Serenade Secures $2.1M Seed Round to Pioneer Voice-to-Code AI Technology
From Personal Struggle to Innovative Solution
Serenade, the AI-powered voice-to-code startup, has announced a $2.1 million seed investment led by Amplify Partners and Neo. The company’s origin story is as compelling as its technology—co-founder Matt Wiethoff, a former Quora developer, was diagnosed with a severe repetitive stress injury that prevented him from typing. This challenge sparked the creation of Serenade alongside co-founder Tommy MacWilliam.
How Serenade’s AI-Powered Platform Works
- Seamless Integration: Serenade Pro, the company’s first commercial product, is a downloadable app that integrates with popular code editors like Visual Studio Code and IntelliJ
- Voice-to-Code Conversion: Users speak their code naturally, and Serenade’s AI engine translates it into syntactically correct code
- Specialized Technology: Unlike generic speech-to-text engines, Serenade is specifically optimized for programming syntax and requirements
The Future of Programming: Beyond Keyboard Limitations
MacWilliam envisions a paradigm shift in how developers work: “With machine learning, coding becomes faster and easier than ever before. Our AI eliminates rote mechanical tasks—no more memorizing keyboard shortcuts or syntax details. Developers can focus on expressing ideas naturally while our technology handles the translation into functional code.”
Growth and Diversity Initiatives
Current Team and Expansion Plans
- 5 employees currently
- Plans to grow to 15-20 employees within the next year
- Growth fueled by commercial product launch and new funding
Commitment to Diversity
Serenade has implemented a comprehensive diversity strategy:
- Expanded Candidate Sourcing: Looking beyond personal networks to identify top talent
- Inclusive Hiring Practices: Rethinking interview processes to assess skills objectively
- Community Building: Creating pathways for underrepresented groups in tech
Next Steps for Serenade
The seed funding will accelerate:
- Product development and feature enhancements
- Community building among early adopters
- Educational initiatives to demonstrate voice-coding efficiency
Serenade represents more than just an accessibility tool—it’s reimagining the fundamental interface between developers and their work. As voice interfaces continue maturing across tech, Serenade’s specialized approach positions it at the forefront of this emerging programming paradigm.
