Kaltura Bets $27 Million on AI Avatars to Revolutionize Video Tools
Kaltura Makes Strategic Move Into AI-Powered Video
New York-based video technology company Kaltura announced today its acquisition of Israeli startup eSelf.ai for approximately $27 million. The deal brings sophisticated conversational AI capabilities to Kaltura's suite of enterprise video solutions.
Image source note: The image is AI-generated, and the licensing service provider is Midjourney
Why This Acquisition Matters
eSelf specializes in creating remarkably lifelike digital humans that can hold natural conversations with users. Founded just last year by CEO Alan Bekker (who previously sold his company Voca to Snap) and CTO Eylon Shoshan, the startup has developed breakthrough technologies in:
- Real-time voice-to-video generation
- Ultra-low latency voice recognition
- Screen content understanding
Their 15-person team of AI experts has created avatars that don't just respond - they actively engage while comprehending what's happening on users' screens.
"This isn't about pre-recorded responses," explains industry analyst Maria Chen. "eSelf's tech enables true back-and-forth dialogue where the avatar can reference documents, presentations or whatever else you're working on."
Transforming Enterprise Video Experiences
Kaltura serves over 800 corporate clients including Amazon, Oracle and Salesforce with its cloud-based video platforms for:
- Employee training
- Marketing communications
- Virtual events
- Customer support portals
The integration of eSelf's technology promises to make these video interactions dramatically more engaging. Imagine:
- Sales training where virtual coaches give personalized feedback
- Marketing videos that answer viewer questions in real time
- Support portals where digital agents troubleshoot issues conversationally
"We evaluated numerous companies," said Kaltura CEO Ron Yekutiel, "but eSelf stood out for their leadership in real-time conversation technology."
The Bigger Picture
This marks Kaltura's fourth acquisition since going public in 2021 (following purchases like Tvinci and Rapt Media). With annual revenues approaching $180 million, the company continues expanding its capabilities while maintaining profitability.
The deal reflects broader industry trends toward:
- Interactive Content
- Moving beyond passive viewing experiences
- AI Personalization
- Tailoring content dynamically to individual users
- Conversational Interfaces
- Making technology interactions more natural
"Video is evolving from something you watch to something you participate in," notes Chen. "Kaltura recognizes this shift early."
The first integrated products featuring eSelf's avatar technology are expected to launch within the next six months.
Key Points:
✅ Strategic Acquisition: $27M purchase brings cutting-edge conversational AI to Kaltura's platform
✅ Tech Advantage: eSelf's real-time voice/video sync enables unprecedented interactivity
✅ Market Shift: Signals broader transition toward participatory video experiences
