Boston-based voice intelligence startup Modulate has raised $25 in new funding for its platform that uses an array of small models to offer enterprises transcription, analysis, deepfake and AI music detection, and policy enforcement for voice agents in regulated industries.
The funding follows a popular trend among investors in the voice AI industry: backing companies that are trying to make AI voices sound more human.
Modulate’s new funding was led by Future Ventures with participation from Hyperplane and Lakestar. Data from PitchBook showed that the startup had raised $41 million in funding at a $170 million valuation before this round.
The startup was founded in 2017 by Mike Pappas and Carter Huffman, who met as MIT physics undergrads. In its early days, the company focused on providing voice modulation for gaming.
With the onset of voice AI models, the company is now concentrating on detecting different sorts of AI audio generation and analyzing intent behind a person’s words.
The company today runs more than 100 models that are categorized into two sections: Signal extraction models to understand vocal emotion, tone, language, and synthetic voice determination; and Analysis/detection models that look at intent, like what the customer is trying to say, whether the caller is violating rules, or whether they are trying to scam the receiver.
Plus, it’s easier for the company to train models with newer capacities, add them to the lot, and have an orchestrator call them when needed.
Huffman said Modulate can give granular data to enterprises around that.
The startup now has 40-45 workers and aims to add 10 more people in the coming months to bolster model building.