Toronto-based startup Fable, known for its focus on accessibility technology, has successfully raised $25 million in a Series B funding round led by Five Elms Capital.
This fresh injection of capital will help Fable scale its operations and expand its mission of making digital products, including artificial intelligence (AI), more inclusive for people with disabilities.
Fable has been at the forefront of addressing the often-overlooked issue of digital accessibility. The startup’s platform allows companies to test the usability of their products by recruiting people with disabilities as testers, ensuring products are accessible to all.
With this Series B funding, Fable plans to extend its platform’s reach to include individuals with hearing and cognitive disabilities, in addition to those with mobility and vision impairments.
The funding will also support Fable’s efforts in addressing accessibility gaps in AI training datasets. Many AI systems are developed without fully considering the needs of disabled users, leading to biases in products like facial recognition or generative AI tools. Fable aims to change this by working with AI developers to create more inclusive datasets and provide specialized training for their teams. This step is critical as AI continues to shape the future of technology.
Kate Kalcevich, Fable’s head of accessibility innovation, emphasized the importance of bringing those most affected by accessibility challenges into the conversation. “We bring the voices of those impacted into the decision-making process,” she said, highlighting the company’s mission to prioritize inclusivity in product development.
Founded in 2018, Fable has rapidly gained recognition for its accessibility-focused solutions, partnering with tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, and NBC Universal. Its flagship platform, Engage, helps businesses recruit accessibility testers, manage technical support, and ensure compensation for their work.
The $25 million in new funding will not only support Fable’s expansion but also bolster its ongoing projects in AI accessibility and inclusivity. As the company continues to grow, it is setting a new standard for making digital experiences accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.
This Series B follows Fable’s $10.5 million USD Series A in 2022, which laid the groundwork for its Fable Upskill platform, an online resource for educating teams on building inclusive digital products.
Fable’s growth trajectory continues to position it as a leader in the accessibility tech space, making a significant impact on how technology is developed and used by individuals with disabilities.
