Mana Jampala, a 12-year-old developer from British Columbia, has created an AI voice assistant named Voxa to help small businesses handle calls 24/7. The tool automates appointments and order processing to reduce missed business opportunities. While the system has already handled hundreds of test calls, the startup is currently focused on securing its first paying customer.
A 12-year-old student, Mana Jampala, has developed a new artificial intelligence platform called Voxa, designed to assist small businesses with customer communication. The AI tool acts as a 24/7 virtual assistant that manages incoming calls, schedules appointments, and takes orders, helping owners avoid the loss of potential revenue that occurs when phones go unanswered.
Core Functionality and Business Model
The system, launched in November 2025, also features a tool known as Voxa Agents. This component allows business owners to customize their own AI representatives using plain language instructions rather than technical coding. By moving away from third-party infrastructure to a self-developed system, Jampala aims to provide a reliable service for small teams who may lack the resources for dedicated call centers.
While the platform has successfully processed hundreds of calls in its testing phase, it is currently in the early stages of its commercial journey and is working toward acquiring its first paying client. The business is currently being bootstrapped, meaning it is operating without outside funding, with plans to eventually join an accelerator program and seek venture capital support in the future.
Entrepreneurial Journey and Technical Foundation
Jampala’s interest in technology started at age nine, leading her to master the Python programming language. Her background includes participating in coding camps and receiving recognition at university-level science competitions. She also secured a grant from the 1517 Medici Project, an organization that provides financial support to young entrepreneurs and founders who have bypassed traditional educational paths.
Operating a business at a young age involves unique hurdles. Jampala has observed that in-person professional interactions often focus on her age and the level of parental oversight, whereas digital environments tend to prioritize the product's performance. To overcome this, she has shifted her networking approach to rely on warm introductions and referrals. Like many young founders, she also utilizes digital communities on platforms such as Discord to share experiences with other teenagers building their own technology ventures.
Monitorables for Future Growth
For those following the progress of such startups, the primary challenge remains the transition from a functional product to a sustainable revenue stream. Key milestones to track include the acquisition of the first paying customer, the stability of the system as it scales beyond test volumes, and the effectiveness of the team's strategy to compete with existing, well-funded customer service AI tools. The ability to maintain operational costs while scaling the user base will be essential as the venture matures.