Key facts
- Uhura Bionics founder Konrad Zieliński developed wearable devices to help people who have lost their voice boxes speak with emotion.
- The company offers a basic model for $500 and a high-end version called Whitney for $1,500.
- Uhura Bionics is seeking Class I medical device classification in Europe and the U.S. to allow for health insurance reimbursement.
- Zieliński estimates the market size for devices serving laryngectomees at about $2 billion.
Konrad Zieliński, who lost his voice to cancer years ago, has founded Uhura Bionics to create wearable devices that allow individuals who have had their larynxes removed to speak with emotion. Traditional solutions for laryngectomees include handheld speaking devices with robotic voices or surgically implanted prostheses requiring maintenance. Zieliński's non-invasive approach aims to enable users to express a full range of emotions, including laughter and shouting.
Uhura Bionics, selected for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026’s Battlefield 200, offers two products: a basic model and a premium version named Whitney. Zieliński hopes Whitney will become as essential to laryngectomees as glasses are to those with poor eyesight. The company is currently pursuing Class I medical device classification in Europe and the U.S., which would facilitate partial reimbursement through health insurance. Currently, the devices are sold as wellness products, requiring out-of-pocket payment.
Zieliński estimates the market for laryngectomee devices at approximately $2 billion, with potential for growth if Uhura expands to address other speech disorders. The company faces competition from established medical device companies like Atos Medical and other startups. Zieliński plans to demonstrate Whitney's capabilities, including singing, at TechCrunch Disrupt and SF Tech Week.