Hunger for Words
Hunger for Words is a founder-led direct-to-consumer company that pioneered AAC-based recordable button communication products and training methodology for dogs, serving dog owners and speech-language pathology professionals through hardware, books, and coaching services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersAurora, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hunger for Words does
Hunger for Words is a founder-led, privately held direct-to-consumer company founded in 2018 by Christina Hunger, a licensed speech-language pathologist (MA CCC-SLP), that pioneered the application of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) methodology to dogs. The company's core product is a line of recordable button communication devices—sold as 4-, 6-, 12-, and 24-button starter and expansion packs—accompanied by button mats, doorbells, and proprietary teaching methodologies (Aided Language Input, Focused Language Stimulation, and Increased Wait Time) that instruct owners how to model word usage for their dogs. The flagship demonstration is Stella, a Blue Heeler/Catahoula mix reported to use 50+ words and combine up to 5-word phrases, an outcome featured in CNN, CBS, PBS, and the Wall Street Journal, and later in Nature Scientific Reports in 2024.
The business model is multi-stream but tightly founder-bound. Revenue is generated through hardware sales (talking button packs, mats, doorbells, and bundles priced $11.99–$179.99), book sales (the NYT bestselling memoir 'How Stella Learned to Talk' and the 2025 instructional guide 'Your Dog Can Talk'), private 1:1 coaching sessions with Christina Hunger ($199.99 single / $399.99 three-pack), and tiered digital licensing of the AAC Guidebook for speech-language pathologists (Individual/Team/Organization). Distribution is primarily DTC through hungerforwords.com, supplemented by Amazon marketplace for hardware and major book retailers (Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, Bookshop.org) for books. Speaking engagements are capped at 40 per year as an explicit scarcity discipline.
The customer base is a long-tail of individual dog owners, with a secondary clinical segment of speech-language pathologists consuming the AAC Guidebook. There is no disclosed external funding, no M&A activity, and operating geography is centered on the United States (warehouse/returns in Aurora, IL). Two named team members beyond the founder (Grace Stevens and Callie Cozzolino) function as contributors, consistent with a bootstrapped, founder-anchored operating model.
Hunger for Words firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hunger for Words
- Legal name
- Hunger for Words
- Website
- https://hungerforwords.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Hunger for Words is a founder-led direct-to-consumer company that pioneered AAC-based recordable button communication products and training methodology for dogs, serving dog owners and speech-language pathology professionals through hardware, books, and coaching services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hunger for Words industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pet Communication Devices
- NAICS
- Electronics and Appliance Retailers (4492), Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Retail-Computer & Computer Software Stores (5734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) & Speech/Language Therapy Tech (EDAFAKAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training (EDAKAIAB)
Keywords
Where Hunger for Words is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aurora
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hunger for Words business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Product Sales - Communication Buttons and Accessories: Sale of physical products including recordable button packs (starter sets, essential words, next words expansion packs), button mats, doorbells, and button bundles at various price points ranging from $11.99 to $179.99. One-time purchase model.
- Book Sales: Sale of Christina Hunger's books including 'How Stella Learned to Talk' (NYT bestseller, $49.99 signed) and 'Your Dog Can Talk' ($19.99) through direct website sales and major retail channels including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books a Million.
- Private Training Sessions: Personalized one-on-one coaching sessions with Christina Hunger via video call. Single sessions at $199.99 (1-hour) or 3-pack bundles at $399.99. Includes personalized training plans and email support for one month following sessions.
- Digital Guidebook Licensing: AAC Guidebook sold as digital download with tiered licensing options: Individual License ($20), Team License (up to 5 users), and Organization License (up to 25 users) for speech-language pathologists and organizations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Talking Pet Starter Set - 4 recordable buttons with guide |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Talking Pet Essential Words - 6 pre-recorded buttons with instructions |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Talking Pet Button Mat |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Talking Pet Doorbell |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Talking Pet Next Words - Locations (3 buttons) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Talking Pet Next Words - Names (3 buttons) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 6 Button Pack bundle |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 12 Button Pack bundle with mats |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 24 Button Pack with mats |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | All-in-One Beginner Pack (4 buttons, mat, book) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Private Training Session - 1 Pack with Christina |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Private Training Sessions - 3 Pack with Christina |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Training from Christina Bundle (Starter Set, Mat, Session) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Your Dog Can Talk book |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | How Stella Learned to Talk book (signed) |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | AAC Guidebook - Individual License |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Hunger for Words product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hunger for Words sells physical recordable button communication devices, button mats, and doorbells that allow dogs to "talk" by pressing pre-programmed word buttons, based on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) methodology. The company also offers two books by founder Christina Hunger, a digital AAC Guidebook for professionals, and one-on-one private training sessions conducted via video call. The product range spans starter sets (4 buttons) up to 24-button expansion packs.
Product overview
Hunger for Words is a pet communication company that pioneered interspecies AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) through recordable button devices. The product portfolio centers on physical communication devices (Talking Pet button packs in various sizes: 6, 12, and 24 button options), accessories (button mats, doorbells), educational books ('How Stella Learned to Talk' and 'Your Dog Can Talk'), digital resources (AAC Guidebook), and training services (private coaching sessions with Christina Hunger). The offerings range from entry-level starter sets for beginners to comprehensive bundles with personalized training, all grounded in speech-language pathology principles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Talking Pet Starter Set
Quantifiable outcome
- Dogs can learn 50+ words and combine up to 5 words in phrases
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Hunger for Words
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Hunger for Words technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Hunger for Words partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hunger for Words competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- CleverPet: CleverPet makes interactive smart puzzles and feeder devices for dogs that emphasize cognitive enrichment, intersecting with Hunger for Words' value proposition of mental stimulation and engagement. Both target dog owners seeking tech-enabled enrichment products, though CleverPet focuses on food puzzles rather than communication.
- Furbo (Tomofun): Furbo is an interactive pet camera and treat dispenser with two-way audio, allowing owners to monitor and communicate with dogs remotely. It is comparable as a premium DTC pet tech hardware brand that pioneered a category and built an emotional connection with pet owners via app-based engagement.
Broad incumbents
- AssistiveWare: AssistiveWare develops AAC apps such as Proloquo and Keeble for iOS, serving speech-language pathologists and individuals with communication disabilities. It is a strong comparable for Hunger for Words' digital guidebook offering targeting the professional SLP market, and represents how AAC content can be delivered as licensed software.
- PetSafe (Radio Systems Corporation): PetSafe is a major pet products brand offering training, containment, and behavior products, including pet doors and training tools. It represents a broad incumbent that could expand into AAC-style communication devices given its retail footprint and brand recognition, making it a strategic comparable for Hunger for Words' consumer hardware ambitions.
- Tobii Dynavox: Tobii Dynavox is a global leader in assistive communication technology for individuals with speech and language impairments, including AAC devices and software. Comparable to Hunger for Words' underlying AAC technology platform and the professional target audience (SLPs, clinics) for the AAC Guidebook.
- Whisker (Litter-Robot): Whisker is a leading pet tech company best known for the Litter-Robot, demonstrating the DTC direct-to-consumer playbook for premium pet tech hardware. It is comparable as a successful bootstrapped/founder-led pet tech company that scaled through D2C e-commerce and category creation.
- PRC-Saltillo: PRC-Saltillo is a leading manufacturer of AAC devices and language systems for humans with communication disabilities. It is the established incumbent in the human AAC category that Hunger for Words' methodology draws from, and represents both the parent category and a potential B2B licensing partner for the AAC Guidebook.
Direct peers
- FluentPet: FluentPet is the most direct competitor, also selling sound-button communication systems for dogs (the 'Hey Betty' soundboard). Founded by animal cognition researcher Leo Trottier, it competes head-to-head with Hunger for Words on the same use case and customer base, though with a more research/tech positioning versus Hunger for Words' SLP-led methodology.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hunger for Words social profiles
Digital presenceHunger for Words financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hunger for Words leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Hunger for Words funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hunger for Words M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hunger for Words
What does Hunger for Words do?
Hunger for Words sells physical recordable button communication devices, button mats, and doorbells that allow dogs to "talk" by pressing pre-programmed word buttons, based on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) methodology. The company also offers two books by founder Christina Hunger, a digital AAC Guidebook for professionals, and one-on-one private training sessions conducted via video call. The product range spans starter sets (4 buttons) up to 24-button expansion packs.
Is Hunger for Words a public or private company?
Hunger for Words is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Hunger for Words founded?
Hunger for Words was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Hunger for Words based?
Hunger for Words is headquartered in Aurora, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hunger for Words make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Product Sales - Communication Buttons and Accessories are the primary driver. The others are book Sales, private Training Sessions and digital Guidebook Licensing.
Who are Hunger for Words's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are CleverPet and Furbo (Tomofun). Broad incumbents are AssistiveWare, PetSafe (Radio Systems Corporation), Tobii Dynavox, Whisker (Litter-Robot) and PRC-Saltillo. FluentPet is listed as a direct peer.
Does Hunger for Words have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hunger for Words.
What industry is Hunger for Words in?
Hunger for Words's product category is Pet Communication Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAKAB, AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) & Speech/Language Therapy Tech, with a secondary code of EDAKAIAB, AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training. Its NAICS code is 4492 and its SIC code is 5734.