Cliff Weitzman | |
|---|---|
 Weitzman at HBS 2025 | |
| Education | Brown University |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Organization | Speechify |
| Title | Chief executive officer |
| Awards | Forbes 30 Under 30 |
| Website | speechify |
Cliff Weitzman is an American1 entrepreneur and the founder and chief executive officer of Speechify.2 In 2017, Weitzman was named to Forbes magazine's 30 Under 30 list.3 Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate. He could not read as a child.1
Early life and education
Weitzman was diagnosed with dyslexia in the third grade.4 He could not read as a child.5 According to interviews, he taught himself English, listening to audiobooks including Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 22 times in a row. Weitzman graduated from Brown University in 2016 with a degree in Renewable Energy Engineering, a combination of computer science, engineering, and physics.
Career
Weitzman was a Google Student Ambassador.6 He won first place at both MIT's and Stanford University's startup pitch competitions.7
Speechify
Weitzman began developing the AI text-to-speech technology that would become Speechify while at Brown University to complete a summer reading assignment before his first semester at Brown.8
Recognition
In 2016, Weitzman was included on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Education category.9 In 2017, Speechify was included on Inc.'s America's Top 30 Emerging Companies. In 2018, he was included on New York Jewish Week's 36 Under 36.
Personal life
He has four siblings, including a younger brother, Tyler, who is also an entrepreneur.10 Weitzman has said he listens to approximately 100 audiobooks per year.
References
References
- Boitnott, John (2017-08-29). "This Immigrant Founder Taught Himself English--Then Made an App That Helps Others With His Disability (and Speed Readers)". Inc.com. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
- Schontzler, Gail (31 October 2019). "Dyslexia advocates stress abilities, not disability". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2019-11-06. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
- "Cliff Weitzman". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
- "Cliff Weitzman - Dyslexia & Innovation Symposium | Montana State University". www.montana.edu. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
-
- "An App for the Future of Reading". East Side Monthly. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
- Fenton, Josh. "Brown Grad and Forbes 30 Under 30's Weitzman -- On Overcoming Dyslexia". GoLocalProv. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
- Pritikin, Anne. "Graduate creates app to address dyslexia, boost productivity". Redwood Bark. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
- "Cliff Weitzman's '16 Text-to-Speech App Garners National Acclaim | School of Engineering". www.brown.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
- Boitnott, John (2017-08-29). "This Immigrant Founder Taught Himself English--Then Made an App That Helps Others With His Disability (and Speed Readers)". Inc.com. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
- "Cliff Weitzman's '16 Text-to-Speech App Garners National Acclaim | Engineering | Brown University". engineering.brown.edu. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- Ross, Tova (2018-06-06). "Cliff Weitzman, 23". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- "Cliff Weitzman: What I Learned from 100 of the Best CEOs in the World | What I Learned from Staying with Mr Beast for 3 Weeks". www.thetwentyminutevc.com. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- "Cliff Weitzman, 22 - 2017-01-03 - 2017 30 Under 30: Education". Forbes. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- "Brother Tyler Weitzman | AEPi". 2022-10-28. Retrieved 2026-06-11.