Purdue Startup Joins Project Literacy Lab

Autistic children can use the app to help them communicate. (photo courtesy SPEAK MODalities)

West Lafayette-based SPEAK MODalities has joined an international entrepreneurial accelerator aimed at closing the global literacy gap by 2030. The Purdue-affiliated startup says joining the Project Literacy Lab will help amplify its growth and expand the reach of its products to more people.

Project Literacy, co-founded by London-based Pearson, is a 10-day program connecting startups with business and entrepreneurship experts. SPEAK Modalities helps autistic children improve their communication and reading skills and says, by participating in the program, the company will be matched with mentorship and financing opportunities.

"Project Literacy Lab is an opportunity to network with other companies and, potentially, establish mutually beneficial relationships that can help each business grow," said Mike Zentner, chief executive officer of SPEAK MODalities. "It is important to see large companies, like Pearson, participating in campaigns that have business and social impacts. We want to join this community of entrepreneurs with an emphasis on social impact."

SPEAK MODalities developed the SPEAKall! app, which helps nonverbal autistic children communicate. The app was featured in the November 2016 edition of the Life Sciences INdiana e-newsletter.