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2 months ago | 
slator.com | Seyma Albarino
For multilingual voice AI startup ElevenLabs, the new year is apparently off to a good start. According to a January 24, 2025 piece by TechCrunch and now confirmed by the company, ElevenLabs recently closed a Series C of USD 180m at a valuation between USD 3-3.3bn. AI dubbing is a key feature of the ElevenLabs platform. According to TechCrunch, the round was led by ICONIQ Growth, with possible participation from Andreessen Horowitz.
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2 months ago | 
slator.com | Seyma Albarino
Communication services company Sorenson Communications has announced the acquisition of two companies that specialize in sign language interpreting technology. Hand Talk is a startup that uses AI and digital avatars to provide automated sign language translation, a feature that is particularly useful for translating content on websites or other platforms where dynamic, interactive communication isn’t required but accessibility is still essential.
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Jan 24, 2025 | 
slator.com | Seyma Albarino
Düsseldorf, Germany-headquartered DEMAN Übersetzungen has announced the acquisition of German Language Services (GLS), based in Cologne. Financial details of the deal, which closed October 31, 2024, were not disclosed. DEMAN CEO Cédric Sigoire told Slator that the two language service providers (LSPs) had been in touch for a few years, but were reintroduced to each other by Dee Johnson of Language Transactions.
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Jan 17, 2025 | 
slator.com | Seyma Albarino
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Jan 14, 2025 | 
slator.com | Seyma Albarino
Pocketalk, the Japanese company behind the eponymous “two-way voice translator,” has raised JPY 2.5bn (USD 15.8m) in funding from Kado Investment, a Tokyo-based investment firm. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The raise comes as a surprise. It was only in March 2024 that Pocketalk was reportedly considering an IPO at a USD 500m valuation. Instead of that IPO, Pocketalk keeps raising from investment firms.
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Jan 9, 2025 | 
slator.com | Seyma Albarino
The United States government has issued an unusual RFP for translation services: The target languages are all indigenous to the US. The contracting agency, the Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED), is part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which manages programs related to federally recognized American Indian Tribes. OIED has partnered with the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for this contract.
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Jan 7, 2025 | 
slator.com | Seyma Albarino
On December 5, 2024, the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services issued a letter clarifying language access requirements as they apply to healthcare providers serving individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). The “Dear Colleague” letter, signed by OCR Director Melanie Fontes Rainer, was originally sent to healthcare providers and other recipients.
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Jan 6, 2025 | 
slator.com | Maria Stasimioti |Alex Edwards |Seyma Albarino |Rocío Txabarriaga
Skip to content Researchers unveil EmoDubber, an AI dubbing system offering precision in lip-sync, and dynamic control over emotion type and density. The company releases the much anticipated AI dubbing feature in eight languages, as it sets expectations for quality output. YouTube hints at future updates to improve output. As SAG-AFTRA continues to strike, affecting more than 130 gaming companies, the updated agreement would apply to individual projects produced in a non-English language.
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Jan 3, 2025 | 
slator.com | Seyma Albarino
In a fast-moving year full of ups and downs for the language industry, there is rarely time to cover all notable news in depth. Slator Sweep bridges the gap, bringing the headlines directly to Slator subscribers each day. The top 10 most popular stories from Sweep in 2024 reflect and touch on tough times and bright spots, with plenty to look forward to in 2025. Get Sweep by subscribing to one of our annual plans. Is an interstate move ever just for a change in scenery?
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Dec 19, 2024 | 
slator.com | Seyma Albarino
Belgian language services provider (LSP) Stoquart has acquired Brussels-based ETC Europe, an accredited translation agency of the European Union and other government and international organizations. The deal, which closed on October 24, 2024, follows Stoquart’s 2023 acquisition of French rival Version Internationale. Stoquart CEO Dimitri Stoquart told Slator that he came to know ETC Europe General Manager Angelina Janssen during meetings of the Belgian Association of Translation Companies (BQTA).
