Kaltura acquires eSelf, founded by creator of Snap's AI, in $27M deal

Core Insights - Kaltura is acquiring eSelf.ai, an Israeli startup specializing in conversational avatars, for approximately $27 million [1] - The acquisition aims to enhance Kaltura's video platform by integrating eSelf's technology, which supports real-time, interactive user engagement [6][7] Company Overview - Kaltura is a New York-based AI video platform that provides a suite of cloud-based software solutions for advanced video applications, including corporate video portals and virtual classroom products [4][5] - The company serves over 800 enterprise customers, including major tech firms and financial institutions, and has around $180 million in revenue [5][16] eSelf.ai Details - eSelf.ai, co-founded in 2023, focuses on speech-to-video generation and low-latency speech recognition, allowing avatars to interact with users effectively [2][3] - The startup has a team of about 15 AI experts and will integrate its technology into Kaltura, with its co-founders joining Kaltura for this purpose [2][3] Strategic Importance - The acquisition is seen as strategic for Kaltura, enhancing its capabilities in real-time conversational technology and aligning with its goal of evolving into a video-based customer and employee experience provider [7][13] - Kaltura plans to launch standalone, embeddable agents for various sectors, including education, media, e-commerce, and healthcare [14] Financial Context - Kaltura has previously made three acquisitions and is exploring further opportunities for growth, including potential mergers and acquisitions [15][16] - The company went public in 2021 and is profitable on an adjusted EBITDA and cash flow basis [16]