become his venture NX10.ME, a company focused on DeepTech for longer, healthier, and happier lives.

The collapse of the Soviet Union brought about significant social and economic challenges, with food and electricity shortages, violence, and an increased scapegoating of minority groups, including the LGBTQIA+ community. “I remember thinking to myself, I will do anything to get out of this place,” Aidyn reflects.

Determined to find a more accepting environment, Aidyn moved to the UK aged 15. Arriving during the mid-90s in the days of ‘Cool Britannia,’ Aidyn discovered a society with a sense of cultural pride, optimism, and acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community. “I saw Elton John sing ‘Candle in the Wind’ at Princess Diana’s funeral—a gay man celebrated as part of a massive social event,” Aidyn recalls. This contrast to his experiences in Kazakhstan was transformative. “I thought, wow, anything is possible. I am welcome here.”

Aidyn’s journey continued at Cambridge University, where he studied Natural Sciences. “Cambridge had a profound respect for individuality,” he says. His fascination with how brains manufacture reality led him to focus on neuroscience and the biological basis of behavior. However, instead of staying in research, Aidyn ventured into finance, encouraged by Citigroup’s openness to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Aidyn’s career in finance later saw him managing his own fund and meeting his future husband. However, the birth of his twins in 2014 marked a significant shift in his life. “As soon as I became a father, I lost what I used to call a strong belly for risk. I couldn’t carry risk anymore,” he explains. This led Aidyn to leave finance and revisit his passion for science.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Aidyn founded NX10.ME. The company uses computational neuroscience to understand how people think and feel. By monitoring habitual actions and extracting insights with machine learning, NX10.ME aims to predict and enhance mental health and overall well-being. “People use their mobile phones for hours each day. We can capture data on how they interact with their devices and turn that into insights into their mental health,” Aidyn explains.

REDEFINING SUCCESS. The shift from working in finance to founding a company has dramatically changed Aidyn’s outlook on his life and career. “When I was younger, I thought success was only about money, and I was fortunate enough to have made lots of it in my twenties,” he says. Today, he believes true success lies in maintaining great relationships. “For me, success is being able to enjoy relationships with my children and partner—and having the time to do that.”

Reflecting on his journey, Aidyn emphasizes the importance of mentorship and support, something he once thought he didn’t need. He now mentors aspiring entrepreneurs and values the ability to ask for help. “My advice to them is to prioritize relationships based on respect and approach everything with an open heart. It will serve you well in the end.”

With NX10.ME, Aidyn hopes to use technology to enable people to realize their talents and contribute to society. “That would be awesome if I could deliver that. I’d like to be celebrated as someone who helped the world and made a big difference.”