Rotterdam-based startup Speaksee, which develops speech recognition technology to aid hearing-impaired and deaf individuals in group conversations, has raised over €1 million in new funding. This investment will support international expansion and the development of inclusive technologies.
Speaksee’s app tackles the challenge faced by hearing-impaired and deaf people in following multi-participant conversations, common in both business and private settings. Founder Jari Hazelebach, whose parents are deaf, was inspired to create a solution to improve accessibility. Launched in 2022 by Hazelebach and Marcel van der Ven, Speaksee converts spoken words into written text, using color-coded microphones to identify up to nine speakers. The app can translate conversations into accurate text in 40 languages, filtering out background noise to help users understand who is speaking.
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Key Investments and Support
The funding round saw €800,000 raised from investors including NoorderImpact, the founders of DataSnipper, and angel investors via Rabobank’s Money Meets Ideas network. An additional €240,000 of previously raised convertible loans was converted into equity, with support from Generous Minds and Zebra Legal.
Sjoerd Zijlstra of NoorderImpact commented, “Speaksee aligns perfectly with our goal to empower excluded groups in social situations. The team’s dedication and strong connection to their target audience make this initiative promising.”
Expansion and Technological Development
The newly acquired funds will facilitate Speaksee’s expansion into the UK, Switzerland, Denmark, and Norway, chosen for their supportive reimbursement policies for assistive devices. The company is also exploring the German market. Additionally, Speaksee plans to enhance its technology for use in various settings, such as lectures, conferences, auditoriums, and churches, through AI-based subtitling and translation.
Impact and Recognition
Speaksee’s technology has been adopted by companies like KPN, Rabobank, and PwC, and it was recently approved for reimbursement by the Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV), a first for a speech recognition app. Gerard de Gooijer, Senior Advisor at the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, noted the significant benefits of Speaksee, including increased employment and career advancement opportunities for people with disabilities.
Founder Jari Hazelebach expressed gratitude for the support: “NoorderImpact is one of the few investors focused on social inclusion. This funding brings us closer to our goal of creating a society where everyone can participate in conversations, regardless of the situation.”
With this substantial investment, Speaksee is poised to expand its reach and continue developing technologies that enhance communication for the hearing-impaired, promoting inclusivity and accessibility worldwide.
