Oxfordshire based startup Silence Speaks heard this month that they have been named as the recipient of the StartUp For Good Award at the UK finals of the StartUp Awards 2024. This award has kindly been sponsored by Vestd.
“We are delighted to have won the ‘Startup for Good’ category at the UK Startup Awards. This prestigious recognition provides us with invaluable exposure to potential partners, social enterprises, charities, and enterprise customers who serve sign language users and their families and friends. ‘It’s an honor to be recognized for our work,’ said the Founder and CEO of Silence Speaks
The exciting startup utilizes the very latest in Generative AI Technology Innovation – but at heart, it is about people. Silence Speaks founder Pavan Madduru points out that they exist: “To enable and encourage social inclusion by using an application that allows hearing/speech impaired for the “community of challenged Deaf people; sign & non-sign language users.” Described as “a deep tech AI app helping Deaf & aphonic for the future,” Silence Speaks essentially enables social interactions in real time for the hearing and speech impaired around the world. It is a unique app that helps and enables sign language users (hearing/speech impaired persons) to integrate with hearing users for basic services such as transportation, healthcare, work, study and communication.
With a passion for social inclusion, Silence Speaks is calling out for Interpreters, End Users, Advocacy Companies, Schools, Colleges and hearing/speech impaired advocacy groups to partner with them, ensuring maximum end value obtained from qualified insights and inputs. The Founder says the company’s unique objective is to provide seamless services to 250,000 British sign-language users by 2025. “Going further, we aim to make it possible for 70 million sign language users across the globe.”
The UK StartUp Awards, supported by national banking partner Starling Bank offer a chance for businesses to gain recognition and exposure, build brand visibility, make industry contacts, and network with potential investors, all while celebrating the incredible achievements of start-ups in the early years of their business journey. Following over 1600 entries from ten nations and regions across the UK, thirty five different awards were given out to new businesses at the national final in categories such as Graduate StartUp of the Year, Business to Business Services StartUp of the Year and Social Enterprise StartUp of the Year.
Adeel Hyder, MD of SME Banking at Starling Bank says: “Attending the inaugural national final of the UK Startup Awards was an inspirational experience. It was uplifting to see so many young businesses thriving – particularly after the difficulties of the past few years. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists, They are a welcome boost to the UK economy creating job opportunities and developing skills to drive growth.”
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, founder of the UK StartUp Awards, praised the winners, noting that this year’s national winners not only showcase the best of UK entrepreneurship but also serve as inspiring role models for others considering starting a business. He said: “We’ve had some fantastic businesses apply this year and the winners at the first-ever UK final represent the ‘best of the best’ entrepreneurial new businesses from all nations and regions. From innovative ventures developing AI, Cleantech, and MedTech to outstanding firms in sectors such as consumer products, fashion and beauty, and tourism and leisure, those that have won this year’s awards demonstrate the incredible entrepreneurial talent that exists across the UK.”
Featured Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash.