Kara Technologies brings sign language into the digital age. Their hyper-realistic digital humans translate content into visual sign language, making communication accessible anywhere, anytime, for the Deaf community.
Why we invested
Kara Technologies is making sign language available at scale, enabling millions of Deaf people to access content many of us take for granted: emergency broadcasts, children’s books, education, public services and more. If it’s not in sign language it’s not fully accessible for the Deaf community.
And yes, that’s about accessibility - but it goes deeper.
Kara’s work is about shifting the burden. Instead of placing the onus on the Deaf community to adapt, Kara gives businesses, governments, and society the tools to be inclusive by default. That’s not just accessibility - it’s equity.
From day one, Kara built with, and not just for, the Deaf community. Their co-design process wasn’t just about inclusion; it became a source of strength, shaping a product that reflects lived experience and builds trust. That authenticity is now a competitive edge, enabling real-world use cases that others couldn’t reach.
Their early traction in emergency communication proved the power of the technology and helped the company to test community engagement across different countries and markets. But Kara’s ambition doesn’t stop there. The vision is bold and urgent: any content, anywhere, available in sign language in real time.
Transaction Summary
Measuring What Matters
Depth: subjective experience of the Deaf community in their ability to equitably participate in society.
Duration: ranges from single instances of improved access to a service for individuals through to long-term improved life outcomes from greater access to education, information and content.
