Kaltura Acquires eSelf in $27M Deal, Founded by Snap’s AI Creator

Kaltura, the New York-based enterprise video platform, has acquired eSelf in a deal valued at $27 million. The startup was founded by a former Snap AI creator. The move deepens Kaltura’s push into AI-driven video tools and conversational avatars.

It also signals a wider shift, where video platforms add real-time interactivity to learning and customer experiences. Sources report the deal includes cash and stock, and that Kaltura will fold eSelf’s team into its product groups.

Kaltura strengthens AI video portfolio with eSelf acquisition

Kaltura is known for its cloud video products that serve universities, media brands, and enterprises. The company said the eSelf buy will bring conversational avatars to Kaltura Video Cloud and its learning suite. 

eSelf builds interactive video systems that can reply to viewer questions in real time. For Kaltura, this is not just a feature add; it is a strategic leap into generative AI for video.

Why did Kaltura buy eSelf?
To accelerate AI video capabilities, add conversational avatars, and offer interactive learning at scale to enterprise and education customers.

Who founded eSelf and why it matters

eSelf was started by an engineer who helped build Snap’s AI offerings. That founder brought deep experience in conversational models and user-facing AI. According to coverage, the team focused on turning scripts into lifelike avatars that can show emotion, answer questions, and adapt tone. 

That know how is a clear fit for Kaltura’s customers who need rich training and support videos.

What makes eSelf’s tech special?
eSelf blends context awareness, emotional signals, and real-time response to create avatars that feel natural, rather than static video speakers.

How Kaltura plans to use eSelf technology

Kaltura will integrate eSelf’s avatar engine into its Kaltura Learning Suite and Video Cloud. That will let educators and trainers build AI tutors and interactive presenters without deep video skills. The goal is to reduce production time and cost, while improving learner engagement. 

Kaltura said the combination will let organizations tailor video responses to viewer questions, in multiple languages and at scale.

Who benefits most from this integration?
Universities, corporate training teams, and customer support groups need on-demand, interactive instruction and personalized video experiences.

Financial details and strategic impact

The deal was reported at $27 million, paid in a mix of cash and stock. TechCrunch described the structure as a strategic acquisition to accelerate Kaltura’s roadmap. For Kaltura, the purchase is timely. 

The company has a global client base, and this buy gives it a ready-made AI video product to upsell to existing customers. Analysts see the move as a way for Kaltura to compete with standalone AI video vendors by pairing enterprise-grade infrastructure with advanced generative AI.

Will this change Kaltura’s market stance? Yes. The acquisition positions Kaltura as an enterprise-focused AI video leader, rather than only a cloud video provider. It narrows the gap with AI native rivals.

Integration and product roadmap

Kaltura plans an incremental rollout. First, eSelf features will appear in pilot programs with select education and corporate clients. Then Kaltura will expand avatar use across learning paths, onboarding, and support flows. 

The company highlighted that eSelf’s team will join Kaltura’s R and D groups, ensuring tight product integration and faster iteration. This is a product first acquisition, where customers see value quickly.

Practical use cases

• Education: AI tutors that answer student queries inside lesson videos.
• Training: Simulated instructors who deliver consistent onboarding.
• Support: Video agents that walk customers through product steps.

These scenarios are already in Kaltura’s pipeline, and eSelf supplies the conversational backbone to make them interactive.

Competitive landscape and Kaltura’s advantage

The AI video market includes players focused on consumer tools and creative features. Kaltura’s edge is its enterprise footprint. It already hosts video platforms for universities and Fortune 500 firms. 

Adding eSelf’s avatars leverages that reach. This means Kaltura can scale AI video where reliability, compliance, and integrations matter most. Experts say this combination gives Kaltura a strong product market fit against smaller AI startups and larger suites that lack deep video infrastructure.

Can Kaltura outpace rivals?
With its client base and infrastructure, Kaltura can roll out AI features faster to enterprise buyers than many startups. Success will depend on execution and customer uptake.

Industry reaction and social signals

TechCrunch and Yahoo Finance led the coverage. A TechCrunch post on X highlighted the $27M price and the avatar capability, and industry observers noted the practical impact for learning platforms. 

That social buzz helps signal market interest and may accelerate pilot adoption among Kaltura customers. For credibility, Kaltura quoted its CEO in press coverage explaining the integration will deliver immersive and intelligent experiences at scale.

A TechCrunch post on X summed up the deal: Kaltura acquires eSelf to advance AI video creation and conversational avatars for enterprise learning. This kind of coverage circulated quickly among industry followers.

Media, demos, and further proof points

Product demos and founder interviews are circulating online, and a short demo video gives a clear sense of how avatars perform in real queries. Interested teams can expect to see early showcases in Kaltura webinars and partner events in the months ahead. 

A public demo helps buyers evaluate realism, latency, and content accuracy before rolling to learners or customers.

Final takeaways: what Kaltura gains and what to watch

Kaltura gains a deep conversational AI layer for video. That lets it offer new value to universities, training teams, and support organizations. The $27M bet is small relative to the prize, which is mainstreaming interactive AI video across enterprise workflows. 

What to watch next: pilot results, pricing models for avatar usage, and how fast Kaltura converts pilots into subscriptions. If adoption is smooth, expect faster rollout and a wave of AI-enabled video content in education and corporate learning.

Conclusion

Kaltura’s acquisition of eSelf is a clear signal that AI-driven video is entering mainstream enterprise use. By pairing robust video infrastructure with conversational avatars, Kaltura aims to make interactive video practical and reliable for global customers. 

This deal matters because it links production scale with intelligent interaction, and because the team behind eSelf brings real-world AI experience from Snap. For educators and corporate teams, the future of video just became more responsive, personal, and effective.

Disclaimer

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.