Cisco Boosts Real-Time Translation with EzDubs Acquisition

Cisco Acquires EzDubs, Enhancing Real-Time Translation Capabilities Networking giant Cisco made a significant move over the weekend, acquiring EzDubs, a Y Combinator-backed consumer startup that provides real-time translation services. The acquisition marks a strategic expansion of Cisco's capabilities in the communication and collaboration space. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but EzDubs had previously raised $4.2 million in seed funding led by Venture Highway, a venture capital firm founded by Neeraj Arora, WhatsApp's former chief business officer. Other notable investors in EzDubs include Replit CEO Amjad Masad, Replit President Michele Catasta, Applied Intuition CEO Qasar Younis, and Replicate CEO Ben Firshman, whose company was acquired by Cloudflare just days prior to the announcement. EzDubs' technology is poised to integrate seamlessly into Cisco's communication platform, Cisco Collaboration, which encompasses both hardware and software solutions. This integration will enable users to access features like live translation in products such as Webex video calling and messaging. Cisco's blog post hinted at the potential for further expansion of this capability, suggesting that the company may make the translation feature available across its entire suite of products. The acquisition is a strategic move by Cisco to enhance its offerings in the rapidly evolving communication and collaboration market. With the rise of remote work and global connectivity, the demand for real-time translation services has increased exponentially. EzDubs' technology is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, and Cisco's acquisition will likely accelerate its adoption. EzDubs was founded in 2023 by Padmanabhan Krishnamurthy, Amrutavarsh Kinagi, and Kareem Nassar, who had previously worked at Cisco's Speech AI group before co-founding the startup. Nassar's familiarity with Cisco's technology and operations will likely facilitate a smooth integration of EzDubs' technology into the company's existing infrastructure. The acquisition is a testament to Cisco's commitment to innovation and its willingness to invest in emerging technologies. As the company continues to expand its capabilities in the communication and collaboration space, it is likely to remain a major player in the industry. With EzDubs' technology at its disposal, Cisco is poised to offer even more sophisticated solutions to its customers, further solidifying its position as a leader in the market.