Making life better for people with disabilities is a laudable goal, but accessibility tech hasn’t traditionally been popular among VCs. In 2022, disability tech companies attracted around $4 billion in early-stage investments, which was a fraction of fintech’s intake, for example. One reason is that disability tech startups are often considered too niche to attain business viability — at least on the scale that venture capital demands. By definition, they are assumed to be building for a minority.
However, some startups in the space have also begun serving the wider population — and throwing in some AI always helps. Both cases are a balancing act: The wider business case needs to make sense without losing sight of the startup’s mission statement. AI, meanwhile, needs to be leveraged in a non-gimmicky way to pass the due diligence sniff test.
Some accessibility-focused startups understand these necessities, and their strategies are worth a look. Here are four European startups doing just that:
Visualfy:
Leverages AI to enhance the lives of people with hearing loss, focusing on safety and autonomy. Its AI-powered app and hardware suite include sound recognition, fire alarms, and baby crying detection. Visualfy has also partnered with Spain’s national railway company, Renfe, to enhance accessibility in public venues.Audus Technologies:
Targets the underserved segment of people with full hearing disability, developing Knisper, an AI-powered solution that enhances speech intelligibility in environments like cinemas, museums, and workplaces. Knisper’s unique algorithm improves audio clarity without increasing background noise, making it accessible for both people with hearing loss and those without.Whispp:
Converts whispered speech into a natural voice in real time, catering to the 300 million people worldwide with voice disabilities. Its core technology enables individuals who lost their voice but maintain articulation, like CEO Joris Castermans, to communicate effectively. Whispp’s AI-powered audio-to-audio conversion ensures real-time, language-agnostic voice production that sounds natural and authentic.Acapela Group:
Provides voice banking services, enabling individuals to store their voices for future use through an AI-powered voice cloning process. This service has particular significance for those at risk of losing their voices due to certain medical conditions. Acapela’s solution reduces the barriers to voice banking, empowering individuals to preserve their voices and maintain communication channels.These European startups exemplify innovative approaches to accessibility technology, expanding beyond traditional niche markets and leveraging AI to create more inclusive solutions. By addressing the needs of both people with disabilities and the wider population, these startups create a truly accessible society where everyone has the opportunity to participate fully.
