Speech therapy startup Iyaso has raised $500,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by Malpani Ventures, with additional participation from several angel investors. The Pune-based company plans to utilize the funds to enhance its AI-powered digital therapeutics, redefining the treatment of speech and communication challenges on a global scale.

Founded in 2023 by Viraj Kulkarni, Iyaso is an innovative AI-powered platform focused on providing effective speech therapy solutions. Its primary aim is to help individuals overcome stuttering through structured therapy programs that enhance fluency and build confidence in communication. By integrating artificial intelligence, the company seeks to make speech therapy more engaging, accessible, and results-driven.

Market research indicates that over 400 million people worldwide face speech and language disorders, significantly affecting their education, careers, and social interactions. Addressing this challenge, Iyaso has developed structured and personalized interventions that enable users to learn, practice, and apply speech therapy techniques in real-world scenarios.

Iyaso’s flagship product, Eloquent for Stuttering, has gained significant traction since its launch in July 2024. The AI-driven solution has been adopted by over 20,000 users across 150+ countries, offering a tailored approach to improving fluency through interactive exercises and immersive practice simulations. Early validation studies show a 53% reduction in stuttering severity and a 34% improvement in communication confidence, with more than 75% of participants moving to a lower stuttering severity category after using Eloquent.

With its recent funding, Iyaso aims to further refine its technology, expand its reach, and continue pioneering AI-driven advancements in speech therapy, empowering individuals to communicate with greater confidence and ease.