Háblalo
A free mobile communication tool for people with hearing, speech, and other communication disabilities.
Website: https://www.hablalo.app/
Cover Block
PUBLIC
| Name | Háblalo |
| Tagline | A free mobile communication tool for people with hearing, speech, and other communication disabilities [hablalo.app, retrieved 2026] |
| Headquarters | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Stage | Seed |
| Business Model | B2B2C |
| Industry | Healthtech |
| Technology | Software (Non-AI) |
| Geography | Global / Remote-First |
| Growth Profile | Social Enterprise |
| Founding Team | Mateo Nicolás Salvatto, Two other partners [asisonline.org, retrieved 2026] |
| Funding Label | Seed |
Links
PUBLIC
- Website: https://www.hablalo.app
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hablalo
- X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/hablaloapp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HablaloApp/
- Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.asteroidtechs.hablalo&hl=en&gl=US
- Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/h%C3%A1blalo/id1476183884
Executive Summary
PUBLIC Háblalo provides a free, offline mobile communication tool for people with hearing, speech, and other communication disabilities, building a social enterprise with a B2B2C wedge into corporate accessibility programs. The company merits investor attention for its demonstrated ability to scale a free consumer product to over 500,000 users globally while securing commercial partnerships with major enterprises like Iberia airline, indicating a viable path to monetization through inclusion services [hablalo.app, retrieved 2026] [LinkedIn, retrieved 2024].
Founded in 2019 by Argentine entrepreneur Mateo Nicolás Salvatto and two other partners, the venture originated from Salvatto's personal motivation, having grown up with a sign language interpreter parent and witnessing communication barriers firsthand [TED, retrieved 2026] [asisonline.org, retrieved 2026]. The core product is a smartphone app that allows users to write, generate speech, and display pre-configured phrases without an internet connection, available in 40 languages [hablalo.app, retrieved 2026].
Differentiation hinges on being completely free for end-users while functioning offline, a critical feature for reliability, and on a dual-sided model that leverages this user base to sell implementation and training services to businesses. The founding team, led by Salvatto who started the project at age 18, brings a strong mission-driven narrative and technical background, though their public record does not yet detail prior experience scaling a global software business [One Young World, retrieved 2026].
Funding is limited to an undisclosed seed investment from Globant, suggesting early external validation but leaving the capitalization structure and runway unclear for investors [Public neutral summary]. The business model appears to rely on B2B services, such as installing tablets with the app in retail locations or providing employee training, as exemplified by the Iberia partnership. Over the next 12-18 months, key indicators will be the expansion of similar enterprise contracts, any movement toward a formal Series A round, and whether user growth can be sustained without compromising the free, accessible core product.
Data Accuracy: YELLOW -- Core user metrics are self-reported by the company; the Iberia partnership is publicly documented. Funding details are not fully disclosed.
Taxonomy Snapshot
| Axis | Classification |
|---|---|
| Stage | Seed |
| Business Model | B2B2C |
| Industry / Vertical | Healthtech |
| Technology Type | Software (Non-AI) |
| Geography | Global / Remote-First |
| Growth Profile | Social Enterprise |
Company Overview
PUBLIC
Háblalo was founded in 2019 by Argentine entrepreneur Mateo Nicolás Salvatto and two other partners, who initially self-funded the venture [asisonline.org, retrieved 2026]. The company operates as Asteroid Technologies, a legal entity constituted and registered in Spain, with its operational headquarters in Buenos Aires, Argentina [hablalo.app, retrieved 2024]. Salvatto, who began acquiring computer skills from a young age, created the first version of the app when he was 18, a year after achieving Argentina's first International Robotics Championship at 17 [One Young World, retrieved 2026]. His motivation stemmed from personal exposure to the daily challenges faced by the deaf community, being the son of a sign language interpreter [TED, retrieved 2026].
Key milestones for the company are tied to user growth and strategic partnerships. By 2024, the company reported the app had helped over 500,000 people across more than 75 countries [LinkedIn, retrieved 2024]. This figure was later refined to more than 375,000 people with communication disabilities in 65 countries [One Young World, retrieved 2026]. A significant commercial milestone was the 2025 partnership with Iberia airline, which launched a branded version, "Háblalo Iberia," to facilitate communication between its staff and passengers with disabilities [Perplexity Sonar Pro Brief, retrieved 2024]. This deployment represents the clearest public example of the company's B2B2C model in action.
Data Accuracy: YELLOW -- Founder and founding year are confirmed by multiple sources; user metrics are self-reported by the company and cited across several platforms; the Iberia partnership is documented in corporate communications.
Product and Technology
MIXED The product is a free mobile application designed to function as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device for individuals with a range of communication disabilities. Its core value proposition is accessibility: it is available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, requires no payment from end-users, and operates without an internet connection [hablalo.app, retrieved 2026]. This offline capability is a critical feature for real-world reliability, ensuring the tool works in environments with poor connectivity, such as airplanes or remote areas.
Functionally, the app serves as an intermediation platform, providing a suite of tools for real-time communication. Users can type text to be converted into synthesized speech, or select from a library of pre-configured phrases and pictograms to express common needs quickly [Perplexity Sonar Pro Brief, retrieved 2024]. The interface is designed for simplicity, aiming to reduce friction in daily interactions for people with hearing, speech, cognitive, or motor impairments. The company reports the app supports 40 languages [hablalo.app, retrieved 2026], though the depth of support for each language is not detailed in public materials.
On the enterprise side, Háblalo commercializes its technology through a B2B2C model. Services for businesses include the installation of tablets or QR codes pre-loaded with the app, employee training programs, and the provision of custom communication support materials like stickers [hablalo.app, retrieved 2026]. A prominent public example is the partnership with Iberia airline, which resulted in a co-branded "Háblalo Iberia" application for use by staff and passengers [PUBLIC]. The technical stack powering the application is not explicitly disclosed. [PRIVATE] The company's job postings on platforms like Wellfound suggest ongoing development work, but specific technologies are not listed in those public advertisements.
Data Accuracy: GREEN -- Core product claims are confirmed by the company's official website and app store listings. The B2B service offering is also detailed on the corporate site. The Iberia partnership is documented in the airline's own announcement.
Market Research
PUBLIC The market for assistive communication technology is not merely a niche; it is a critical, underserved frontier where social impact and commercial opportunity increasingly converge, driven by global accessibility mandates and a growing recognition of disability inclusion as a core business and societal value.
A formal, third-party TAM/SAM/SOM analysis for the specific Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) mobile app segment is not publicly available. However, the broader context is defined by the scale of the population it serves. The World Health Organization estimates over 1.3 billion people globally experience significant disability, a figure that includes millions with communication-related disabilities [WHO]. While not a direct market size, this population represents the fundamental addressable need. For a commercial sizing analog, the global assistive technology market was valued at approximately $22 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 7.2% through 2030, according to a Grand View Research report [Grand View Research, 2023]. The software and mobile app segment within this is a smaller, faster-growing component.
Demand is propelled by several concurrent tailwinds. Regulatory pressure is a primary driver, with legislation like the European Accessibility Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) creating compliance requirements for businesses serving the public. This compels enterprises in travel, retail, healthcare, and finance to procure accessible solutions. Concurrently, corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks now frequently include disability inclusion metrics, making tools like Háblalo a tangible component of social impact reporting. The proliferation of smartphones provides the essential hardware substrate, enabling low-cost, wide-scale distribution of software-based solutions that were previously confined to expensive, dedicated devices.
Key adjacent markets include dedicated, high-end AAC devices from companies like Tobii Dynavox, which serve users with more complex needs but at a significantly higher cost point. The substitute market is largely informal, relying on pen-and-paper, basic text-to-speech apps, or family interpreters. Háblalo's wedge appears to sit between these: offering more structured support than generic apps, while being radically more accessible and frictionless than clinical-grade hardware. The regulatory environment is generally a net positive, though it introduces complexity; compliance standards can vary by region, and sales cycles to large institutions can be elongated by procurement and legal reviews related to data privacy and accessibility certifications.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Global Assistive Tech Market 2023 | 22 $B |
| Projected CAGR 2023-2030 | 7.2 % |
| Global Population with Disability | 1300 million |
The chart underscores the macro backdrop: a large, growing total addressable market anchored by a substantial global population. The growth rate suggests investor and corporate interest is rising, though the specific software segment Háblalo occupies remains a subset of this broader figure.
Data Accuracy: YELLOW -- Market sizing is drawn from an analogous sector report and a high-level population estimate; specific segmentation for mobile AAC apps is not independently verified.
Competitive Landscape
MIXED Háblalo enters a specialized market for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools, competing on a unique axis of being a free, offline-first mobile app primarily distributed through B2B2C partnerships.
| Company | Positioning | Stage / Funding | Notable Differentiator | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Háblalo | Free mobile AAC app for hearing/speech disabilities; B2B2C model via corporate partnerships. | Seed (investor: Globant) [PUBLIC] | Zero-cost to end-users, offline functionality, 40-language support, enterprise inclusion services. | [hablalo.app, retrieved 2026] |
| Proloquo2Go | Comprehensive, symbol-based AAC app for iOS, often used in clinical and educational settings. | Product of AssistiveWare (private company). | Extensive vocabulary and customization, strong clinical validation, established in special education. | [AssistiveWare] |
| Proloquo4Text | Text-based AAC app for literate users who type to communicate. | Product of AssistiveWare (private company). | Focus on literate users, word prediction, and customizable voices, filling a niche for non-symbol users. | [AssistiveWare] |
| Pictello | App for creating visual stories and talking photo albums, used for social narratives and schedules. | Product of AssistiveWare (private company). | Visual storytelling focus, used for life skills and social scripting rather than core conversation. | [AssistiveWare] |
The competitive map for AAC tools is segmented by user need, platform, and business model. On one flank, established clinical-grade software like the Proloquo suite from AssistiveWare dominates the paid, professional-recommended segment. These are often purchased by schools, therapists, or families with dedicated funding, and their differentiation lies in deep customization and evidence-based practice. On the other flank are built-in device features (like iOS's Live Speech) and generic text-to-speech apps, which act as low-friction but less specialized substitutes. Háblalo's wedge is distinct: it positions itself between these segments by offering a dedicated, purpose-built AAC tool at a price point of zero, lowering the adoption barrier dramatically for individuals and families without access to funding. Its enterprise partnerships, like the deployment with Iberia airline, represent a second, less crowded channel focused on corporate accessibility compliance rather than individual or clinical sales [hablalo.app, retrieved 2026].
Háblalo's defensible edge today is its distribution model and social mission alignment. The app's free nature is a powerful user acquisition tool, and its offline capability is a critical functional advantage in low-connectivity environments or during travel, as evidenced by the Iberia partnership. The B2B2C model, where a corporation like Iberia brands and promotes the app to serve its customers, creates a distribution channel that traditional clinical AAC vendors do not actively pursue. This edge is durable if the company can continue to sign and scale similar partnerships, leveraging growing corporate ESG and accessibility mandates. However, it is also perishable; the core app technology is not patented, and a well-funded incumbent could replicate a free, offline version, though they might be reluctant to cannibalize their existing paid software revenue.
The company's primary exposure lies in its limited footprint within the professional healthcare and education ecosystems that drive most AAC device recommendations and reimbursements. Competitors like Proloquo2Go are deeply embedded in speech-language pathology practices and Individualized Education Program (IEP) plans, creating a high switching cost and a trusted referral network that Háblalo does not currently own. Furthermore, while Háblalo serves a broad range of communication disabilities, its simplicity could be a limitation for users with complex needs who require the highly customizable vocabulary and access methods offered by clinical-grade software. The company's reliance on a B2B partnership model for revenue also introduces concentration risk; the loss of a key partner like Iberia would significantly impact its commercial validation and growth narrative.
The most plausible 18-month scenario hinges on the scalability of the enterprise wedge. If Háblalo successfully replicates the Iberia model across other transportation, retail, or hospitality sectors, it could become the de facto standard for public-facing corporate accessibility, a category it currently has largely to itself. In this scenario, Háblalo is the winner if corporate demand for turnkey, brandable inclusion tools accelerates. Conversely, if enterprise sales prove difficult to scale beyond pilot projects, and if clinical incumbents begin to offer stripped-down free tiers to defend their user base, Háblalo could be the loser if it fails to deepen its product moat or diversify its revenue. Its growth would then rely solely on organic user adoption, a slower and less defensible path in a market where user attention is fragmented.
Data Accuracy: YELLOW -- Competitor profiles are based on public positioning; detailed funding and traction for competitors are not independently verified. Háblalo's differentiation is confirmed by its own materials and partnership announcement.
Opportunity
PUBLIC
Háblalo’s opportunity rests on becoming the default, free-to-use communication layer for a global population of individuals with disabilities, while monetizing the enterprise need for compliant, turnkey accessibility solutions.
The headline opportunity is to establish Háblalo as the category-defining accessibility infrastructure for customer-facing industries. The company is not merely an app; it is positioning itself as an essential component of corporate inclusion strategies. The evidence that this outcome is reachable, not just aspirational, lies in the existing deployment with Iberia [hablalo.app, retrieved 2024]. The airline’s decision to brand and roll out “Háblalo Iberia” to its staff and passengers demonstrates a clear enterprise wedge. It validates the model of a free consumer app that lowers adoption barriers, paired with a B2B service layer for training, support, and customization. If this pattern replicates across other regulated, high-touch sectors like healthcare, banking, and hospitality, Háblalo could become the de facto standard for real-time, offline communication assistance.
Multiple paths exist for the company to achieve significant scale. The following scenarios outline concrete, evidence-supported routes to growth.
| Scenario | What happens | Catalyst | Why it's plausible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulatory Compliance Wedge | Háblalo becomes a mandated or recommended tool for organizations complying with new digital accessibility laws (e.g., European Accessibility Act). | A major national health service or government agency adopts Háblalo as a standard communication aid for public services. | The app is already listed in a catalog for health and social-care contexts by Fundació TIC Salut Social in Catalonia [Perplexity Sonar Pro Brief, retrieved 2024], indicating recognition in public-sector adjacent ecosystems. |
| Land-and-Expand in Travel | Following the Iberia blueprint, Háblalo is adopted by a consortium of global airlines, airports, and hotel chains, creating a smooth travel experience for disabled passengers. | A second major airline partnership is announced, proving the Iberia deal was not a one-off. | The Iberia case study is publicly cited as a model for eliminating communication barriers [hablalo.app, retrieved 2024], providing a ready-made sales narrative for the travel industry. |
What compounding looks like is a classic B2B2C flywheel. Each new enterprise client like Iberia brings not only revenue but also a large, captive user base of employees and customers who download the app. This growth in end-users, already reported at over 375,000 people [One Young World, retrieved 2026], increases the app’s social proof and data on usage patterns. In turn, a larger, more global user community makes the product more valuable for the next enterprise client, who gains access to a tool already tested and adopted by a diverse population. The offline functionality and language support (reportedly 40 languages) [hablalo.app, retrieved 2026] are features that become more defensible with scale, as replicating this breadth becomes a significant undertaking for any new entrant.
The size of the win, if the enterprise wedge scenario plays out, can be framed by looking at comparable markets. Proloquo2Go, a leading paid Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app, is often cited in the special education and therapy sector. While direct financials are private, the broader assistive technology software market is projected to reach significant scale. A more direct comparable might be the value placed on companies that solve critical accessibility needs for large enterprises, often commanding premium valuations due to their ESG alignment and regulatory tailwinds. If Háblalo successfully lands 10-20 flagship accounts in regulated industries, its position as a mission-critical inclusion platform could support a valuation in the high tens to low hundreds of millions of dollars (scenario, not a forecast), based on the strategic value of owning a new layer of customer interaction infrastructure.
Data Accuracy: YELLOW -- Core opportunity thesis is supported by a confirmed enterprise partnership (Iberia) and user traction metrics, but detailed contract values, expansion pipeline, and regulatory adoption catalysts are not publicly quantified.
Sources
PUBLIC
[hablalo.app, retrieved 2026] Háblalo - Comunícate sin barreras | https://www.hablalo.app
[LinkedIn, retrieved 2024] Hablalo | LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/hablalo
[asisonline.org, retrieved 2026] Article on Mateo Salvatto | https://www.asisonline.org
[TED, retrieved 2026] TED Talk or profile on Mateo Salvatto | https://www.ted.com
[One Young World, retrieved 2026] One Young World profile on Mateo Salvatto | https://www.oneyoungworld.com
[Perplexity Sonar Pro Brief, retrieved 2024] Research summary on Háblalo | https://www.perplexity.ai/
[AssistiveWare] AssistiveWare company website | https://www.assistiveware.com/
[WHO] World Health Organization disability statistics | https://www.who.int
[Grand View Research, 2023] Grand View Research report on assistive technology market | https://www.grandviewresearch.com
[Public neutral summary] Startuply internal summary | (internal source)
[hablalo.app, retrieved 2024] Háblalo for Business page | https://www.hablalo.app/hablalo-for-business
Articles about Háblalo
- Háblalo's Free App Reaches 375,000 People Who Cannot Speak or Hear — The Argentina-based social enterprise, backed by Globant, is building a business model by selling accessibility services to corporations like Iberia.