Wispr
Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer software |
| Founded | 2021 in San Francisco, CA, USA |
| Founder |
|
| Products | Flow |
| Website | https://wisprflow.ai/ |
Wispr AI is a software company founded in 2021 by Tanay Kothari and Sahaj Garg that develops voice-based interfaces for computers and other devices.[1] The company’s main product, Wispr Flow, is an AI-powered speech-to-text application available on macOS, Windows and iOS.[1][2]
History
[edit]Wispr was founded in 2021 with the goal of building a non-invasive wearable device that would allow users to control smartphones without touch input.[1] The device was intended to translate neurological signals into actions and to enable silent text entry by mouthing words, drawing on techniques similar to brain–computer interfaces.[1][2] Early funding was directed toward this hardware-focused effort.[3]
After around three years of development, Wispr concluded that contemporary AI systems were not sufficient for the requirements of the wearable device.[1] The company shifted its focus to Flow voice dictation software, the software layer originally built for the wearable, and in 2024 released a macOS application based on this platform.[2]
Wispr Flow
[edit]Wispr Flow (often referred to as Flow) is a speech-to-text application for macOS, Windows and iOS.[1][2] It provides real-time dictation and transcription in more than 100 languages and can operate across applications, including email clients, messaging platforms and chatbots.[1][2][4] In June 2025 Wispr released an iOS version that functions as a third-party keyboard, allowing voice input in any app.[2]
Technology
[edit]Wispr Flow is based on automatic speech recognition (ASR) and other AI models.[5] The system adapts to individual users over time, learning their vocabulary and preferred style with the aim of reducing manual editing.[1][6][5]
Flow operates through configurable “Flow Sessions”, defined as time windows during which the app has access to the microphone; users can set session timeouts or disable automatic time limits.[7]
Users and Adoption
[edit]Wispr initially targeted users such as venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and executives who process large volumes of text and often work in private or flexible environments.[5] The user base later expanded via platforms such as Product Hunt to students, software developers, writers, lawyers and consultants.[5] Flow has also been adopted by users with conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia, paralysis and carpal tunnel syndrome.[1][5]
About 40% of users are in the United States, 30% in Europe and the remaining 30% in other regions. More than 30% of users come from non-technical backgrounds.[3] Flow supports 104 languages, with approximately 40% of dictations in English and 60% in other languages, including Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Hindi and Mandarin.[3]
Wispr has reported monthly user growth above 50%, a six-month active-user retention rate of about 80%, a payment rate around 19%, and revenue of approximately US$3.8 million between July 2024 and July 2025.[5][8]
Development
[edit]Wispr has announced plans for an Android application and maintains waiting lists for Android, Linux and web versions of Flow.[2][7] The company is developing shared-context features for teams so that the software can recognize common terminology within organizations and has stated that it aims to evolve Flow into a broader AI assistant for tasks such as messaging, note-taking and reminders.[2][3] Wispr has also reported working with unnamed AI hardware partners on interaction layers for future devices.[3]
Funding
[edit]In 2025 Wispr raised US$30 million in a Series A funding round led by Menlo Ventures, with participation from NEA, 8VC and several individual investors, including Evan Sharp and Henry Ward.[1] Earlier investors include Neo, MVP Ventures and AIX Ventures.[1]
In November of that same year, the company raised a US$25 million Series A extension led by Notable Capital, with participation from Flight Fund, bringing its total funding to US$81 million.[9][10]
Wispr competes with other AI-based dictation and voice-input tools, including Aqua, Talktastic, Superwhisper and Betterdication.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Bloomberg, Sara (Jul 3, 2025). "Why Wispr pivoted away from making an AI-powered wearable, for now". San Francisco Business Times.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Mehta, Ivan (June 3, 2025). "Wispr Flow releases iOS app in a bid to make dictation feel effortless". TechCrunch.
- ^ a b c d e Mehta, Ivan (Jun 24, 2025). "Wispr Flow raises $30M from Menlo Ventures for its AI-powered dictation app". TechCrunch.
- ^ Caswell, Amanda (Oct 12, 2025). "This Claude writing hack boosted my productivity — and it's completely free". Tom's Guide.
- ^ a b c d e f "From "output" to "input" of AI voice, what are investors betting tens of millions of dollars on?". 36Kr European Central Station. Jul 29, 2025.
- ^ Fakile, Tosin; Allen, Gabby (Jun 11, 2025). "Tech Talk: A new iOS app boasts of effortless voice dictation on your phone". Tech Talk. Archived from the original on August 6, 2025. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
- ^ a b Mendes, Marcus (Jun 30, 2025). "Wispr Flow is an AI that transcribes what you say right from the iPhone keyboard". 9 to 5 Mac.
- ^ Das, Rahul (July 25, 2025). "Serial Entrepreneur Tanay Kothari to Share $56M Fundraising Secrets at Open Atlas Summit 2025". Good Returns.
- ^ Mehta, Ivan (Nov 20, 2025). "As its voice dictation app takes off, Wispr secures $25M from Notable Capital". TechCrunch.
- ^ "Wispr Raises $25M in Series A Extension". FINSMES. Nov 20, 2025.