Hour One builds AI-driven synthetic characters—virtual twins created from video captures—that can speak scripted text in multiple languages and be embedded into software or invoked via API. Its core product is the Reals platform, a self-service tool that generates human-led video automatically from text in minutes. The company says use cases include virtual receptionists, salespeople, HR representatives and language teachers, and it already supplies content to customers such as Berlitz and partners including NBCUniversal, DreamWorks and Cameo. Hour One emphasizes scalability and localization, enabling avatars to deliver content at scale without new filming. The firm also publishes an ethical policy code to govern acceptable uses of its technology. Financially, Hour One previously raised a $5 million seed in 2020 and has just closed a $20 million Series A led by Insight Partners. Hour One provides a platform that generates highly realistic, photoreal virtual presenters capable of delivering preset text in multiple languages with natural facial expressions, gestures and tightly synced speech. The company’s technology lets customers produce course content without filming human instructors, enabling rapid scale and reduced production overhead. Hour One has signed a deal with Berlitz to augment instructor-led services and expand online language training, allowing Berlitz to extend reach into new markets and improve accessibility. Berlitz framed the technology as a way to replicate classroom experience and remove barriers of location and affordability. Hour One’s CEO said Berlitz has fully embraced the technology to scale its business. The company has raised $5 million from investors mentioned below.

Total raised

$25M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Apr 2022