Sayspring

High-Level Overview

Sayspring was a technology company that built an easy-to-use, no-code prototyping platform for designing interactive voice applications for devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.[1][2][3] It enabled designers, developers, and non-technical users to rapidly create, test, and iterate on speech-based interfaces through a drag-and-drop visual workflow, solving the problem of complex coding required for voice app development.[1][2][4] The platform served creators building voice experiences for smart speakers, mobile apps, and emerging AI interfaces, addressing early frustrations in prototyping voice UIs before mainstream tools supported them.[2][4] Sayspring raised $1.6M from investors including Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator and Remarkable Ventures before being acquired by Adobe in 2018, after which its technology integrated into Adobe XD for voice prototyping.[2][3][4]

Origin Story

Sayspring emerged in the mid-2010s amid the rise of voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, filling a gap in no-code tools for voice design.[1][3] Founded in New York City (headquartered at 415 Madison Ave), the team developed a collaborative platform that mirrored visual design workflows—wireframes, prototypes, and user testing—for voice apps, allowing code-free creation and feedback collection.[1][2][3] Key early traction came from its focus on intuitive prototyping, attracting designers experimenting with voice amid growing smart speaker adoption.[2][4] A pivotal moment arrived in April 2018 when Adobe acquired Sayspring, with the team joining immediately to integrate its tech into Adobe's ecosystem, making services free (invite-only at the time).[3][4]

Core Differentiators

• No-Code Drag-and-Drop Interface: Enabled rapid creation of interactive voice prototypes without programming, using visual tools akin to graphic design software.[1][2][6]
• Collaborative Workflow: Supported team-based design, testing, and iteration for voice UIs, including user feedback collection—unique for voice at the time.[1][3]
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Optimized for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, with potential for mobile and hybrid voice experiences.[1][2][4]
• Seamless Integration Post-Acquisition: Adobe embedded Sayspring's capabilities into XD, Illustrator, and other tools, easing voice prototyping for creatives and addressing prior tool limitations.[2][4]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Sayspring rode the voice interface boom of the late 2010s, as consumers shifted from screens to natural voice interactions via smart speakers and AI assistants, marking an "inflection point" in human-device communication.[4][5] Its timing aligned with explosive growth in Alexa and Google Home ecosystems, where developers needed fast prototyping amid limited native tools—Adobe's acquisition accelerated voice into creative workflows like XD, influencing design software evolution.[2][4] Market forces favoring conversational AI and no-code platforms amplified its impact, democratizing voice app development and paving the way for voice in marketing, documents, and creative tools (e.g., Photoshop voice commands).[4][5] By integrating into Adobe's Sensei AI platform, Sayspring helped shape enterprise voice adoption, reducing waste in development cycles and boosting accessibility for non-coders.[5]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Post-acquisition, Sayspring's legacy lives on within Adobe, powering voice features in XD and potentially expanding to Sensei-driven tools for Document Cloud, Creative Cloud, and beyond—enabling voice search, automation, and natural interactions in professional software.[2][4][5] Looking ahead, as voice AI evolves with multimodal interfaces (voice + vision) and generative models, Adobe could leverage this foundation for next-gen experiences amid rising ambient computing trends. Its early no-code innovation positions Adobe to influence how creators build for always-listening devices, sustaining Sayspring's role in designing the future of intuitive, voice-first interfaces.[1][4]