thebigword
thebigword is a UK-based language services provider delivering translation, interpreting, and AI-enabled language technology through its proprietary WordSynk platform, serving governments, healthcare providers, and blue-chip corporates across the UK, US, and Saudi Arabia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersLeeds, United Kingdom
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What thebigword does
thebigword is a UK-headquartered language services provider founded in 1981 and operating globally, delivering translation, interpreting, and language technology solutions through its proprietary WordSynk platform. The platform unifies face-to-face, telephone, video remote, and sign language interpreting services, supported by a network of 15,000+ professional linguists covering 250+ languages and secured by Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure. The product portfolio spans human translation, ISO 18587 certified machine translation with post-editing, transcription, multimedia localization, and the more recent WordSynk Virtual vertical product for US healthcare providers, alongside the March 2024 acquisition of Clarion which made the combined entity the UK's largest British Sign Language company.
The company generates revenue primarily through enterprise sales to governments, blue-chip corporates, and public sector organizations in the UK, US, and Saudi Arabia, complemented by 15 procurement frameworks that provide privileged access to public sector buyers. Pricing is not publicly disclosed but is structured around subscription/recurring interpreting engagements and project-based translation contracts. Reported FY2024 turnover was £69.2m (up from £61.4m) with EBITDA of £7.7m, indicating double-digit revenue growth and improving operating leverage while the company remains in a pre-tax loss position that narrowed to £5.3m.
Customer segments include healthcare providers, justice system, police services, local government, and enterprise/blue-chip corporates in fintech and technology verticals. Named customers include Yorkshire Water, the UK Department for Transport, North East Police, INOI, a leading online trading and investments provider, and 150+ US healthcare organizations. Go-to-market is sales-led and enterprise-oriented, with the company operating from its Leeds headquarters and additional operational presence in Miami. The company is privately held and backed by private equity investors.
thebigword firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- thebigword
- Legal name
- thebigword Group
- Website
- https://thebigword.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- thebigword is a UK-based language services provider delivering translation, interpreting, and AI-enabled language technology through its proprietary WordSynk platform, serving governments, healthcare providers, and blue-chip corporates across the UK, US, and Saudi Arabia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
thebigword industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Language Services
- NAICS
- Translation and Interpretation Services (541930), Translation and Interpretation Services (54193), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
- SIC
- Communications Services, Nec (4899), Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374), Telegraph & Other Message Communications (4822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Machine Translation & Multilingual NLP (HDAAADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Translation & Transcreation Services (Script/Dialogue Adaptation) (MPAHAFAD), Speech Translation & Multilingual Speech Tech (HDAAAFAE), Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD), Multilingual/Translation Communication Apps (BPAMACAJ)
Keywords
Where thebigword is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leeds
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
thebigword business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Interpreting Services: Provides face-to-face, telephone, video remote, and sign language interpreting services through the WordSynk platform. Services are available 24/7/365 with access to over 15,000 professional linguists. Telephone interpreting connects users in under 30 seconds.
- Translation Services: Human translation, machine translation with post-edit, transcription, multimedia, and localisation services. Services include ISO 18587 certified augmented machine translation with human post-editing.
- Translation Project Services: Large-scale translation projects delivered over defined periods, such as the Stand for Children project involving 600,000+ words across 500+ files.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
thebigword product offering
Product offeringCore offering
thebigword provides professional language interpreting and translation services delivered through its proprietary WordSynk technology platform. The Interpreting division offers face-to-face, telephone (under 30-second connection), video remote, and sign language (BSL) interpreting 24/7/365 in 250+ languages via a 15,000+ linguist network. The Translation division delivers human translation, ISO 18587 certified machine translation with post-editing, transcription, and multimedia localisation. Services are sold primarily to governments, blue-chip corporates, and public sector organisations including healthcare, justice, police, and local government.
Product overview
thebigword is a language technology company offering a comprehensive language services platform combining proprietary WordSynk technology with human expertise. The product portfolio consists of WordSynk as the core technology platform (with cloud security via Microsoft Azure, mobile apps, and AI-powered automation) supporting three main service divisions: Interpreting (Face to Face, Telephone Interpreting, Video Remote Interpreting, and Sign Language Interpreting including Video Relay Service), Translation (Human Translation, Machine Translation with Post-Edit ISO 18587 certified, Transcription, and Multimedia), and Public Sector solutions for Healthcare, Justice, Police, and Local Government. Key product features include WordSynk Virtual for healthcare interpreting, WordSynk TI Platform for telephone interpreters, and the acquired Clarion brand for British Sign Language services. The company leverages AI-enhanced workflows across translation and interpreting, supporting over 250 languages through a network of 15,000+ professional linguists.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WordSynk: thebigword Group's unique platform for delivering all interpreting services in one place, including video remote interpreting, telephone interpreting, and AI-powered language technology.
- WordSynk Virtual
Products and services
- WordSynk Platform Proprietary platform for delivering all interpreting services (face-to-face, telephone, video remote, and sign language) in one place. Secured by Microsoft Azure, accessible from any internet-connected device with mobile apps, management reporting, and AI-powered automation. Used by British and US Government Departments and top global brands.
- Face-to-Face Interpreting In-person interpreting delivered at the customer's location by qualified professional interpreters across 250+ languages. Thebigword completes 300,000+ face-to-face bookings per year, serving clients in healthcare, justice, police, local government, and corporate settings.
- Telephone Interpreting On-demand telephone interpreting connecting users with professional linguists in under 30 seconds, available 24/7/365 across 250+ languages. 36m+ telephone interpreting minutes delivered annually with 99% call reliability through the WordSynk TI platform.
- Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)
- Sign Language Interpreting (BSL) British Sign Language interpreting services including Video Relay Service for Deaf and hard of hearing communities, delivered by qualified BSL interpreters. Strengthened via the Clarion acquisition, with generative AI sign language translation via the Signapse partnership.
- Human Translation
- Machine Translation with Post-Edit
- Transcription
- Multimedia Services
- WordSynk Virtual Language interpreting platform providing instant access to interpreters for U.S. healthcare providers, with under 25-second connection for Spanish. Has supported 224,000+ interactions in 250+ languages, serving 150+ healthcare organisations. Includes three-way calling, voice recognition, session rejoin, and HIPAA compliance.
- WordSynk TI Platform Telephone interpreting platform for interpreters available as desktop and mobile applications, with one-time login, simplified call receiving process, 99% call reliability, and higher call quality. Used by thebigword's network of 15,000+ freelance linguists.
Quantifiable outcome
- Telephone interpreting connects users in under 30 seconds
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use thebigword
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
thebigword technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability8 records
Feature5 records
thebigword partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Leading Online Trading and Investments ProvidercorePartnership with fintech organisation for translation and localisation support of digital and website content. Client operates globally making financial markets accessible for investors.
- ClarioncoreAcquired British Sign Language service provider to strengthen BSL services in the UK. The deal established the combined entity as the largest British Sign Language company in the UK. Clarion continues to operate as a standalone unit. Contributed £3.3m in revenue and £200,000 EBITDA in 2024.
- INOIcoreSelected as preferred global translation partner for European technology brand. INOI manufactures affordable high-quality devices including smartphones, tablets and feature phones with millions of active customers worldwide.
- ZarachminorPartnership with Leeds-based charity dedicated to ending child bed poverty. Company pledged minimum £1,000 annual donation and provides volunteer support. Has delivered over 7,500 beds to families in Leeds area.
- Preferred Curriculum SolutionsminorEducation consulting firm collaboration on Stand for Children project. Provided specialised knowledge for curriculum selection and development, systems improvement, and instructional program implementation for the Great First Eight curriculum translation.
- Feeding South FloridaminorCSR partnership to fight hunger in South Florida. thebigword Miami team volunteered to inspect, sort, and pack food for families, processing 12,435 pounds of food equivalent to 9,876 meals in a single day.
- New Futures NetworkminorPartnership with specialist part of HMP Prison and Probation Service supporting rehabilitation of offenders. Exploring training opportunities for inmates to become linguists and employability sessions.
- Yorkshire WatercoreContract renewal for telephone interpreting services. Yorkshire Water is one of the largest regulated water and wastewater companies in the UK, serving over 5.4 million people daily.
- New Wortley Community CentreminorCSR partnership supporting local community centre. Donated sanitary products, organized winter coat appeal and Christmas food parcels, supported community festival, and delivered English language learning presentations.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
thebigword competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- LanguageLine Solutions: LanguageLine Solutions is one of the largest dedicated interpretation and translation providers globally, with strong US public-sector and healthcare penetration via telephone and video interpreting. It directly competes with thebigword in telephone/video interpreting, particularly for healthcare organisations and government clients.
- TransPerfect: TransPerfect is the world's largest privately held language services company, offering translation, interpreting, and localisation across all major verticals and geographies. It competes head-to-head with thebigword in enterprise translation, legal/financial localisation, and government contracts.
- RWS Group: RWS Group is a publicly listed UK-based language services and intellectual property solutions provider with comparable translation, localisation, and interpreting offerings. It overlaps directly with thebigword in regulated industry translation, life sciences, and enterprise localisation.
- Lionbridge Games (and parent Lionbridge): Lionbridge is a major global language services provider offering translation, localisation, and interpreting services to enterprise and public-sector clients. It directly competes with thebigword in enterprise translation and multilingual content services at global scale.
- Welocalize: Welocalize is a privately held language services provider offering translation, localisation, and interpreting with strong technology platform integration. It competes directly with thebigword across enterprise, legal, and public-sector language services.
- CyraCom International: CyraCom is a major US-based provider of telephone and video interpreting services focused heavily on healthcare and government. It directly competes with thebigword's WordSynk Virtual healthcare interpreting offering in the US market.
Emerging players
- Straker Translations: Straker Translations is a publicly listed AI-augmented translation services provider focused on enterprise clients. It represents an emerging technology-led competitor to thebigword in machine translation plus human post-editing workflows.
- Smartling: Smartling is a cloud-based translation management platform offering enterprise localisation software and managed services. It overlaps with thebigword's WordSynk platform positioning as a technology-led translation solution for global enterprises.
Regional players
- Capita Translation and Interpreting: Capita provides UK public-sector-focused translation and interpreting services, including for justice, police, and local government. It is a direct UK public-sector competitor to thebigword's government contracts and procurement framework wins.
Broad incumbents
- Microsoft (Azure AI Translator): Microsoft Azure AI offers machine translation, speech translation, and conversational AI services as part of its broader cloud and AI platform. As a broad incumbent in multilingual speech and translation AI, it represents both a competitor (AI translation services) and infrastructure partner (Azure cloud securing WordSynk) to thebigword.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
thebigword social profiles
Digital presencethebigword compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
thebigword financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
thebigword leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
thebigword subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
thebigword funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
thebigword M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about thebigword
What does thebigword do?
thebigword provides professional language interpreting and translation services delivered through its proprietary WordSynk technology platform. The Interpreting division offers face-to-face, telephone (under 30-second connection), video remote, and sign language (BSL) interpreting 24/7/365 in 250+ languages via a 15,000+ linguist network. The Translation division delivers human translation, ISO 18587 certified machine translation with post-editing, transcription, and multimedia localisation. Services are sold primarily to governments, blue-chip corporates, and public sector organisations including healthcare, justice, police, and local government.
Is thebigword a public or private company?
thebigword is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was thebigword founded?
thebigword was founded in 1981. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is thebigword based?
thebigword is headquartered in Leeds, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does thebigword make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Interpreting Services are the primary driver. The others are translation Services and translation Project Services.
Who are thebigword's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are LanguageLine Solutions, TransPerfect, RWS Group, Lionbridge Games (and parent Lionbridge), Welocalize and CyraCom International. Emerging players are Straker Translations and Smartling. Capita Translation and Interpreting is listed as a regional player. Microsoft (Azure AI Translator) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does thebigword have an API?
No public API is recorded for thebigword.
What industry is thebigword in?
thebigword's product category is Language Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAAADAD, Machine Translation & Multilingual NLP, with a secondary code of MPAHAFAD, Translation & Transcreation Services (Script/Dialogue Adaptation). Its NAICS code is 541930 and its SIC code is 4899.