Draft:Kintsugi
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Healthcare artificial intelligence |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founders | Grace Chang, Rima Seiilova-Olson |
| Headquarters | Berkeley, California, U.S. |
Kintsugi is a healthcare artificial intelligence company founded in 2019 and based in Berkeley, California. The company develops machine learning systems designed to analyze acoustic characteristics of human speech as potential indicators of depression and anxiety.
Kintsugi’s technology has been covered in national publications including The New York Times, Forbes, TechCrunch, and CNBC.[1][2][3][4]
Technology
[edit]Kintsugi develops artificial intelligence systems that analyze non-semantic acoustic features of short voice samples, including pitch variability, speech rate, pauses, and other paralinguistic characteristics. The company’s approach focuses on measurable vocal properties rather than analyzing the semantic content of speech.
The use of vocal biomarkers to assess mental health conditions has been described as part of a broader effort to identify objective indicators for psychiatric disorders.[1]
Research
[edit]Research underlying Kintsugi’s voice biomarker systems received support through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards from the U.S. National Science Foundation.[5]
In 2025, evaluation of an AI-based voice biomarker tool associated with the company’s work was published in the peer-reviewed journal Annals of Family Medicine.[6]
Funding and recognition
[edit]Kintsugi raised venture capital funding including a reported $8 million seed round and a $20 million Series A round.[7][8]
The company was included in the Forbes AI 50 list.[9]
In 2023, Kintsugi was named to Fierce Healthcare’s "Fierce 15" list recognizing emerging healthcare companies.[10]
In 2024, Kintsugi was selected as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum.[11]
Regulatory engagement
[edit]Kintsugi pursued regulatory clearance through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s De Novo pathway for medical devices. Company representatives participated in public discussions related to generative AI-enabled digital mental health medical devices during meetings of the FDA’s Digital Health Advisory Committee.[12]
See also
[edit]- Artificial intelligence in healthcare
- Digital health
- Voice biometrics
References
[edit]- 1 2 Williams, Ingrid K. (April 5, 2022). "Can A.I.-Driven Voice Analysis Help Identify Mental Disorders?". The New York Times.
- ↑ Levine, Alexandra (May 12, 2022). "Mental Health Startup Uses Voice Biomarkers To Detect Depression And Anxiety". Forbes.
- ↑ "Depressed? This algorithm can tell from the tone of your voice". TechCrunch. May 31, 2022.
- ↑ "Here's how AI-backed tools can help worker stress and mental health". CNBC. June 1, 2023.
- ↑ "NSF Award #1938831". National Science Foundation.
- ↑ Mazur, Alexa; Costantino, Harrison; Tom, Prentice; Wilson, Michael P.; Thompson, Ronald G. (January–February 2025). "Evaluation of an AI-Based Voice Biomarker Tool to Detect Signals Consistent With Moderate to Severe Depression". Annals of Family Medicine. 23 (1): 60–65. doi:10.1370/afm.240091. PMID 39805690.
- ↑ "AI mental health startup Kintsugi secures $8M". Fierce Healthcare.
- ↑ "Kintsugi banks $20M to scale voice biomarker-based mental health tech". Fierce Healthcare.
- ↑ "AI 50". Forbes.
- ↑ "Fierce Healthcare's Fierce 15". Fierce Healthcare.
- ↑ "Technology Pioneers 2024". World Economic Forum.
- ↑ "Digital Health Advisory Committee Meeting Transcript – November 6, 2025". U.S. Food and Drug Administration.