New Delhi: For most people, speech flows effortlessly—a seamless bridge between thought and expression. But for millions living with stuttering and other communication disorders, every sentence can feel like an obstacle course. Viraj Kulkarni, Founder and CEO of Iyaso, is working to change that through advanced artificial intelligence.
Viraj’s journey spans three startups, more than 20 research publications, and a sabbatical from a PhD in quantum computing and machine learning. These experiences ultimately converged around a single question: how can technology help people speak with greater confidence, clarity, and control?
Iyaso represents the culmination of over a decade spent building AI systems for healthcare. The company develops AI-powered speech therapy applications that support people with stuttering and a wide range of communication challenges. Its tools analyze speech patterns in real time, deliver personalized exercises, and integrate with professional therapy—bringing greater accessibility, consistency, and scale to speech care. “Speech is deeply human,” Viraj says. “If AI can help people express themselves without fear, that’s one of the most meaningful uses of technology.”
A three-time founder, Viraj has previously built AI healthcare products that progressed from early prototypes to US FDA clearance and real-world clinical use. His ability to bridge deep science, regulatory rigor, and patient-centered design has become a defining strength.
Before fully committing to entrepreneurship, he pursued research at the frontier of quantum computing and machine learning. Although he loved theoretical elegance, he ultimately stepped away from his PhD to focus on technologies with immediate human impact. “Healthcare felt like where I could make a real difference,” he reflects.
A lifelong programmer, Viraj remains deeply hands-on, working comfortably across the entire technology stack. His story is one of convergence—where research, engineering, and human need come together to reshape speech therapy and empower millions to speak with confidence.
“If technology can help someone say even one sentence with more confidence,” he says, “then it’s worth everything.”
