SAY IT Labs

Revolutionizing Speech Therapy Through AI-Powered Solutions

In a world where over 600 million people struggle with speech and language disorders, one startup is on a mission to transform the landscape of speech therapy through AI-powered apps and game-based learning. Meet SAY IT Labs, a pioneering venture co-founded by Erich Reiter, a speech and language pathologist with a deep background in speech recognition engineering, and Lukas Latacz, a researcher specializing in speech recognition algorithms that target atypical speech often seen in people with speech disabilities.

Inspired by his friend Chris, who lost his ability to speak due to ALS, Reiter recognized the stark disconnect between the advanced speech technology he had worked on and the limited tools available to those with speech disorders. This realization sparked the creation of SAY IT Labs, a company dedicated to bridging that gap and empowering individuals with accessible, effective, and engaging speech therapy solutions.

At the heart of SAY IT Labs’ approach is the integration of cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and speech recognition technology. Reiter and his team have developed Stutter Stars for students with fluency disorders and are developing an articulation and early literacy suite of adaptive, AI-powered games and applications that provide personalized, intensive practice for individuals with a wide range of speech and language disorders, from stuttering to articulation challenges.

“My goal is to have a SAY IT suite for different disorders, and different video games, for everybody to have access to,” Reiter explains. “There are over 600 million people who have either a speech or language disorder. I want to ensure it’s easier for them to participate in the world, because we can.”

Recognizing the critical role of accessibility and affordability, SAY IT Labs works with both parents and school systems. Reiter understands the challenges faced by families seeking quality speech therapy, as well as the resource constraints of educational institutions, and is determined to provide a solution that addresses these needs.

“We can do this in English, we can do this in Spanish, and soon we will be able to do this in any language,” Reiter says, underscoring his vision for a truly inclusive and far-reaching impact.

The journey to this point has not been without its challenges, but Reiter’s unwavering commitment to research and efficacy has been a guiding light. Through his involvement in the Catapult accelerator program, Reiter has found invaluable support and guidance from advisors.

“I couldn’t believe it. She called me out, and almost in a way that she knew me,” Reiter says of his startup advisor in Catapult. “I told her I was uncomfortable with marketing. So she challenged me, and I’ve embraced the challenge and as a result, I started putting myself out there, finally.”

As SAY IT Labs continues to refine its offerings and expand its reach, the future of speech therapy is poised for a transformative shift, one that promises to empower individuals and communities alike.