What ConnectHear does

ConnectHear, founded in 2017 and headquartered in Pakistan, develops AI-powered accessibility solutions for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The company's portfolio centers on three proprietary AI products: SILA, a conversational sign language AI agent enabling real-time communication across websites, mobile apps, event kiosks, and corporate enterprise deployments; SUNO, described as the world's first AI sign language disaster warning system that converts written or spoken content into sign language video broadcasts; and BOLO, a gamified sign language learning platform positioned as 'Duolingo for Sign Language.' These AI products are complemented by the ConnectHear App, a consumer-facing mobile and web application providing one-tap video-call access to professional human sign language interpreters, currently serving 50,000+ users globally. The founding team combines a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA) with lived community experience and a Machine Learning Expert.

ConnectHear operates a hybrid go-to-market model. Enterprise customers — including financial institutions (HBL, Standard Chartered, UBL, NBP, Albaraka, Faysal Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, HMB, Islami Bank), telecommunications operators (PTCL Group, JazzCash, easypaisa, Ufone4G), consumer goods firms (Unilever), industrial companies (Interloop, Artistic Milliners, Packages), and government entities (Government of Pakistan) — access SILA AI deployment, professional interpretation services, sensitization training, capacity building, sign language classes, video production, and inclusive hiring facilitation. Revenue is generated through custom-priced subscription-based AI licensing (annual billing), professional interpretation services (subscription), training and consulting engagements (multi-year contracts), and content/video production. The consumer segment is served through freemium mobile apps (iOS, Google Play) and a web app, with registration-based access to interpreter video calls.

The company reports 150+ global corporate, government, and community partners, and 500,000+ lives impacted. Institutional credibility is reinforced by partnerships with Google, BBC, Forbes, GSMA, UNICEF, USAID, British Council, Nvidia (Inception Program), and UK FCDO, as well as finalist recognition at the 4YFN Awards at MWC Barcelona. ConnectHear also operates the Access.Ability multi-vertical event series (Tech Innovation Summit, Careers, Awards, League, Music, Walk), which doubles as a community engagement and demand-generation platform, with Access.Ability.Careers having collected 5,000+ CVs and facilitated 50+ companies. The company reports WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility compliance and has not disclosed any external funding rounds in the available source material.

Name

ConnectHear

Legal name

ConnectHear

Website

https://connecthear.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ConnectHear is a Pakistan-based AI accessibility startup (founded 2017) building proprietary sign-language AI products (SILA, SUNO, BOLO) and on-demand human interpreter services for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals across enterprise and consumer markets globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Accessibility Software

NAICS

Translation and Interpretation Services (541930), Translation and Interpretation Services (54193), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD), Sign Language Learning Programs (ASL/BSL, etc.) (EDAMAFAM), Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB)

Keywords

• Sign language AI
• Accessibility software
• Disability inclusion
• Video interpretation services
• AI communication platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Delaware

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. AI Technology Licensing & Deployment: Licensing of SILA conversational AI agent for website integration, app integration, event kiosks, and corporate deployment. Revenue from deployment fees and ongoing licensing arrangements with enterprise customers.
2. Professional Interpretation Services: On-demand in-person and virtual professional sign language interpretation services for enterprises and organizations. Revenue from service fees for interpretation sessions via the ConnectHear app.
3. Sign Language Training & Education: Professional sign language courses for corporate teams and individuals through BOLO platform, as well as sensitization training, capacity building, and inclusive hiring facilitation services.
4. Content & Video Production Services: End-to-end content production with professional sign language overlays and accessibility features for corporate and government clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ConnectHear develops AI-powered accessibility software and interpretation services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Its core products include SILA (a conversational sign language AI agent for real-time communication), SUNO (an AI sign language disaster warning system), BOLO (a gamified sign language learning platform), and the ConnectHear App (on-demand human interpreter video calls), complemented by professional services such as sensitization training, sign language classes, and inclusive hiring facilitation.

Product overview

ConnectHear offers an integrated portfolio of AI-powered accessibility solutions for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The core product suite consists of three flagship AI products: SILA (conversational sign language AI agent), SUNO (AI sign language disaster warning system), and BOLO (gamified sign language learning platform), complemented by the ConnectHear App providing on-demand human interpreter video calls. The portfolio also includes a range of professional services (sensitization training, capacity building, sign language classes, interpretation services, video production, and inclusive hiring facilitation) and signature events under the Access.Ability. platform (Tech summit, Careers, Awards, League, Music, and Walk). The products work together to provide comprehensive end-to-end accessibility across digital platforms, workplaces, education, healthcare, government, and public spaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SILA: Conversational Sign Language AI Agent - ConnectHear's AI-powered assistant enabling real-time sign language communication across digital and physical environments
• SUNO
• BOLO

Products and services

• SILA ConnectHear's AI-powered conversational sign language AI agent enabling real-time sign language communication across digital and physical environments, deployed via website integration, app integration, event kiosks, and corporate deployment. Targeted at enterprises, governments, and organizations.
• SUNO The world's first AI sign language disaster warning system that transforms written or spoken content into sign language videos using AI for websites, education, government, and emergency alerts. Targeted at government agencies, educational institutions, and emergency services.
• BOLO Interactive, gamified sign language learning platform (described as 'Duolingo for Sign Language') helping individuals and organizations learn sign language effectively and engagingly. Targeted at individuals learning sign language and corporate teams.
• ConnectHear App

Quantifiable outcome

• 500,000+ lives impacted through AI and human empathy-based solutions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• GooglemajorTechnology or IntegrationStrategic partnership with Google for accessibility and inclusion technology initiatives. Google partner logo displayed indicating collaboration on accessibility solutions.
• GSMAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with GSMA for mobile ecosystem accessibility standards and innovation. GSMA recognition for innovation in accessibility and social impact.
• UNICEFmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation partnership with UNICEF focused on accessibility and inclusion for children with disabilities globally.
• USAIDmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partnership with USAID for social impact initiatives supporting disability inclusion in Pakistan.
• British CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with British Council for cultural and educational accessibility initiatives and programs.
• NvidiacoreTechnology or IntegrationNvidia Inception Program member for AI technology development. Access to Nvidia's AI/ML technology resources and ecosystem.
• PTCL GroupcoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic technology partnership with PTCL Group for advancing digital ecosystem and connectivity solutions in Pakistan.
• ForbesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerForbes featured coverage of ConnectHear's deaf-inclusive innovation and social impact work.
• BBCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBBC recognition and coverage of ConnectHear's accessibility and social impact initiatives.
• Albaraka BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Albaraka Bank for Islamic banking accessibility and financial inclusion.
• HBL (Habib Bank Limited)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with HBL for inclusive banking services and Access.Ability.Careers inclusive hiring program.
• Standard Chartered BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for inclusive banking and accessibility services.
• UBL (United Bank Limited)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UBL for inclusive banking and financial accessibility.
• NBP (National Bank of Pakistan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NBP for inclusive hiring and accessibility services.
• JazzCashcoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital inclusion partnership with JazzCash for accessible mobile financial services.
• easypaisacoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with easypaisa for digital financial inclusion accessibility.
• Ufone4GcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Ufone4G for digital inclusion and accessibility initiatives.
• UnilevercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Unilever for accessibility and inclusion initiatives in consumer goods sector.
• InterloopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Interloop for inclusive hiring and workplace accessibility.
• GSMA FoundrycoreTechnology or IntegrationGSMA Foundry program participation for innovation in accessibility technology.
• TIEC (The Indus Entrepreneur)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with TiE for entrepreneurship development and network access.
• Global Social Entrepreneurship (GSEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with GSEA for global social entrepreneurship recognition and support.
• World Startup Alliance (WSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with World Startup Alliance for global startup ecosystem access.
• TRT World CitizenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partnership with TRT World Citizen for visibility and storytelling.
• Diana AwardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Diana Award for youth leadership and inclusion initiatives.
• DIB (Dubai Islamic Bank)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Dubai Islamic Bank for Islamic banking accessibility.
• Serena HotelsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Serena Hotels for hospitality accessibility.
• Islami BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Islami Bank for Islamic banking accessibility.
• Faysal BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Faysal Bank for inclusive banking services.
• SCB (Standard Chartered)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Standard Chartered Bank for inclusive banking.
• Artistic MillinerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Artistic Milliners for textile industry accessibility and inclusion.
• BahlminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Bahl for business accessibility solutions.
• FM91minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with FM91 radio for media accessibility.
• HMB (Himalaya Bank)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with HMB for inclusive banking services.
• PackagescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Packages for packaging industry accessibility.
• SewF (Social Enterprise Women Forum)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with SewF for women-led social enterprise support.
• OYW (One Young World)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with One Young World for youth leadership in accessibility.
• TRT (Turkish Radio and Television)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with TRT for media accessibility and coverage.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ava (Sierra Labs): Ava provides real-time captioning and transcription for deaf and hard-of-hearing users in group conversations, directly competing with ConnectHear's live communication accessibility solutions across enterprise and consumer use cases.
• Sorenson Communications: Sorenson is the leading US video relay service (VRS) provider connecting deaf users with sign language interpreters via video call — directly comparable to ConnectHear App's on-demand human interpretation model and core B2B/B2C accessibility positioning.
• Hand Talk: Hand Talk offers an AI-powered sign language translation app and web plug-in for Portuguese and ASL, competing directly with ConnectHear's SILA conversational AI agent and website integration products.
• Purple Communications: Purple Communications is a major US VRS and video remote interpretation provider serving deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, comparable to ConnectHear's human interpreter marketplace and enterprise accessibility deployment.
• Convo Relay: Convo provides VRS and on-demand sign language interpretation services for deaf consumers and businesses, closely matching ConnectHear's ConnectHear App offering and enterprise interpretation services.
• InnoCaption: InnoCaption provides real-time captioning for phone calls targeting deaf and hard-of-hearing users, competing with ConnectHear's accessibility communication offerings in the consumer and enterprise accessibility space.

Emerging players

• SignAll: SignAll builds computer vision AI for sign language recognition and translation — a more research-stage peer that competes on the underlying AI technology powering ConnectHear's SILA and SUNO products.

Broad incumbents

• Google Live Transcribe: Google's Live Transcribe (built with GAAD and deaf community input) provides free real-time speech-to-text captioning on Android — a broad platform incumbent that competes with ConnectHear's consumer and enterprise accessibility offerings as a free alternative.
• Microsoft AI for Accessibility: Microsoft's AI for Accessibility program funds and builds AI-powered accessibility tools for people with disabilities, representing a broad incumbent with vastly greater R&D resources that could compete with ConnectHear's enterprise accessibility deployments.
• Otter.ai: Otter.ai is a leading AI meeting transcription and captioning platform used widely in enterprise settings — a broad incumbent whose live captioning technology partially overlaps with ConnectHear's accessibility communication offerings for hearing and hard-of-hearing users.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/connecthearofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/connecthear
• Instagraminstagram.com/connecthear
• Xx.com/connect_hear

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ConnectHear