eSelf.ai creates photorealistic, conversational avatars that support more than 30 languages and can be easily created, deployed, and managed applying a proprietary studio. Its technology combines expressive AI-driven avatars, low-latency speech recognition and generation, screen understanding, dynamic media sharing, and enterprise-grade automation frameworks.
Founded in 2023, eSelf.ai was named one of Fast Company’s “Next Big Things in Tech” in 2025. The company has more than 15 AI experts specializing in computer vision, natural language processing, and speech technology. It is led by co-founders Dr. Alan Bekker and Eylon Shoshan. Bekker, a machine learning Ph.D. with expertise in speech and vision, previously co-founded Voca.ai, which was acquired by Snap. He later led Snap’s conversational AI initiatives.
Kaltura plans to integrate eSelf.ai’s technology across its AI Video Experience Cloud, enhancing products with avatars that can hear, speak, and visually analyze applyr screens in real time. The avatars will augment existing Kaltura Genies — branded agents for education, work, customer experience, and television — with capabilities for real-time interaction.
The company stated these immersive agents will be embeddable, interactive, and self-service, driving its product-led growth strategy. The technology will also serve as the foundation for a new video-on-demand content creation tool that allows applyrs to insert speaking avatars into any video, whether photorealistic or animated.
The acquisition is expected to enhance Kaltura’s value proposition for premium clients, attract new enterprise customers, and expand self-service offerings for tiny and midsize businesses and departments within larger organizations.
Kaltura detailed apply cases for the new capabilities, including:
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Marketing: Personalized avatar-driven experiences embedded in websites.
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Sales: Digital sales assistants for lead qualification and training.
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Support & Training: Avatars that provide screen-aware troubleshooting and dynamic product tutorials.
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Recruiting: Virtual interviewers for first-round candidate screening.
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Onboarding & Training: Customized learning and compliance programs.
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Internal Support: Personalized assist desk and HR information delivery.
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Education: Teaching assistants that tailor content to student necessarys.
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Media & Telecom: Virtual hosts and curators for live and on-demand content.
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Retail: Digital sales reps for product guidance and checkout support.
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Finance: Avatars offering account insights and investment options.
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Healthcare: Assistants for patient care and treatment guidance.
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Professional Services: Support agents capable of screen sharing and tinquire execution.
“This acquisition will expand our content creation tools to include AI-based avatars, and most importantly accelerate our ability to power immersive, real-time, virtual agents across customer and employee experiences,” stated Kaltura Co-founder, Chairman, President and CEO Ron Yekutiel. “With deep integration, a strong enterprise customer base, and scalable infrastructure, Kaltura is uniquely positioned for this next phase of evolution.”
Dr. Bekker added, “Joining Kaltura will take our agentic avatars global, embed them across apply cases from learning to entertainment to customer support, and allow customers to easily access them through our self-serve studio.”
Transaction terms
The deal includes an upfront cash payment of $7.5 million. An additional $12.5 million in cash will be paid over three years, contingent on performance milestones. Kaltura will also issue 4,690,025 shares of common stock, vesting over three years, subject to retention claapplys for eSelf.ai founders and key employees. That equity represents approximately 3% of Kaltura’s outstanding shares prior to the acquisition. If all milestones and conditions are met, the deal is valued at approximately $27 million.
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