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Vlingo has raised $27.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Key people at Vlingo.
Vlingo has raised $27.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Vlingo developed advanced voice recognition software designed for mobile applications, providing a natural language interface for devices. The company's core technology centered on transforming spoken commands into actionable tasks, enabling users to interact with their smartphones through voice. This system utilized sophisticated speech-to-text capabilities and natural language processing to interpret user intent and facilitate various mobile functions.
The company was co-founded in 2006 by Mike Phillips, a recognized pioneer in speech-to-text technologies, among others. The founding insight stemmed from the growing demand for more intuitive and hands-free interaction with mobile devices, anticipating a future where voice would be a primary input method. This vision aimed to bridge the gap between human communication and machine functionality, leveraging expertise in auditory processing.
Vlingo's product served a broad base of mobile users seeking enhanced accessibility and convenience in their daily device interactions. The company's overarching vision was to empower individuals to seamlessly control their mobile experiences using their voice, simplifying complex tasks and fostering a more integrated digital lifestyle. It sought to make mobile technology more approachable and responsive through intelligent voice commands.
Vlingo has raised $27.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Vlingo's investors include CRV, Gutbrain Ventures.
Key people at Vlingo.
Vlingo has raised $27.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $20.0M Series B in April 2008.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 2008 | $20M Series B | — | CRV, Gutbrain Ventures | Announced |
| Aug 1, 2007 | $7M Series A | — | CRV, Gutbrain Ventures | Announced |
Vlingo was a technology company that developed virtual assistance solutions using voice-to-text technology, natural language processing, and an intent engine to convert spoken commands into actions like connecting users to people, businesses, or services.[1] Primarily targeting mobile users on platforms including Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, Nokia, and Windows Phone, Vlingo positioned itself as a versatile "Siri for Android" equivalent, solving the problem of hands-free interaction in an era before widespread voice assistants.[1][4] Founded in 2006 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it raised $26.5M from investors like CRV, Sigma Partners, and Yahoo before being acquired by Nuance Communications in December 2011 amid patent disputes.[1][2][4]
Vlingo was co-founded in 2006 by speech recognition veterans Mike Phillips and John Nguyen, who broke away from Nuance Communications to launch the venture.[2][3] Phillips, a pioneer in speech-to-text technology, brought deep expertise from prior roles, while Nguyen shared a similar background in the field.[2][5] The idea emerged during the mid-2000s boom in mobile voice tech, with early funding of $6.5M from Charles River Ventures fueling development.[3] Pivotal moments included legal battles—Nuance sued Vlingo for patent infringement in 2008, leading to countersuits and patent acquisitions by Vlingo—culminating in Nuance's acquisition in 2011.[2][4]
Vlingo rode the early 2000s wave of speech recognition advancements, emerging amid mergers like Nuance's acquisitions and Microsoft's Tellme buy, just before Siri (2011) and Google Voice Search popularized consumer voice interfaces.[2] Its timing capitalized on smartphone proliferation and demand for hands-free computing, influencing the ecosystem by challenging incumbents like Nuance through innovation and litigation, which accelerated patent-driven consolidation.[2][4] Market forces favoring mobile AI and natural language processing worked in its favor, positioning Vlingo as a key player in paving the way for modern assistants, though acquisition integrated its tech into Nuance's dominance.[1][2]
Post-2011 acquisition, Vlingo ceased independent operations, with its technology absorbed into Nuance's portfolio, enhancing products like Dragon Go amid ongoing voice AI evolution.[1][4] Founders like Phillips later pursued new ventures, such as Sense Labs, signaling continued influence in speech tech.[5] Looking ahead, Vlingo's legacy endures in today's voice ecosystems—shaping trends like multimodal AI and edge computing on mobiles—though as acquired IP, its direct evolution ties to Nuance's trajectory under potential future consolidations in big tech voice wars. This underscores how scrappy innovators like Vlingo fuel the virtual assistance revolution that began in Cambridge labs.
