Growing up, Pierre Paul thought all the great inventions had already been made — back when Socrates and Plato were still debating big ideas. But as he got older, he noticed something most people overlooked: accessibility tech hadn’t kept pace. “Opening a door should be simple,” Paul says, “but for millions of people, it’s not.” That realization led to We Hear You, a Peoria-based startup building assistive tech that’s both elegant and effective. The company’s two standout products — an ASL translator and Push, a universal remote that opens accessible doors — offer real solutions for people with different abilities.
Paul’s journey took off with support from Distillery Labs and the Illinois Innovation Network, part of the University of Illinois System’s statewide commitment to inclusive innovation. He also became the first iVenture Accelerator participant not directly affiliated with a U of I System campus — proof that the system backs bold ideas, wherever they start.
“Pierre’s tech is solving real challenges — and better than the alternatives,” says Bruce Sommer, director of economic development and innovation at the University of Illinois Springfield. “Distillery Labs, iVenture, and others have his back.” In fiscal year 2023 alone, startups tied to the U of I System generated $838 million in added income for the state. And with founders like Paul pushing forward, that impact is only growing.
