This 12-year-old founder created an AI-powered receptionist to help small businesses build clientele

Mana Jampala is a 12-year-old tech founder from British Columbia, Canada.

Mana Jampala

For proof that AI is enabling a new generation of founders, look no further than Mana Jampala.Jampala, who is in British Columbia, is the 12-year-old founder behind the AI-powered receptionist Voxa. She launched the product in November 2025 to help small businesses field calls and avoid missing potential customers.Jampala told Business Insider she got the idea after spending time at her father's workplace."When I was 11 years old, I would go to my dad's workplace, and I'd notice they'd miss a lot of calls," Jampala said. "They're a very small team, so they'd be super busy. They'd either ignore them or not notice them at all."While a few missed phone calls may seem inconsequential, eventually, the lost revenue adds up.

The homepage for Voxa.

Voxa