Elhuyar
Elhuyar is a Basque non-profit foundation that builds AI language technology — neural machine translation (Elia), speech-to-text and dubbing (Aditu), and neural TTS — alongside scientific communication services, primarily serving Basque public institutions, EU research projects, and industrial terminology clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersUsúrbil, Spain
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Elhuyar does
Elhuyar is a non-profit foundation headquartered in Usurbil, Spain, with a secondary office in Durango (Bizkaia), focused on Basque language technology and scientific communication. Founded in 1972 as a cultural association and restructured as a foundation in 2002, Elhuyar operates a group structure comprising the foundation itself plus two wholly-owned subsidiaries, ELHUYAR-ZUBIZE SLU and ELEKA INGENIARITZA LINGUISTIKOA SLU, with a headcount of 101–250 employees.
The foundation builds and operates AI-powered language technology products targeting the Basque language (euskera) and five additional languages (Spanish, English, French, Catalan, Galician). Core products include Elia (a neural machine translation system supporting six languages, with REST API, Wordfast, and Trados Studio integrations), Aditu (a speech-to-text transcription, subtitling, and dubbing platform with voice-cloning capabilities), and Neural TTS (text-to-speech synthesis). The Elhuyar Dictionary, launched in 1994, is a flagship reference asset that has recorded over 75 million cumulative consultations. The organization also operates sub-brands including the Teknopolis television program, zientzia.eus digital science outlet, Elhuyar Zientzia Azoka science fair, Bizilabe STEAM programs, Zurrunbiloa youth mental health initiative, and the ORAI AI research center.
Commercially, Elhuyar generates revenue through professional translation and language planning services for institutional clients (Basque Government, Provincial Councils, municipalities), subscription and licensing of AI language products (Elia, Aditu, TTS), specialized terminology and corpus work for industrial customers (notably a six-firm automotive consortium), European research project communication contracts, and individual membership at 65 EUR/year. The customer base is heavily weighted toward Basque public-sector institutions and EU-funded research, with selective forays into industrial terminology and private enterprise. Governance is exercised by a board (Patronato) comprising representatives from the Basque Government, Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, Usurbil municipality, Tecnalia, and NEIKER, indicating deep institutional alignment with the Basque public research and language ecosystem.
Elhuyar firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Elhuyar
- Legal name
- ELHUYAR FUNDAZIOA
- Website
- https://elhuyar.eus
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Elhuyar is a Basque non-profit foundation that builds AI language technology — neural machine translation (Elia), speech-to-text and dubbing (Aditu), and neural TTS — alongside scientific communication services, primarily serving Basque public institutions, EU research projects, and industrial terminology clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Elhuyar industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Language Technology Services
- NAICS
- Translation and Interpretation Services (541930), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Educational Support Services (611710), Other Computer Related Services (541519)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Translation, Language Accessibility & Reading Support Tools (e.g., TTS, Captions, Immersive Reader) (EDAFAOAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Corporate & Workforce Language Training Platforms (EDAFAOAJ), Online/Hybrid Adult ESL & Language Learning Platforms (EDAAACAK)
Keywords
Where Elhuyar is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Usúrbil
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Elhuyar business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Language Services and Consulting: Professional translation services (Basque, Spanish, English, French and other languages), linguistic audits, language planning advisory for organizations, Basque language normalization plans for companies and public administrations. Services include translation tools integration (Wordfast, Trados), transcription, and subtitling.
- AI Language Technology Products: Commercial licensing of Elia machine translation, Aditu subtitling/dubbing platform, and Neural TTS voices. Products available via web subscription, API integration, and professional tool plugins (Wordfast, Trados Studio).
- Science Communication and Education Services: Custom scientific dissemination projects, educational programs, STEAM leisure programs (Bizilabe), audiovisual production, communication strategy services for Basque institutions and companies.
- Social Transformation Consulting: Equality plans, gender mainstreaming, cultural change programs, participatory processes for organizations and public administrations.
- Membership/Sponsorship: Individual membership at 65 EUR/year (tax-deductible in Basque Country), with quarterly magazine. Special sponsorship available for companies and organizations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Individual Membership - 65 EUR/year |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Elhuyar product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Elhuyar develops and operates AI-based language technology products for Basque and multilingual support, including the Elia neural machine translation system, Aditu audiovisual transcription and dubbing platform, and Neural TTS voice synthesis service covering six languages. The foundation complements these products with professional translation services, Basque language planning, lexicography and terminology management, scientific dissemination and education programs, equality consulting, and European research project communication, serving public administrations, research organizations, and private companies primarily in the Basque Country.
Product overview
Elhuyar is a nonprofit foundation (founded 1972, restructured 2002) offering a comprehensive language technology platform built around AI-powered tools for Basque and multilingual processing. Core products include: Elia (neural machine translation for 6 languages), Aditu (speech-to-text transcription/subtitling/dubbing), and Neural TTS (text-to-speech voice synthesis). Supporting services span professional translation, Basque language planning, scientific communication, equality consulting, and STEAM education programs. The Elhuyar Dictionary (75M+ consultations over 30 years) serves as the flagship reference tool. The group structure includes Elhuyar Fundazioa (foundation), Elhuyar-Zubize SLU, and Eleka Ingeniaritza Linguistikoa SLU. Recent initiatives include Linguatec-IA for advanced Basque AI, ORAI AI research center, and EU project communication services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Elia: AI-based automatic translator supporting 6 languages: Basque, Spanish, French, English, Catalan, and Galician.
- Aditu
- Elhuyarren TTS neuronala
- Bizilabe
Products and services
- Elia Neural Machine Translation AI-based automatic translator that translates text and documents between six languages using neural networks, offering customizable dictionaries, guided translation editing, and a legal-administrative text mode for organizations and individual users needing multilingual Basque-enabled translation.
- Aditu Speech-to-Text and Subtitling Platform Audiovisual transcription and subtitling platform using speech recognition to convert audio/video into text, generate subtitles, translate them, and produce automatic dubbing with voice cloning in six languages, designed for media producers, broadcasters, and content localization teams.
- Neural TTS of Elhuyar Neural text-to-speech system generating natural-sounding synthetic voices in six languages (Basque, Spanish, French, English, Catalan, Galician), with generic voices and customized voice cloning, accessible via web, toolbar, or REST API for application integration.
- Elhuyar Dictionary (Elhuyar Hiztegia) Online bilingual Basque dictionary with 30 years of history and 75 million+ consultations, providing pronunciation audio and specialized terminology for general and domain-specific queries, available to students, professionals, and the general public.
- Professional Translation Services Professional translation services across Basque, Spanish, English, French, and other languages, delivered by mother-tongue translators with revision by proofreaders, project management via the Itzulpenflow platform, and Aneti/AENOR quality certification for institutions and companies.
- Language Services and Basque Plans Basque language planning services including diagnostic assessments, organizational language plans, AROA framework processes, KEMEN for the public sector, and linguistic empowerment training for organizations and public administrations seeking language normalization.
- Lexicography, Terminology and Corpus Services Custom dictionary and corpus creation services covering the Elhuyar bilingual dictionary, specialized subject dictionaries (Leiho Morea, Agenda 2030, Railway, SPRI New Industry, Digital Environment), and industry-specific corpora for institutions and research users.
- AI Data Generation and Annotation Services NLP-focused data services that create and annotate linguistic data, including terminological resources, multilingual corpus alignment, annotation tasks, and AI-specific data generation for organizations running language technology and NLP projects.
- Communication Services Professional communication services covering strategy, website development, article writing, video production, and press office functions delivered in multiple languages for research institutions, public bodies, and corporate clients.
- Scientific Dissemination and Education Services Custom scientific dissemination and educational projects including educational programs, Bizilabe STEAM leisure programs, public events, audiovisual and podcast production, and student orientation for municipalities and educational institutions.
- European Projects Communication Services Communication and dissemination work packages for European and international R&D and innovation projects, delivered for consortiums such as INCA, WASTEWISE, ALBATROSS, ALPHABETICA, REMAKING, and NEM-EMERGE.
- Equality, Participation and Social Transformation Services Equality and social transformation consulting services combining cultural change programs, equality plans, participatory processes, sectoral community interventions, and gender mainstreaming for organizations and public administrations.
Quantifiable outcome
- 75 million+ consultations recorded by Elhuyar Dictionary over 30 years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Elhuyar
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Elhuyar technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability6 records
Feature5 records
Elhuyar partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Euskaltzaindia (Academy of the Basque Language)flagshipFive-year partnership agreement signed in March 2026 for collaboration on Basque language development and promotion activities.
- TecnaliacoreTecnalia is represented on the board of Elhuyar Fundazioa through Joseba Laka Mugarza. Collaborative relationship in technology and innovation ecosystem.
- NEIKERcoreNEIKER is represented on the board of Elhuyar Fundazioa through Olatz Unamunzaga Galarza. Collaborative relationship in research and technology.
- INCA (EU Project)minorEuropean research project for science communication and dissemination collaboration.
- WASTEWISE (EU Project)minorEuropean research project for waste management communication and dissemination.
- ALBATROSS (EU Project)minorEuropean research project collaboration for dissemination activities.
- ALPHABETICA (EU Project)minorEuropean research project for alphabetization and language technology dissemination.
- REMAKING (EU Project)minorEuropean research project for manufacturing innovation communication.
- NEM-EMERGE (EU Project)minorEuropean research project for emerging technologies communication.
- EHU (University of the Basque Country)coreClient and collaborator in communication services. EHU is a founding member and key stakeholder in the Basque science ecosystem.
- ORAI (AI Center)coreORAI is described as the AI center of which Elhuyar is a part, indicating deep institutional integration in Basque AI research.
- Euskalgintzaren KontseiluaminorMembership in Basque language planning and policy industry council.
- Soziolinguistika KlusterraminorMembership in sociolinguistics cluster organization.
- InnobasqueminorMembership in Basque innovation ecosystem network.
- EuskalitminorMembership in Basque advanced management and competitiveness organization.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Elhuyar competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lionbridge: Lionbridge is one of the largest language services providers globally, combining professional translation, interpreting, and AI-enabled localization tools. Overlaps with Elhuyar's translation services and Basque language planning offerings across the same institutional buyer profile.
- RWS Group (formerly SDL): RWS is a global language services and technology incumbent offering Trados Studio, MT, and regulated-industry localization. Comparable to Elhuyar across the language technology (MT) and translation services portfolios, but with vastly broader language coverage and a public-market scale.
- Microsoft Translator / Azure AI: Microsoft Translator (part of Azure Cognitive Services) provides neural MT, speech, and TTS APIs. Broadly comparable to the Elia/Aditu/TTS product family as a general-purpose speech-and-translation platform, with similar institutional buyer overlap.
- Google Cloud Translation: Google Cloud Translation / Google Translate is a global broad incumbent offering consumer and API-based neural MT, speech-to-text, and TTS across 100+ languages. Competes with Elia, Aditu, and TTS at the platform layer, though without the same depth of Basque-specific terminology, lexicon, or institutional customization.
Regional players
- Vicomtech: Vicomtech is a Basque applied AI research center with strong NLP and speech capabilities, working on multilingual and Basque language technologies. Direct regional peer to Elhuyar within the ORAI/Basque AI ecosystem, addressing overlapping institutional and enterprise NLP needs.
Direct peers
- DeepL: DeepL is a leading neural machine translation provider offering premium MT APIs and product integrations. Directly comparable to Elhuyar's Elia neural MT service in core technology, delivery model (API + plugins), and target buyer profile of professional translators and enterprises.
- Forvo: Forvo is the largest pronunciation reference platform worldwide and a direct integration partner of Elhuyar's dictionary. Comparable in product (multilingual pronunciation dictionary) and channel (web/API consumer and B2B), with shared user bases in language reference.
- Translated: Translated operates one of the world's largest professional translation networks combined with proprietary MT (Matecat, ModernMT) and a freelance translation platform. Closely comparable to Elhuyar's mix of AI translation, CAT-tool integrations (Wordfast, Trados), and professional translation services.
- Unbabel: Unbabel provides AI-powered, human-refined translation services combining neural MT with post-editing — a model highly analogous to Elhuyar's Elia MT plus native-speaker professional translation services with quality supervision.
Emerging players
- Prompsit Language Engineering: Prompsit is a Spanish MT and NLP provider focused on Romance and regional European languages (Spanish, Catalan, Galician). Closely comparable to Elhuyar Elia's six-language footprint (Basque, Spanish, French, English, Catalan, Galician) and similar niche-language enterprise positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Elhuyar social profiles
Digital presenceElhuyar compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Elhuyar financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Elhuyar leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Elhuyar subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Elhuyar funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Elhuyar M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Elhuyar
What does Elhuyar do?
Elhuyar develops and operates AI-based language technology products for Basque and multilingual support, including the Elia neural machine translation system, Aditu audiovisual transcription and dubbing platform, and Neural TTS voice synthesis service covering six languages. The foundation complements these products with professional translation services, Basque language planning, lexicography and terminology management, scientific dissemination and education programs, equality consulting, and European research project communication, serving public administrations, research organizations, and private companies primarily in the Basque Country.
Is Elhuyar a public or private company?
Elhuyar is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Elhuyar founded?
Elhuyar was founded in 1972. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Elhuyar based?
Elhuyar is headquartered in Usúrbil, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does Elhuyar make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Language Services and Consulting is the primary driver. The others are AI Language Technology Products, science Communication and Education Services, social Transformation Consulting and membership/Sponsorship.
Who are Elhuyar's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lionbridge, RWS Group (formerly SDL), Microsoft Translator / Azure AI and Google Cloud Translation. Vicomtech is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are DeepL, Forvo, Translated and Unbabel. Prompsit Language Engineering is listed as an emerging player.
Does Elhuyar have an API?
Yes. REST API for integrating Elia machine translation and Aditu transcription/subtitling into any application. Elia can be integrated via REST API, Wordfast, Trados Studio, or embedded as a website toolbar. Developer documentation is at elia.eus/info/aplikazioak.
What industry is Elhuyar in?
Elhuyar's product category is Language Technology Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAOAL, Translation, Language Accessibility & Reading Support Tools (e.g., TTS, Captions, Immersive Reader), with a secondary code of EDAFAOAJ, Corporate & Workforce Language Training Platforms. Its NAICS code is 541930 and its SIC code is 7372.