Uplift AI is a Y Combinator S25 startup building foundational voice models for regional languages such as Urdu, Punjabi, and Balochi, delivered through APIs and SDKs. It aims to bring voice-first digital experiences like voice ecommerce and banking to the majority of the world's population that speaks only regional languages; its flagship model, Orator, speaks Urdu with human-like realism. In 2025 the company raised a $3.5M seed round led by Y Combinator with participation from Indus Valley Capital and others, with part of the funding earmarked for data labeling jobs in Pakistan. Uplift AI is based in San Francisco with a strong Pakistan presence.
Uplift AI
ActiveFoundational Voice Models for regional languages
Total raised
$4M
2 rounds
Stage
Seed
Sep 2025
Team
1-10
since 2025
Pricing
—
Founded
2025
San Francisco, United States
Agent-ready
—
Foundational voice models purpose-built for regional languages such as Urdu, Punjabi, and Balochi
Orator flagship model producing human-like Urdu text-to-speech
API and SDK delivery for embedding voice into applications
Text-to-speech for voice-first interfaces in underserved languages
Designed to power voice ecommerce, banking, and accessibility use cases
Developer-focused integration for web and mobile products
Locally grounded data pipeline including labeling work in Pakistan
Focus on natural prosody and realism for regional accents
12/100
Early
MCP server
Public API
Webhooks
OAuth 2.0
SDKs
No public agent surfaces detected yet.
Cumulative raise
From 2025 to 2026 · 2 rounds tracked
Total
$4M
Sep 2025 Seed $3.5M ● Y Combinator
Jan 2025 Seed $500K ● Y Combinator
Capital network
$4M raised ·5 backers·10 network links
- Backers5
- Shared portfoliocompanies these backers also fund
- Extended networkfunds that co-invest alongside them
ElevenLabs
The most realistic AI voices for creators, developers, and enterprise.
AI ChatbotsAI Voice & Speech
Quo
AI-driven business phone and front office for growing teams
AI Voice & SpeechAI Customer Support
Aira
On-demand visual interpreting that makes the world accessible for blind and low-vision people
AI Voice & SpeechAI Productivity
Typecast
Emotionally expressive AI voices and virtual actors
AI Voice & SpeechAI Digital Humans
Rylo
Real-time AI captioning and text-to-speech for deaf and hard-of-hearing users
AI Voice & SpeechAI Transcription
Prosper AI
Voice AI agents for healthcare patient access and prior auth
AI Voice & SpeechAI Healthcare
- Which languages does Uplift AI support?
- Uplift AI builds voice models for regional languages including Urdu, Punjabi, and Balochi, with its Orator model focused on human-like Urdu speech. The supported list is expanding over time.
- How is Uplift AI delivered to developers?
- It is delivered through APIs and SDKs, so developers can integrate text-to-speech and voice capabilities directly into web and mobile applications.
- What problem does Uplift AI solve?
- Much of the world speaks only regional languages that mainstream voice models serve poorly. Uplift AI provides high-quality, natural voice models so voice-first experiences like commerce and banking can reach those users.
- Who is behind Uplift AI?
- Uplift AI is a Y Combinator S25 company that raised a $3.5M seed round led by Y Combinator with participation from Indus Valley Capital and others, with part of the funding supporting data labeling jobs in Pakistan.
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