BOULDER: Auddia Inc. (NASDAQ: AUUD), a developer of AI-driven audio technologies, announced Tuesday that Jeff Thramann has succeeded Michael Lawless as chief executive officer, mar,king a leadership transition as the company explores a potential restructuring into an AI-native holding company.
Lawless, who led Auddia and its predecessor Clip Interactive for 13 years, is retiring. Thramann, who also serves as chairman, will oversee the company’s strategic review and potential transformation.
As part of the shift, Auddia appointed three new independent board members — Nick Balletta, Emmanuel de Boucaud, and Josh Sroge — bringing expertise in AI infrastructure and entrepreneurial ventures. They replace outgoing board members Steve Deitsch, Tim Hanlon, and Tom Birch.
The reconstituted board has formed a special committee of independent directors to evaluate a proposed business combination that would restructure Auddia as a wholly owned subsidiary of a new AI-focused holding company. If approved, Thramann would lead the holding company, and a new CEO would be appointed to run Auddia.
The holding company’s mission would center on delivering advanced AI capabilities to its portfolio companies through a proprietary AI data center and centralized leadership and development teams. The initiative aims to reduce the cost of training and deploying AI models while fostering innovation through shared resources and cross-company collaboration.
“The centralized AI team is expected to provide portfolio companies with access to top-tier talent and accelerate the development of cutting-edge machine learning solutions,” the company said in a statement.
The leadership changes and proposed restructuring follow a nine-month strategic review led by Thramann, the board, and external advisors. The process also resulted in an updated roadmap for Auddia’s flagship product, faidr.
“I would like to thank Michael Lawless for his commitment to the Clip Interactive and Auddia mission over the past 13 years and for his support in helping us position for this potential restructuring,” Thramann said. “We all wish Michael well in his retirement.”
Auddia emphasized that there is no guarantee the special committee will recommend moving forward with the restructuring or any other strategic transaction, nor that any such transaction will be completed.