Kaltura Boosts Video Innovation with $27M Acquisition of eSelf, Founded by Snap’s AI Visionary
Kaltura, a prominent AI video platform based in New York, has made headlines with its recent acquisition of eSelf.ai, an innovative Israeli startup specializing in conversational avatars. This strategic move, valued at approximately $27 million, aims to enhance Kaltura’s offerings by incorporating sophisticated AI-generated digital humans capable of real-time interactions. With a focus on advanced conversational AI, this partnership promises to deliver a more personalized and engaging user experience across various platforms.
A Strategic Acquisition
Kaltura has officially signed a definitive agreement to acquire eSelf.ai, a platform renowned for its user-friendly studio that supports over 30 languages. The technology allows users to create and customize photorealistic digital avatars easily, transforming the way businesses interact with their audiences.
Co-founded by Alan Bekker and Eylon Shoshan, eSelf.ai comes with a wealth of expertise in areas like speech-to-video generation and low-latency speech recognition. This technology equips avatars with the ability to see and respond to what users are viewing on their screens.
Technical Expertise Meets Innovation
The talented team behind eSelf.ai consists of approximately 15 AI specialists. Kaltura’s CEO, Ron Yekutiel, highlighted Bekker’s previous success with natural language processing and computer vision as key assets. He described their expertise as pivotal, stating, “[They are] a very leading company in the area of conversational speech bots,” solidifying the rationale behind Kaltura’s decision to acquire them.
Kaltura’s diverse suite of cloud-based solutions includes tools for corporate video portals, webinars, and virtual events. In serving over 800 enterprise clients such as Amazon, Oracle, and Salesforce, Kaltura has established itself as a leader in the educational and entertainment sectors, committed to enhancing user engagement.
Enhancing Video Capabilities
The integration of eSelf.ai’s virtual agent technology will enable Kaltura to elevate its video services. This exciting development aims to create avatars that not only listen and speak but can also interpret user screens in real time—bringing a new dimension to user interactions.
Yekutiel emphasized the strategic nature of this acquisition, stating, “We were actively evaluating multiple companies to find the right fit. We determined that eSelf was best-in-class for real-time synchronous conversation.” This alignment in both technology and cultural fit makes them an ideal partner.
The Future of Video Interaction
As businesses adapt to evolving consumer needs, the traditional use of video is transforming. Yekutiel notes a significant shift towards hyper-personalized video experiences, explaining that Kaltura is moving beyond mere streaming to deliver human-like capabilities. With the integration of eSelf’s technology, the aim is to create avatars that exhibit real emotions and engage in meaningful dialogues.
Kaltura is set to launch standalone, embeddable agents targeted at various sectors such as education, financial services, and e-commerce. By broadening the use of video as an interface, Kaltura is positioning itself as a leader in creating enriched customer and employee experiences.
A Commitment to Growth
This acquisition marks Kaltura’s fourth strategic purchase, following previous acquisitions in the cloud TV and video conferencing sectors. With a commitment to continuous innovation, Kaltura has paved its way in the industry, already reporting a revenue of around $180 million while remaining profitable.
In closing, Kaltura stands at the forefront of a changing digital landscape with eSelf.ai onboard, ready to redefine how businesses utilize video for meaningful connections.
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