XL8
XL8 is a private AI company that builds domain-specialized machine translation engines (MediaCAT and EventCAT) for media localization, conference interpretation, and government transcription, serving streaming platforms, broadcasters, LSPs, and event organizers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersSan Jose, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What XL8 does
XL8 is a private deep-tech AI company founded in 2019 and headquartered in San Jose, California, with engineering and R&D operations in Seoul, South Korea. The company specializes in AI-powered machine translation purpose-built for the media and entertainment vertical, addressing the gap between general-purpose MT engines (Google, Amazon, Microsoft, IBM) and the colloquial, context-dependent translation demands of subtitling, dubbing, and live broadcast workflows. Its proprietary SiMT (Simultaneous Machine Translation) engine is trained on 'Golden Data' — human-perfected, hand-curated media and entertainment translation content accumulated over 20 years — and supports multimodal translation (audiovisual cues + context awareness) across 50+ languages. The product portfolio comprises two flagship platforms: MediaCAT, an API-driven media localization engine sold to streaming platforms (Netflix, Disney), broadcasters, localization service providers, and content creators; and EventCAT, a real-time AI conference interpretation platform supporting live subtitles, audio files, and session summaries delivered via QR codes at international events.
XL8 monetizes through a mix of API subscription and licensing (MediaCAT, embedded integrations with partners such as Zixi and Crowdin), self-serve event platform access (EventCAT at eventcat.com), and professional services via its acquired subsidiary American High-Tech Transcription And Reporting (AHT), which provides stenography, transcription, and translation services to U.S. government agencies. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quote-based, consistent with enterprise contracts. The go-to-market motion is multi-modal: API-first product-led growth for developer and localization customers, direct enterprise sales for streaming and broadcast accounts, event-driven technology partnerships (SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, Connect Marketplace Hong Kong 2026), and a government field-sales motion post-AHT acquisition. The company has raised approximately $18–21 million in cumulative funding through 2023, led by KB Investment and Atinum Investment, and has secured SOC 2 Type 2 and TPN Gold Shield certifications.
Customer reach spans 100+ clients across 70+ countries, with named logos including Netflix, Disney, Zixi, Crowdin, Iyuno, EO Studio, Gobavo, TRT, and Cineverse, alongside flagship event-partner wins in Tokyo and Hong Kong. Headcount is reported at 11–50 employees. The company's strategic trajectory — Series A-driven geographic expansion into Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas; generative AI enhancement of the SiMT engine; and vertical extension into government and MICE — positions it as a vertically specialized MT platform competing against both horizontal foundation-model providers and traditional human localization services.
XL8 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- XL8
- Legal name
- XL8 Inc.
- Website
- https://XL8.ai
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- XL8 is a private AI company that builds domain-specialized machine translation engines (MediaCAT and EventCAT) for media localization, conference interpretation, and government transcription, serving streaming platforms, broadcasters, LSPs, and event organizers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
XL8 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- AI Machine Translation Software
- NAICS
- Translation and Interpretation Services (541930), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Localization Technology & Automation (TMS, Subtitle Tools, MT/AI, Speech-to-Text) (MPAHAFAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Content-Aware/AI Media Processing (Per-Title Encode, Scene Detection) (MPAHAHAH), Interoperability & Integration Tooling (APIs, connectors, standards support) (MPAHANAJ), AI Integration & Orchestration Platforms (Connectors, Workflow, iPaaS for AI) (HDAEANAI)
Keywords
Where XL8 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Jose
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
XL8 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- AI Translation API (MediaCAT): XL8 provides AI-powered machine translation APIs (MediaCAT) for media localization, sold to content owners, localization service providers, and streaming platforms. Revenue is generated through API usage and per-project translation services for media subtitling and dubbing workflows.
- EventCAT Conference Solutions: XL8 sells EventCAT conference solutions for real-time AI interpretation at events. This product is offered as a platform/service for event organizers and corporate clients requiring multilingual event support.
- API and Integration Licensing: XL8 licenses its translation technology via seamless API integration to third-party portals, localization platforms, and broadcasting systems (e.g., Zixi integration for live broadcasts). Revenue generated through API subscription or usage-based licensing.
- Government Transcription and Translation Services: Through its acquisition of American High-Tech Transcription And Reporting (AHT), XL8 provides stenography, transcription, and translation services for U.S. government agencies.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Contact sales for custom pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
XL8 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
XL8 develops and sells AI-powered machine translation software purpose-built for media and entertainment localization, delivered via two core products. MediaCAT provides machine translation and post-editing workflows for streaming, broadcast, and entertainment content, while EventCAT delivers real-time AI simultaneous interpretation with subtitles for conferences and events. The technology is exposed through APIs and integrated into partner platforms such as Zixi and Crowdin.
Product overview
XL8 offers a dual-product portfolio centered on AI-powered machine translation technology. MediaCAT is the company's flagship media localization platform designed for entertainment and broadcast content, supporting major streaming platforms with human-like translations optimized for colloquial speech. EventCAT is a separate conference interpretation solution providing real-time AI translation services for events, supporting 50+ languages with high accuracy and significant cost/time savings. Both products leverage XL8's proprietary SiMT engine and are supported by API integration capabilities for enterprise workflows.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MediaCAT: Media localization platform for AI-powered translation of media and entertainment content
- EventCAT
Products and services
- MediaCAT AI-powered media localization platform that delivers machine translation for entertainment and broadcast content, supporting subtitling, dubbing, and post-editing workflows for streaming platforms, broadcasters, and content owners. It is designed for high-accuracy, colloquial translations in media contexts and is exposed via API and partner integrations.
- EventCAT AI-powered real-time simultaneous interpretation and conference translation platform that delivers live subtitles, audio files, and session summaries via QR codes in 50+ languages. It is sold to event organizers, MICE conference hosts, and corporate clients as a self-serve and white-label solution for multilingual event support.
- XL8 Translation API Developer-facing API and integration layer that exposes XL8's AI machine translation engine to enterprise and localization platform customers, enabling them to embed XL8's translation capabilities directly into their own workflows and portals.
- Government Transcription and Translation Services Professional stenography, transcription, and translation services delivered to U.S. government agencies and related entities, offered through XL8's wholly owned subsidiary American High-Tech Transcription And Reporting, Inc. (AHT).
Quantifiable outcome
- 70% reduction in translation latency compared to sequential translation
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use XL8
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
XL8 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability7 records
Feature7 records
XL8 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government (SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026)flagshipXL8 was selected as the official technology partner for SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, deploying its EventCAT platform for AI simultaneous interpretation. This was achieved without prior marketing efforts in Japan, representing a significant market entry milestone.
- Connect Marketplace Hong Kong 2026 (CMHK 2026)flagshipXL8 served as the technical partner for Connect Marketplace Hong Kong 2026, Asia's largest MICE event held at AsiaWorld-Expo with over 300 hospitality and tourism companies and 600 multinational buyers. EventCAT delivered real-time translation subtitles, audio files, and session summaries via QR codes.
- ZixicoreXL8 partners with Zixi to integrate AI translation technology with Zixi's broadcast protocol and ZEN Master control plane, enabling live broadcasts in 725 languages to customers in 120 countries. XL8's technology is promoted through joint messaging and co-marketing.
- CrowdincoreCrowdin has integrated XL8's machine translation technology into its localization platform, enabling Crowdin clients to access XL8's AI translation for media content through a seamless and swift integration process.
- IyunocoreIyuno is a major localization service provider and customer of XL8, reporting 74% ready-to-use translations, 32% faster delivery, and 20% better performance using XL8's engine. Iyuno's CFO has provided a testimonial citing XL8 as 'the ultimate choice in machine translation.'
- EO PlanetminorEO Planet is a localization service partner listed on XL8's website, using XL8's technology for media content localization services.
- VoyagerXminorVoyagerX is listed as a partner on XL8's website, suggesting a localization services or integration partnership relationship.
- CineverseminorCineverse is listed as a partner on XL8's website, indicating usage of XL8's AI translation technology for media localization.
- TRT (Türkive Radyo ve Televizyon Kurumu)minorTRT (Turkish Radio and Television Corporation) is listed as a partner on XL8's website, suggesting usage of XL8's technology for Turkish media broadcasting localization.
- OOONAminorOOONA is listed as a partner on XL8's website, indicating a collaboration in the professional translation and media localization space.
- Wilco MediaminorWilco Media is listed as a partner on XL8's website, using XL8's AI translation technology for media localization.
- Voxx StudiosminorVoxx Studios is listed as a partner on XL8's website, indicating usage of XL8's translation technology for media production.
- Elrom StudiosminorElrom Studios is listed as a partner on XL8's website, indicating usage of XL8's AI translation technology.
- The KitchenminorThe Kitchen is listed as a partner on XL8's website, indicating usage of XL8's translation technology for media localization.
- June FirstminorJune First is listed as a partner on XL8's website, indicating usage of XL8's AI translation technology.
- CentaurominorCentauro is listed as a partner on XL8's website.
- GobavominorGobavo is a localization service provider using XL8's engine, with a project coordinator reporting significant time and cost savings for entertainment translations.
- TYTminorTYT is listed as a partner on XL8's website, indicating usage of XL8's translation technology.
- Acun MedyaminorAcun Medya is listed as a partner on XL8's website.
- LLSminorLLS is listed as a partner on XL8's website.
- 2G Digitalminor2G Digital is listed as a partner on XL8's website, indicating usage of XL8's translation technology for digital media localization.
- VoiceQminorVoiceQ is listed as a partner on XL8's website.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
XL8 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DeepL: DeepL is a leading AI machine translation company offering high-quality neural MT for enterprise and prosumer use, directly competing with XL8's MediaCAT in the same customer set of localization teams and content owners.
- Unbabel: Unbabel combines AI translation with human post-editing for enterprise localization workflows, targeting the same LSP and enterprise localization buyers that XL8 serves with MediaCAT.
- Lilt: Lilt (now part of Google) built an AI-assisted translation platform for enterprise content, directly comparable to XL8's MediaCAT in product, model, and target buyer; the acquisition underscores the strategic value of this niche.
- Interprefy: Interprefy provides remote simultaneous interpretation and AI captioning for multilingual events and conferences, directly competing with XL8's EventCAT in the MICE and corporate event market.
- Kudo: Kudo offers AI-powered and human simultaneous interpretation for events and meetings, addressing the same event-interpretation use case as EventCAT, with overlapping enterprise and government buyers.
- Translated: Translated operates an AI-and-human translation platform (ModernMT) for enterprise and LSP customers, comparable to XL8 in business model, technology stack, and target segments.
Broad incumbents
- Google Translate / Google Cloud Translation: Google's general-purpose MT offering (and now the Lilt platform) competes with XL8 in API-based machine translation, with vastly larger scale, multilingual coverage, and bundled cloud pricing pressure.
- Microsoft Translator: Microsoft Translator is a broad AI translation service embedded in Microsoft 365 and Azure, competing with XL8 in enterprise localization and meeting/event translation scenarios.
- Amazon Translate: Amazon Translate is a cloud MT service offered as part of AWS, directly comparable in API model and pricing pressure to XL8's MediaCAT API for developers and enterprises.
- LanguageLine Solutions: LanguageLine is the largest on-demand interpretation and translation provider in the U.S., spanning phone, video, and document services; it competes with XL8's interpretation and government translation offerings through scale and entrenched enterprise contracts.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
XL8 social profiles
Digital presenceXL8 compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
XL8 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
XL8 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
XL8 subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
XL8 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
XL8 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about XL8
What does XL8 do?
XL8 develops and sells AI-powered machine translation software purpose-built for media and entertainment localization, delivered via two core products. MediaCAT provides machine translation and post-editing workflows for streaming, broadcast, and entertainment content, while EventCAT delivers real-time AI simultaneous interpretation with subtitles for conferences and events. The technology is exposed through APIs and integrated into partner platforms such as Zixi and Crowdin.
Is XL8 a public or private company?
XL8 is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was XL8 founded?
XL8 was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is XL8 based?
XL8 is headquartered in San Jose, United States, in the North America region.
How does XL8 make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. AI Translation API (MediaCAT) is the primary driver. The others are eventCAT Conference Solutions, API and Integration Licensing and government Transcription and Translation Services.
Who are XL8's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DeepL, Unbabel, Lilt, Interprefy, Kudo and Translated. Broad incumbents are Google Translate / Google Cloud Translation, Microsoft Translator, Amazon Translate and LanguageLine Solutions.
Does XL8 have an API?
Yes. XL8 offers API integration capabilities allowing developers to connect XL8's AI translation tools to streamline localization processes. The API enables integration with any portal or platform. Documentation is available at /documentations. Developer documentation is at www.xl8.ai/documentations.
What industry is XL8 in?
XL8's product category is AI Machine Translation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAHAFAH, Localization Technology & Automation (TMS, Subtitle Tools, MT/AI, Speech-to-Text), with a secondary code of MPAHAHAH, Content-Aware/AI Media Processing (Per-Title Encode, Scene Detection). Its NAICS code is 541930 and its SIC code is 7819.