Linguana raises $8.5M to help video creators reach global audiences effortlessly
Video localization startup Linguana raises $8.5M to automate content translation and monetization for global creators.
A new player is entering the creator tech space with serious backing. Linguana, a New York-based AI video localization startup, has secured US$8.5 million in seed funding to help video creators scale their global reach—and revenue—without lifting a finger.
The startup promises a hands-off approach to content translation, dubbing, and international monetization. It’s a bold proposition, especially for marketers and advertisers eyeing creator partnerships in non-English-speaking markets.
Here’s a breakdown of what Linguana offers, how it compares, and what this means for the future of global content distribution.
What is Linguana?
Linguana is a video-to-video localization platform that helps creators scale their content internationally. Instead of creators having to manage translation, dubbing, or localization themselves, Linguana handles the entire process—from content selection to high-quality voice adaptation, distribution, and monetization.
The company uses a hybrid approach: a blend of proprietary AI, third-party models, and human oversight. Their goal is to produce dubbing that mirrors the original video's tone, charisma, and even background ambiance—what it refers to as “Netflix-level quality.”
Its AI also determines which videos should be localized, which languages to prioritize, and the best timing for release to maximize reach and revenue.
Enricko Lukman
Why this matters for marketers and advertisers
The creator economy continues to globalize. Yet, most creator content remains locked in a single language, limiting reach and ROI—especially for brand partnerships targeting international audiences.
Linguana offers marketers:
- Access to creators with multilingual, localized channels
- Better engagement in native languages without generic subtitles or poor dubbing
- Additional monetization streams for partners through international expansion
For performance-driven campaigns, this could mean deeper audience penetration without new production costs.
What is Linguana's traction?
Despite being newly launched, Linguana reports strong early momentum:
- 10,000 localized videos produced monthly
- Hundreds of creators onboarded globally
- New international channels in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more
- Some localized versions outperforming creators’ original channels
- “Hundreds of thousands of USD” in new monthly revenue generated for partners
One notable example is YouTuber Charles Dowding, whose gardening content—localized into six languages—now draws over 250,000 monthly views on non-English channels, without any added workload.
Who are Linguana's founders?
Linguana is led by co-founders:
- Yuval Tal (CEO): A seasoned entrepreneur, Tal previously founded fintech firm Payoneer (Nasdaq: PAYO) and Borderfree (Nasdaq: GLBE). His experience in scaling global platforms directly informs Linguana’s cross-border ambitions.
- Oded Shafran (CTO): A video tech veteran from IMGN Media (acquired by Warner Music Group) and TVinci (acquired by Kaltura), Shafran brings deep technical expertise in video adaptation and distribution.
The founding team also includes execs from Yoola, Payoneer, and other global media firms. Notable investors in the seed round include Oren Zeev, Zohar Gilon, and the VC firm 2LVC.
Who are Linguana's competitors?
Linguana competes in a fast-growing segment of AI-driven video localization and content monetization. Key competitors include:
- Captions.ai – Offers automatic dubbing and voiceover features using AI, primarily for short-form creators. Recently raised US$25M and supports 40+ languages.
- Papercup – Focuses on AI dubbing for enterprise and media clients like Bloomberg and Insider. Known for high-quality voice synthesis and has raised over US$30M.
- Dubverse – Targets YouTubers and indie creators with fast, affordable AI dubbing tools. Offers multilingual video translation with voice cloning options.
While many rivals sell self-serve tools, Linguana differentiates itself by providing an end-to-end service with zero upfront cost—acting more like a localization partner than a software vendor.
Final takeaway
As the creator economy becomes increasingly global, tools like Linguana are positioned to unlock a new wave of monetization opportunities. With a hands-free model, proven founders, and fresh capital, the startup is betting that frictionless internationalization will be the next frontier in video content growth.
For marketers, it signals a shift: creators may no longer be limited by language, and brand collaborations can scale across borders—without having to reinvent the creative wheel.
