Helli – Give voice to those who cannot speak
AI-based communication software that helps non-verbal children and adults express themselves – easily, quickly, and affordably.
Helli is an intuitive communication board that works on smart devices, providing a voice for non-verbal people. Created for families, specialists, and educational institutions, Helli is affordable, personally adaptable, and ready to use right after login.
How Elly inspired Helli
Helli was born out of personal necessity. When co-founder's 2-year-old daughter Elly was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and non-verbalism, they faced a painfully simple question: how can a child communicate if they don't speak? Expensive and complex aids were not accessible to the family – so they decided to create something themselves.
They started with a simple solution where Elly could choose between four pictures – eat, drink, sleep, or go to the potty. This changed everyday life. They saw how even a small opportunity to express herself gave Elly more independence and joy. Development continued, and today the Helli application contains over 800 words and personal customization. Elly uses it daily, and specialists have noticed significant progress in her development.
Helli is more than technology – it's an opportunity to hear those who haven't been heard before.
Our core team:
Rando Kraav
Chief Technology Officer & Co-Founder
Rando is the lead behind Helli's technological development. He is responsible for the software architecture, system reliability, and innovation. Rando drives the technical vision and ensures that Helli remains a secure, simple, and continuously evolving tool for its users.
rando@helly.ee
Sirli Kapper
Chief Strategy Officer & Co-Founder
Sirli leads Helli's strategy, team coordination, and development processes. Her role bridges education and healthcare expertise with real-world community needs, turning them into meaningful innovation, strong partnerships, and long-term growth.
sirli@helly.ee
Maia Kärdla
Chief Community Officer
Maia is the voice of the Helli community and user experience. She builds bridges between families, therapists, and educational institutions—ensuring user-driven growth, visibility, and a deeply supportive experience for everyone involved. Her work helps Helli grow not only as a product, but also as a movement.
maia@helly.eeHelli is a truly inclusive and accessible communication solution that grows with its users.
Supported by Innovation
Helli is proudly part of the Tehnopol Startup Incubator, Estonia's leading technology park and innovation hub. This partnership provides us with world-class mentorship, resources, and access to a vibrant ecosystem of technology companies and experts.
Mäealuse 2/4 A-korpus, 2. korrus Tallinn 12618
What is AAC and how does Helli help?
Communication is not a luxury – it is a fundamental human right. We all want to be understood. But what happens when a child doesn't speak or their speech is not understandable? In this case, Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) helps – a way to support or replace speech so that a person can still express their thoughts, needs, feelings and ideas.
Helli – a modern and flexible communication tool
Helli (helli.ee) is a web-based communication platform developed in Estonia, created specifically for children and young people who have difficulty communicating verbally. Helli helps children with speech difficulties use pictures and symbols to communicate – at home, in kindergarten, at school and in therapy.
Helli stands out from other solutions with its user-friendliness, continuous development and collaboration opportunities between families and support networks.
Why is Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) important?
- The ability to communicate is every person's dignity. If a child cannot express their wishes, it can cause stress, frustration and serious behavioral difficulties.
- AAC helps create a safe and understandable world where the child understands what is happening to them and what to expect next.
- Early adoption of AAC supports cognitive development, linguistic thinking and communication readiness – even if speech doesn't develop, thinking and communication skills develop.
- Research shows that AAC does not inhibit speech development, but rather supports it. The child does not stop learning to speak – they get even more opportunities to communicate and thus more practice in the language environment.
How does learning work with Helli?
1. Helli as an environment and tool
Helli is not just a picture bank – it is a learning and communication environment that is adaptable according to the child's developmental level and family system. With Helli, you don't have to wait for 'readiness' – you can start with just one symbol!
2. Modeling – teaching communication through example
At the center of Helli teaching is modeling – this means that the adult uses pictures or symbols to communicate, so that the child sees how they are used.
Example: When a child plays with a ball, the adult says 'ball' and at the same time presses the 'ball' picture on the Helli communication page. This creates a connection: word – picture – action.
3. Children learn best in motivating situations
Helli allows you to create communication pages activity-based – for example, separate pages for eating, playing, hiking or therapy. Learning takes place in a natural situation, not at a classroom desk. Motivation and meaning are prerequisites for learning – if the child wants something and has the opportunity to express it, then they learn.
4. Continuity and involvement
The best results are achieved when all people in contact with the child use the same communication method. Helli allows you to share an account with a teacher, speech therapist or grandmother – so that the child's development is smooth and consistent.
5. Individual pace and structure
Every child is different – some children master one symbol in a few days, others may take a month or more. The Helli platform does not force the child to keep up with the pace, but grows with them. It is possible to use: individual pictures, sentence templates, daily schedules, communication pages of different complexity levels.
Helli supports independence and self-expression
Helli's goal is not only to enable communication, but to foster independence. When a child can say what they want, what they don't want, when they are tired or ready to play, then they no longer depend constantly on adult assumptions. This creates confidence and reduces stress for both parties.
How to get started?
- 1Get familiar with the platform at helli.ee
- 2Register and create a free test user
- 3Start with even one picture
- 4Feel free to ask for advice – our team will help!
We believe everyone has the right to be heard
Alternative communication is not a 'last resort' – it is a life-changing way of communication that opens the door to the world. Helli is created so that every child can speak in their own language, at their own pace and in their own way.
"When words don't come, you have to find another way – and that way can be through pictures."
Come and join the Helli community – helli.ee
Because communication doesn't start with speech. It starts with understanding.
Learn MoreSmart and simple communication in any situation
Helli is an AI-based communication tool created primarily for non-verbal children and adults. It works on smartphones and tablets, includes visual symbols, grammar assistance, and speech synthesis with Estonian language support and natural voice.
Parents and specialists can add their own pictures and voices to create a completely personalized communication environment.
Key advantages:
- Immediate readiness for use
- Affordable (€49.90/month)
- Local (Estonian language and culturally appropriate)
- Adaptive AI – learns from user needs
A solution that supports at home, school, and therapy room
Helli is created in collaboration with families, teachers, and therapists. The software is suitable for use in:
Clients value Helli for its ease of use, flexibility, and quick access without expensive devices. The result is greater independence, self-expression, and higher quality communication.
Simple to start – powerful to use
Helli is intuitive, no separate training is needed. Every user can start communicating instantly.
Create an account and log in
Customize – choose symbols, voices, and categories
Start communicating
Use on any smart device, immediately
Our experience – your inspiration
Thanks to Helli, our son can ask for water, call his cat, or say: I want a kiss. It's a small thing that makes life bigger.
Kairi, parent
Helli is a great helper at school. Students learn to communicate independently and their self-confidence rises.
Kadri, special education teacher
Get in touch
helly@helly.ee
Phone
+372 503 1164
Location
Mäealuse 2/4 A-korpus, 2. korrus Tallinn 12618
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Try 30-day trial now!
Start your free 30-day trial today and experience how Helli can help you communicate more effectively.
Try 30-day trial now!