Kaltura Acquires eSelf.ai for $27M, Boosting AI-Generated Video Capabilities

Kaltura Acquires eSelf in $27 Million Deal, Enhancing AI Video Capabilities Kaltura, a New York-headquartered AI video platform company, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire eSelf.ai, an Israel-based startup behind conversational avatars AI-generated digital humans. The acquisition price is estimated at $27 million. This strategic move is expected to bolster Kaltura's capabilities in AI video, enabling the company to offer more sophisticated and interactive video experiences to its customers. The acquisition brings in eSelf's expertise in speech-to-video generation, low-latency speech recognition, and screen understanding, which allows avatars to see and respond to what's on a user's screen. eSelf's platform supports more than 30 languages and features a user-friendly studio for creating, customizing, and deploying photorealistic digital avatars. The startup's technology has the potential to revolutionize the way businesses interact with their customers, providing a more personalized and engaging experience. Founded in 2023 by CEO Alan Bekker and CTO Eylon Shoshan, eSelf has a small but strong team of around 15 AI experts. Bekker previously sold his first startup, Voca, to Snap in 2020, which specialized in natural language processing, a key technology in understanding human speech. The eSelf co-founders will join Kaltura to oversee the integration of eSelf's technology into the company, with all current eSelf employees coming on board as well. The acquisition is a significant move for Kaltura, which has been expanding its AI capabilities in recent years. The company's AI video platform enables businesses to create and deliver personalized video experiences, and the addition of eSelf's technology is expected to enhance its offerings. With eSelf's expertise in speech-to-video generation and screen understanding, Kaltura can now offer more advanced interactive video experiences, such as conversational avatars and virtual assistants. The acquisition is also a testament to the growing demand for AI-powered video solutions in the market. As businesses look to enhance their customer engagement and experience, AI video has become an increasingly important tool. Kaltura's acquisition of eSelf is likely to be followed by other companies in the industry, as they seek to capitalize on the growing demand for AI video solutions. In terms of market impact, the acquisition is expected to have a significant impact on the AI video market. With eSelf's technology integrated into Kaltura's platform, the company will be well-positioned to take advantage of the growing demand for AI-powered video solutions. The acquisition is also likely to lead to increased competition in the market, as other companies seek to offer similar AI video capabilities. Looking ahead, the acquisition of eSelf is expected to have a positive impact on Kaltura's business. The company's AI video platform is already used by a number of major brands, and the addition of eSelf's technology is expected to enhance its offerings and increase its competitiveness in the market. With eSelf's expertise in speech-to-video generation and screen understanding, Kaltura is well-positioned to take advantage of the growing demand for AI-powered video solutions.