KUDO builds a cloud-based video-conferencing platform offering real-time multilingual interpretation in 100+ languages and 147 sign languages, marketed as Language-as-a-Service (LaaS). Founded in 2017 by engineers and language experts with experience supporting the UN and major global summits, the New York City–based company also operates KUDO Marketplace, launched in January 2021, which gives clients 24/7 access to thousands of pro-certified interpreters. KUDO counts international organizations and Fortune 500 customers including NATO, the U.S. Air Force and Amazon Web Services, and says demand surged over 3500% during the pandemic. The product includes hybrid meeting features such as lobby and waiting rooms, advanced voting and polling, document and screen sharing, and compatibility with most audio/video devices. KUDO positions itself as a business-continuity tool and a way to create a new economy for interpreters by removing dependence on niche agencies. The company plans to use new capital to hire global talent and to expand product engineering, marketing and operations to meet escalating demand. Kudo offers a self-serve SaaS video-conferencing product with built-in support for translators and multiple audio streams, and an optional human translator pool. Customers can bring their own translators (about three-quarters do) or hire translators through Kudo (about one-quarter). The company began work in 2016, launched as a company in 2017, and put its product on the market in September 2018. COVID-19 sharply accelerated demand for its service, which the company said grew by roughly 3,500% during the pandemic. Kudo has achieved several months of cash-flow positivity, though it plans to spend from its new funding and expects to move back to negative cash flow in the near term. The company plans to hire for about 30 open positions over the next few quarters, primarily to build out sales and marketing.

Total raised

$27M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Mar 2021