TRT Speech Labs ready to show Hello Audrey

Launched in 2019, Racine-based TRT Speech Labs created Hello Audrey, software that aids in speech therapy. The innovative technology company has been named one of the semi-finalists in the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest.

To move the Hello Audrey closer towards a release date, company co-founders Dr. Benjamin Taft and Joey Tenuta spent a significant amount of time in 2023 participating in programs designed to strengthen the region’s startup ecosystem.

TRT Speech Labs enrolled in UW-Milwaukee’s Ignite Startup Incubator. The 11-month accelerator program introduced the emerging business to Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding opportunities, in addition to providing customized support as the company developed its MVP (minimum viable product). Taft and Tenuta will complete the 11-month program in May.

The semi-finalists also completed the Kenosha g-BETA program in 2023. Program mentors connected the team to Mile Marker, a Madison-based software development company.

Taft, who has been working on the technology behind the software for over a decade, explained that the software development company was instrumental in the completion of the company’s MVP in February.

“They have done a really good job,” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to do all the stuff that they’ve done because they have both the numbers and skills that I don’t have, so that was great. It’s really exciting to have an app that people could actually use, rather than just an idea.”

The software is currently being piloted by an organization that provides speech therapy services. In the next phase of the pilot, caregivers and young speech-therapy clients will work with the app.

While the company continues to refine its MVP, the team is preparing to compete in the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest.

“I’m not going to lie, $100,000 of non-diluting capital is attractive,” Tenuta said.

“What I’m learning, because we made it to the semi-finals, is there are a lot of good connections and great information (in the contest). I started realizing that, if you can get to the final twelve, that alone has some value to it,” Tenuta said, explaining that a number of people have reached out to the company since the list of semi-finalists was announced.

“It got me thinking, if we could get to the finals, we could really get some exposure for Hello Audrey,” he said. “We’re learning from everything we’re doing. We’re seeing new horizons and new opportunities ahead of us.”

To learn more about TRT Speech Labs, connect with the company here.