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Iceland-based Treble raises $18 million for its voice simulation platform
Voice AI has emerged as one of the hottest sectors in AI, with investors pouring in billions of dollars to serve use cases ranging from automating customer support and sales calls to creating meeting notetakers and developing AI smart glasses that use voice as the primary interaction surface.
Meanwhile, AI labs are quickly releasing models, and hardware makers are trying to create the best experience for consumers to interact with devices.
All of this new technology needs testing and a feedback loop for improvement. An Iceland-based startup, Treble, is positioning itself to be at the center of the voice AI industry by creating a simulation platform that can cater to model makers, robotics companies, and consumer hardware makers.
The company, founded in 2020 by acoustic engineers Finnur Pind and Jesper Pedersen, has raised $18 million in an extension of its Series A funding led by Paladin Capital Group, with participation from existing investors KOMPAS VC, Frumtak Ventures, EIC, and Omega ehf. It received an investment of $12 million in 2024, bringing its total raise to date to over $40 million. The startup counts Amazon and Logitech as customers.
Treble has a few verticals related to simulation and data. For voice AI companies, it has a synthetic data generation platform that could be used for speech enhancement, noise suppression, and model training. It also evaluates voice AI models in different conditions to provide feedback to labs. Earlier this year, it partnered with Hugging Face to launch a benchmark for speech recognition models across different realistic conditions.
“Audio AI is really a data challenge, and this is where the most opportunities to enable next-generation models and hardware lie. To date, pretty much all sound-related AI has been made from recordings and data scraped from the internet. We believe that accurate physics simulation can be an alternative way to create data for sound,” Pind told TechCrunch.
The startup also focuses on hardware design and testing from a voice perspective. For instance, it works with headphone and speaker companies for virtual prototyping to help them understand how their product might sound. It could also test how a smart speaker can understand commands based on the positioning of the speaker. Lately, Treble has ventured into providing simulation testing for smart glasses and AI devices.
Pind said that the company is excited to work on wearables that could enhance hearing for users.
“I’m really excited about the next generation of these devices like headphones and smart glasses that can enable [a feature like] superhuman hearing. That’s an area where you can really just hear better in challenging acoustic environments. Maybe you are in a restaurant, and you only want to hear people within two meters of range, or you are in a seminar, and want to mute people around you,” he said.
Treble aims to increase its focus in the physical AI space, including robotics, automotive, and drone companies, to enable sound-based functions for them through testing and simulation.
Francois Ruether, VP of Paladin Capital Group, told TechCrunch that Treble’s platform, which simulates different models and devices, stands out; the platform’s importance will increase as it gets involved in more areas.
“Our thesis is that, as more products depend on understanding sound, this infrastructure becomes increasingly valuable across voice AI, wearables, robotics, and physical AI. Customers retain ownership of their models, products, and development workflows, while benefiting from a shared foundation of a simulation-native acoustic infrastructure layer,” Ruether said.
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Nigeria is reviewing its Ebola preparedness after Kenya confirmed an imported case of the Bundibugyo virus, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said.
The NCDC said the case highlights the risk of “international importation” of the virus through travel and population movement, “including the possibility of the virus being imported into Nigeria.”
The agency announced this Tuesday night in a statement signed by its Director-General, Jide Idris. It noted that “as of 6 October, there is no confirmed case of Ebola disease in Nigeria.”
The case makes Kenya the fourth country to report a case linked to the current Bundibugyo virus outbreak, following the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda and France.
Kenya confirms first case
PREMIUM TIMES reported on Tuesday that Kenya confirmed its first imported case of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, the patient was a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC, where the virus outbreak is ongoing.
The patient travelled by road from the DRC to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi, where they were isolated after developing symptoms. Samples tested positive for Bundibugyo virus at Kenya’s National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute.
Despite receiving supportive care, the patient died on the night of 5 October and was buried on Tuesday under Kenya’s safe and dignified burial protocol, according to WHO.
Nigeria reviews preparedness
The NCDC said the development in Kenya has added a new regional dimension to the outbreak and underscores the possibility of international importation through travel and population movement.
It noted that since the outbreak was first reported in the DRC, NCDC, working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Port Health Services, State governments, and other stakeholders, including partners, has taken steps to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for Ebola.
“These efforts have focused on early detection, isolation and referral, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, risk communication and protection of healthcare workers,” it said.
The NCDC said Nigeria has conducted a national Ebola preparedness tabletop simulation exercise to assess the country’s readiness to respond to a possible case.
It added that it would continue to monitor developments in Kenya, the DRC and other affected countries and adjust preparedness measures as necessary.
DRC remains worst affected
The current outbreak was first reported in the DRC and has been linked to the Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola virus.
As of 23 September, WHO said the DRC had reported 7,890 confirmed cases, including 3,799 deaths, giving a crude case fatality ratio of 48.1 per cent.
The outbreak has affected 63 health zones across seven provinces, with WHO warning of increased cross-border risks.
Uganda’s latest Ebola outbreak ended in August, while France reported a travel-related case in June.
READ ALSO: Kenya confirms first imported Ebola case linked to DRC outbreak
NCDC advises travellers, health workers
The NCDC advised people travelling from affected areas to monitor their health for 21 days after leaving the affected area.
“If symptoms develop, avoid unnecessary contact with others and immediately contact the appropriate public health authorities or seek care at a recognised health facility, clearly disclosing travel and possible exposure history,” it noted.
The agency also advised Nigerians to practise hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of sick or deceased people.
It urged health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion when treating patients with compatible symptoms and a history of travel to or exposure in an affected area within the previous 21 days.
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“A Proud Moment for Me and My Family” — Chibuzo Nwoko Savours Super Eagles Debut After Dramatic Russia Comeback
Fulham youngster Chibuzo Nwoko has described making his Super Eagles debut as an “amazing experience” after helping Nigeria battle to a thrilling 3-3 draw against Russia on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old was handed a place in Eric Chelle’s starting XI at the Luzhniki Stadium, marking a major milestone for the midfielder who has progressed through Fulham’s academy and previously represented England at youth level.
“It was an amazing experience,” Nwoko said after the game. “It was a proud moment for me and my family. Playing for the Super Eagles is a pleasure for me.”
Nwoko started in midfield as part of a youthful Nigerian side given an opportunity by Chelle following the unavailability of several established internationals.
Nigeria made the perfect start through Kelechi Iheanacho in the 10th minute, but Russia responded through Lechi Sadulaev and Matvey Kislyak to lead 2-1 at half-time. Aleksey Miranchuk then extended the hosts’ advantage after the restart, leaving the Super Eagles staring at defeat.
Chelle’s side refused to surrender.
Substitute Peter Edokpolor pulled one back in the 78th minute before Akor Adams struck dramatically in the fourth minute of stoppage time to complete Nigeria’s comeback from 3-1 down.
Nwoko played 84 minutes before making way for Vince Osuji, gaining valuable senior international experience in a match that tested the character of Chelle’s new-look side.
The midfielder’s journey makes the occasion particularly significant. Born in England, Nwoko spent part of his youth development at Chelsea before joining Fulham’s system. He represented England at U18 level and spent the second half of last season on loan at Forest Green Rovers, making 19 league appearances and gaining regular senior football.
He has since returned to Fulham and made his first-team competitive debut as a substitute in the League Cup this season.
Now, another important first has arrived in Nigerian colours.
For Nwoko, Moscow was more than a friendly appearance. It was the night a player developed in English football officially began his senior international journey with Nigeria.
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