Voice ID startup Helix secures six million dollars in funding with backing from Siri co-founder

A new tech startup called Helix has raised six million dollars in funding to develop voice identification technology that checks if users are human. The funding round was led by Chicago Ventures, with support from several other investment groups. The company was started in 2025 by Alex Oberg, Anna Dorofiyenko, and Mike Hall. Dag Kittlaus, who helped create Siri, has backed the startup and will work as an advisor.

Technology Use

The software runs directly on a user's device, including an older phone model like the iPhone 13, which keeps running costs low. It uses a short four-second voice test to confirm a user is human and guess their age, offering a way to avoid CAPTCHA tests and follow new rules for children's online safety without taking away personal privacy. The startup is also testing if voice can show health signs like being drunk or upset. A home healthcare provider named Zeel is already using the tool to check the identity of workers visiting homes.

Limits and Future

The company states that its software cannot tell if someone is lying or spot artificial intelligence agents on live calls, and stored voice data cannot be used to recreate a person's voice.

Context

New online rules around the world are forcing tech platforms to check user ages more strictly, which often requires people to share sensitive personal documents online. Voice biometric tools aim to solve this security problem by checking identity instantly through audio signals rather than asking for private personal details.