What Convo Communications does

Convo Communications is a deaf-owned, Austin-headquartered provider of Video Relay Service (VRS) and broader ASL interpretation platforms, founded in 2009. The company is fully certified by the Federal Communications Commission to deliver relay services and operates a multi-product accessibility platform serving deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, the employers of those individuals, and enterprise customers who need to comply with accessibility requirements.

The core technology stack centers on four products: Convo Call, a next-generation VRS application rebuilt in 2025 for Android, iOS, and Web; Convo Access, a QR-code-based system that instantly connects users at partner locations to a live ASL interpreter; Convo Now, an on-demand interpreter service funded by workplaces for in-person conversations; and Convo for Zoom, which embeds ASL interpretation directly inside Zoom meetings at no cost. The platform relies on qualified human interpreters rather than machine interpretation, with technology primarily focused on reducing friction (instant connection, QR-code triggers, embedded Zoom integration).

The business model combines FCC-regulated VRS compensation for consumer relay calls with enterprise B2B partnerships spanning healthcare, aviation, automotive, insurance, entertainment, and retail — a network that has grown to 400+ partners across 6+ countries (US, UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa, and a global market). Distribution is hybrid: self-serve mobile and web apps for individual users, plus direct enterprise field sales for organizational deployments. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; Convo for Zoom is free to end users and Convo Now is workplace-funded, while enterprise partnership terms are negotiated bilaterally. The only disclosed capital event is a $500,000 debt facility from Bridge Bank in November 2010.

Name

Convo Communications

Legal name

Convo Communications

Website

https://convorelay.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Convo Communications is a deaf-owned, FCC-certified provider of Video Relay Service and ASL interpretation platforms serving deaf individuals, their employers, and enterprise customers across 6+ countries via a four-product portfolio including Convo Call, Convo Access, Convo Now, and Convo for Zoom.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Video Relay Services

SIC

Communications Services, Nec (4899), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Video Conferencing & Meetings (HDAIAHAI)

Keywords

• Video relay services
• ASL interpretation
• Accessibility services
• Sign language interpreting
• Communication access

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Video Relay Service (VRS) Subscriptions: FCC-regulated VRS service providing ASL interpretation for deaf individuals. As a federally certified provider, Convo receives compensation for providing relay services. The service connects deaf users with interpreters who facilitate calls between deaf and hearing parties.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Convo Communications operates an FCC-certified Video Relay Service (VRS) platform that connects deaf individuals with qualified ASL interpreters for real-time telephone, video, workplace, and in-person conversations. Its portfolio includes Convo Call (mobile/web VRS app), Convo Access (QR-code-based location interpreter access at partner sites), Convo Now (workplace-funded on-demand in-person interpretation), and Convo for Zoom (integrated Zoom meeting interpretation). The platform is used by individual deaf consumers and by 400+ enterprise partners including NHS, Heathrow, Aviva, and Merlin Entertainments.

Product overview

Convo is a deaf-owned, globally run VRS (Video Relay Service) platform providing multiple ASL interpretation products. The portfolio includes Convo Access (QR code-based location interpreter access), Convo Call (next-generation VRS mobile/web app for Android, iOS, and Web), Convo Now (on-demand workplace-funded interpreter for in-person conversations), and Convo for Zoom (Zoom-integrated ASL interpretation). These products enable deaf individuals to connect with qualified ASL interpreters instantly at home, work, or on the go.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Convo Access QR code-based interpreter access service at partner locations: users scan a QR code displayed at a partner venue to instantly connect with a qualified ASL interpreter for real-time in-person conversations. Targeted at deaf individuals visiting participating businesses and at the enterprises (airports, retailers, healthcare providers, entertainment venues) that deploy the QR codes to serve deaf customers.
• Convo Call Next-generation Video Relay Service mobile and web application that connects deaf users with qualified ASL interpreters for real-time telephone and video calls with hearing parties. Available on Android, iOS, and Web. Targeted at deaf and hard-of-hearing individual consumers and the FCC-regulated VRS market.
• Convo Now On-demand ASL interpreter service for in-person workplace conversations. Provides instant interpreter access directly from the user's device without waiting or setup; funded by the employer. Targeted at deaf employees and the organizations that employ them.
• Convo for Zoom Integrated ASL interpretation solution for Zoom meetings that enables any meeting participant to join with ASL interpreters instantly at no cost. Seamlessly embedded into Zoom, requiring no extra steps or app switching. Targeted at deaf Zoom users and any organization running Zoom meetings with deaf participants.

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered major, flagship, core and minor.

• NHSmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNHS (National Health Service) partners with Convo to provide accessibility services for deaf patients and staff. Convo's services enable deaf individuals to communicate effectively with healthcare providers.
• Heathrow AirportflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerHeathrow Airport partnered with Convo to establish a new standard for accessible travel. Deaf passengers can access ASL interpreters through Convo's platform for assistance throughout their airport experience. The partnership was highlighted as a case study on Convo's website.
• CitroencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAutomotive manufacturer Citroen partners with Convo to provide accessibility services for deaf customers.
• AvivacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAviva, a major insurance company, partners with Convo to provide accessibility services for deaf customers and ensure inclusive service delivery.
• Merlin EntertainmentscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMerlin Entertainments, operator of attractions like LEGOLAND and Sea Life aquariums, partners with Convo to provide accessibility for deaf visitors.
• Trinity LeedsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrinity Leeds shopping center partners with Convo to provide accessibility services for deaf shoppers.
• ZoomflagshipTechnology or IntegrationConvo for Zoom provides integrated ASL interpretation for Zoom meetings at no cost. Seamlessly integrated into the Zoom experience, allowing deaf users to join meetings with interpreters without switching applications.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• SignVideo: UK-based video relay and BSL (British Sign Language) interpretation service. Comparable to Convo's UK business but focused on BSL rather than ASL, making it a regional rather than direct competitor.

Direct peers

• ZVRS: FCC-certified VRS provider offering video relay interpretation for deaf and hard-of-hearing users in the US. Competes directly with Convo on the same regulated VRS minutes and on enterprise accessibility contracts.
• Sorenson Communications: Largest FCC-certified Video Relay Service provider in the US, offering ASL interpretation across phone, video, and enterprise channels. Directly competes with Convo Call for the same deaf user base and FCC compensation minutes.
• Purple Communications: FCC-certified VRS and video remote interpreting provider for ASL users in the US. Overlaps with Convo's core VRS offering and competes for the same deaf user base and FCC compensation.
• GlobalVRS: FCC-certified Video Relay Service provider serving deaf and hard-of-hearing customers. Operates in the same regulated VRS category as Convo Call with overlapping interpreter-pool and user-acquisition dynamics.

Emerging players

• Ava: AI-driven live captioning and accessibility platform for meetings and conversations. Competes with Convo for Zoom in the accessibility-meeting category using automated captions rather than human ASL interpretation.

Broad incumbents

• LanguageLine Solutions: Largest over-the-phone and video interpretation provider globally, spanning spoken languages. Addresses the same enterprise need (instant language interpretation for customer/employee interactions) as Convo Now but as a broad-language incumbent rather than ASL specialist.
• Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD): Large deaf-led nonprofit providing VRS, advocacy, and accessibility services. Overlaps with Convo on VRS delivery but operates more broadly across deaf community programs, social services, and policy work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/convorelay
• Facebookfacebook.com/convo

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Convo Communications