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Company Profile

VOISEED S.R.L.

VOISEED S.R.L. Advances AI Dubbing Solutions with EIC Accelerator Funding and New Investment Partnerships

ItalyEIC Accelerator2021

Table of Contents

  1. The EIC Accelerator Project
  2. The Funding Rounds
  3. The Press Releases
  4. The Technology Advancements
  5. The Partnerships and Customers
  6. The Hiring and Company Growth
  7. The Media Features and Publications

1 The EIC Accelerator Project

EIC Accelerator Program Overview

The EIC (European Innovation Council) Accelerator program is part of the EU’s Horizon Europe initiative aimed at supporting innovative startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with high potential for growth. It specifically targets DeepTech and breakthrough innovations that can significantly impact the market and address societal challenges. The program provides a combination of grant funding and equity investment, enabling businesses to develop and scale their cutting-edge technologies.

Funding Structure of the EIC Accelerator

1. Grant Component: The EIC Accelerator offers grants of up to €2.5 million. This funding is designed to cover the costs associated with bringing innovative projects from the prototype stage to market readiness. The grant supports various activities, including research and development, prototyping, testing, and scaling up production.
2. Equity Component: In addition to grants, the EIC Accelerator provides equity funding. This can amount to up to €15 million until the end of 2024, and will be reduced to a maximum of €10 million from 2025 onwards. The equity investment is structured as a convertible loan or direct equity stake, allowing the EIC to share in the future success of the company. This funding aims to help companies attract additional private investment by demonstrating a solid financial backing from a reputable source.

Purpose in the European DeepTech and Startup Ecosystem

The EIC Accelerator program plays a crucial role in the European startup ecosystem by:

  • Nurturing Innovation: It focuses on high-risk, high-reward projects that might struggle to secure funding through traditional avenues. This is especially important in the DeepTech sector, where long development cycles and high initial costs can deter private investors.
  • Creating Market Leaders: By supporting innovative startups, the program aims to foster the next generation of market leaders in technology, thus enhancing Europe’s position in the global innovation landscape.
  • Addressing Societal Challenges: The EIC Accelerator encourages projects that tackle pressing societal issues, including climate change, health, and digital transformation, aligning with the EU’s broader goals for sustainable development.

Role in Scaling and Attracting Private Funding

The EIC Accelerator helps companies scale by providing not only financial support but also strategic guidance and access to a network of investors and partners. By validating the technology and the business model through its rigorous selection process, the EIC enables startups to leverage its reputation to attract further investments from private sectors. This increases investor confidence and can significantly enhance a startup's visibility in the marketplace.

Summary of EIC Accelerator Winner: VOISEED S.R.L.

  • Company Name: VOISEED S.R.L.
  • Project Acronym: ETTS (Expressive Text-To-Speech)
  • Description: VOISEED is developing an innovative platform for Expressive Text-To-Speech technology, which allows for the creation of emotionally resonant virtual voices. This technology can be applied in various domains, including virtual assistants, audiobooks, gaming, and more, enhancing user experience through more human-like interactions.
  • Funding Type: Blended finance, which includes both grant and equity components.
  • Website: voiseed.com
  • Country: Italy
  • Submission Date for Step 2 Proposal: June 16, 2021

Technology Basics and Background of ETTS

The ETTS platform by VOISEED leverages advanced machine learning algorithms and deep neural networks to generate synthesized speech that mimics human emotions and intonations. Traditional Text-To-Speech (TTS) systems often produce robotic-sounding voices that can lack emotional depth. In contrast, the ETTS platform seeks to create voices that can convey sadness, joy, anger, and other emotions, enhancing the interaction quality between users and digital platforms.

Key Technologies Involved:

1. Deep Learning: The ETTS platform employs deep learning techniques to train models on vast datasets of human speech, allowing it to capture the nuances of voice modulation and emotional expression.
2. Natural Language Processing (NLP): NLP algorithms help the system understand textual context, enabling the generation of speech that is not only syntactically correct but also emotionally appropriate.
3. Voice Cloning: The technology may also incorporate voice cloning capabilities, allowing users to create personalized voices that sound like specific individuals, further enhancing the user experience.
4. Real-time Processing: The platform aims for real-time voice generation, making it suitable for applications where immediate interaction is crucial, such as virtual assistants and customer service bots.

Conclusion

The EIC Accelerator program is a pivotal initiative in fostering innovation within the European DeepTech ecosystem. By providing both grant and equity funding, it helps startups like VOISEED S.R.L. to scale their groundbreaking technologies, such as the ETTS platform, which has the potential to redefine human-computer interaction through emotionally intelligent voice synthesis. This support not only benefits individual companies but also contributes to the broader objective of enhancing Europe’s leadership in technological innovation.

2 The Funding Rounds

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on June 16, 2021, Voiseed S.R.L., an Italian startup specializing in AI-driven speech synthesis, has secured additional funding to advance its mission of revolutionizing the dubbing industry.

Funding Rounds:

  • February 2023: Voiseed secured a €1 million investment led by Evergreen Venture Capital Holding LIFTT, with participation from the European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund). This seed funding aims to enhance Voiseed's AI Universal voice model and proprietary emotional dataset, facilitating the development of their product, Revoiceit—a scalable AI dubbing solution capable of crafting any voice and controlling any style in multiple languages. (voiseed.com)

    • Investor Information:

    • LIFTT: A venture capital firm led by Stefano Buono, serving as the lead investor in the February 2023 funding round. (thefoodmakers.startupitalia.eu)
    • EIC Fund: The investment arm of the European Innovation Council, which has been involved in supporting Voiseed's growth through its funding initiatives. (voiseed.com)

    Company Valuations:

    Specific valuation figures for Voiseed are not publicly disclosed. However, the €1 million seed funding in February 2023 indicates a valuation that reflects the company's growth and the strategic value perceived by investors.

    In summary, since the EIC Accelerator funding in June 2021, Voiseed has successfully attracted additional investment, notably a €1 million seed round in February 2023, to further develop its innovative AI dubbing solutions.

    3 The Press Releases

    Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on June 16, 2021, Voiseed S.R.L. has published several press releases detailing their advancements, partnerships, and product developments. Below is a summary of these press releases:

    1. €1 Million Investment Secured (February 7, 2023): Voiseed announced securing a €1 million investment from Evergreen Venture Capital Holding LIFTT and the European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund). This funding aims to enhance their AI Universal voice model and proprietary emotional dataset, supporting the development of their AI dubbing solution, Revoiceit. The investment is expected to accelerate the expansion of their "Voice as a Service" platform, enabling broader language offerings. (voiseed.com)

    2. Appointment of Dr. Páraic Sheridan to Board of Directors (September 14, 2023): Voiseed appointed Dr. Páraic Sheridan to its Board of Directors, effective September 4, 2023. Dr. Sheridan brings over three decades of experience in Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing, having co-founded Iconic Translation Machines Ltd. and led its acquisition by RWS Group in 2020. His expertise is expected to bolster Voiseed's strategic direction and product development. (multilingual.com)

    3. Partnership with OOONA to Launch AI Speech Editing Course (January 28, 2025): Voiseed partnered with OOONA to introduce the "Introduction to AI Speech Editing" course on the OOONA EDU platform. This course addresses the growing demand for professionals skilled in AI-powered dubbing workflows, focusing on editing techniques for prosody, phonemization, pronunciation, and reading pace. The collaboration aims to equip language professionals with essential skills for AI speech editing. (videoproduction.news)

    4. Enhanced Features in Revoiceit Platform (December 17, 2024): Voiseed unveiled new features in their Revoiceit platform, including Source Emotion Detection and Transfer, Video Mixing, and Integration with Machine Translation. These enhancements aim to improve audio authenticity, workflow efficiency, and support content creators and localization service providers in delivering high-quality projects globally. The updates are designed to streamline audio and video production processes. (gala-global.org)

    5. Participation in GALA 2024 Conference (May 8, 2024): Voiseed actively participated in the GALA Conference, hosting a booth and leading the Audiovisual Special Interest Group (SIG) Unconference. CEO Andrea Ballista and Professor Carlo Eugeni addressed challenges in content production and explored how AI is reshaping workflows. Chief Strategy Officer Páraic Sheridan presented on "Voicing the Unvoiced: AI Dubbing Presents New Opportunities for LSPs," highlighting how AI dubbing can streamline multilingual content production. (voiseed.com)

    These press releases reflect Voiseed's ongoing efforts to innovate in the AI dubbing industry, expand their technological capabilities, and foster strategic partnerships to enhance their offerings.

    4 The Technology Advancements

    Voiseed S.R.L., founded in 2020 and headquartered in Milan, Italy, specializes in AI-driven speech synthesis. Their flagship product, Revoiceit, is an AI dubbing solution that crafts any voice and controls any style in any language, aiming to revolutionize the dubbing industry by enhancing scalability and emotional resonance in virtual voices. (voiseed.com)

    Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on June 16, 2021, Voiseed has made significant advancements:

    • Technological Enhancements: In December 2024, Voiseed released Revoiceit v3.1, introducing advanced audio and localization features, and in October 2024, they unveiled xpressive, a patented speech technology that boosts emotions in AI voice generation. (voiseed.com)
    • Market Demonstrations: Voiseed participated as an exhibitor at LocWorld#51 in June 2024, showcasing their technology to a broader audience. (voiseed.com)
    • Educational Initiatives: In January 2025, Voiseed and OOONA launched an AI Speech Editing course, equipping language professionals with essential skills for AI-powered localization. (voiseed.com)

    Regarding intellectual property, there is no publicly available information indicating that Voiseed has filed new patents or published scientific studies, clinical trials, or whitepapers since their EIC Accelerator funding.

    5 The Partnerships and Customers

    Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on June 16, 2021, Voiseed S.R.L. has achieved significant milestones, including securing a €1 million investment in February 2023. This funding was led by Evergreen Venture Capital Holding LIFTT, with participation from the European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund). (voiseed.com)

    New Partners:

    • Evergreen Venture Capital Holding LIFTT: As the lead investor, LIFTT has provided substantial financial backing to Voiseed, facilitating the company's growth and technological advancements. (voiseed.com)
    • European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund): The EIC Fund's participation underscores its commitment to supporting innovative European startups, aligning with its mission to foster technological advancements and market competitiveness. (voiseed.com)

    New Customers:

    Specific details about new customers acquired by Voiseed post-funding are not publicly disclosed. However, the company's innovative AI-driven dubbing solutions have likely attracted interest from various sectors within the entertainment industry, including video games, media, e-learning, and advertising. (voiseed.com)

    Nature and Purpose of New Relationships:

    The investment from LIFTT and the EIC Fund is intended to accelerate the development of Voiseed's proprietary technology, particularly its AI Universal voice model and emotional dataset. This support aims to enhance the scalability and expressiveness of Voiseed's AI dubbing solutions, enabling the company to offer "Voice as a Service" to a broader range of industries. (voiseed.com)

    Market Positioning:

    The strategic partnership with LIFTT and the EIC Fund positions Voiseed as a leading innovator in the AI-driven dubbing industry. The financial backing and strategic support from these investors bolster Voiseed's market presence, allowing the company to expand its offerings and reach a global audience. (voiseed.com)

    Technology Advancements and Scaling:

    The investment enables Voiseed to enhance its AI Universal voice model and emotional dataset, leading to more natural and emotionally resonant virtual voices. This technological advancement is crucial for scaling Voiseed's "Voice as a Service" platform, allowing the company to support a wider array of languages and styles, thereby meeting the diverse needs of its clients across various sectors. (voiseed.com)

    In summary, the partnerships and investments secured by Voiseed since June 2021 have significantly contributed to its technological advancements and market expansion, positioning the company as a key player in the AI-driven dubbing industry.

    6 The Hiring and Company Growth

    Voiseed S.R.L., an Italian startup specializing in AI-driven voice dubbing solutions, has demonstrated significant growth and strategic developments since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding in June 2021.

    Current Team Size and Hiring Status:

    Specific details regarding Voiseed's current headcount are not publicly disclosed. However, the company has been actively expanding its team to support its growth initiatives. In February 2023, Voiseed secured an additional €1 million investment from Evergreen Venture Capital Holding LIFTT and the European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund). This funding is intended to accelerate the development of their proprietary technology and expand their language offerings for the "Voice as a Service" platform. (voiseed.com)

    Growth and Key Hires:

    While specific information about recent key hires is not publicly available, the substantial investment and strategic partnerships indicate a focus on scaling operations and enhancing technological capabilities. The leadership team includes CEO Andrea Ballista, COO Luca Dell'Orto, and CTO Lorenzo Tarantino, who bring a blend of audio localization experience and expertise in generative AI technologies. (multilingual.com)

    Impact of New Team Members:

    The recent investments and strategic focus suggest that Voiseed is positioning itself to revolutionize the dubbing industry by offering scalable and expressive AI voice solutions. The expansion of their team and technological capabilities is expected to enhance their ability to serve the video game market and other entertainment sectors, thereby supporting the company's growth and scalability.

    Management Changes:

    There are no publicly available reports indicating major changes in Voiseed's management or founding team since the EIC Accelerator funding in June 2021.

    In summary, Voiseed S.R.L. has been actively expanding its team and capabilities since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding, positioning itself for significant growth in the AI-driven voice dubbing industry.

    7 The Media Features and Publications

    Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on June 16, 2021, Voiseed S.R.L. has been featured in various media outlets and has participated in several industry events. Below is a summary of their media coverage, publications, podcasts, conferences, and event involvements:

    Media Features and Publications:

    • MultiLingual Magazine (October 21, 2021): An article titled "New speech-to-speech tech company in running for $3 million grant" highlighted Voiseed's innovative approach to audio localization and their selection for the EIC Accelerator program. (multilingual.com)
    • Voiseed's Official Blog:
    • LocWorld#51 (June 27, 2024): Voiseed's participation as an exhibitor at LocWorld#51 in Dublin was detailed, showcasing their latest features of Revoiceit and their role in the Process Innovation Challenge. (voiseed.com)
    • GALA Conference 2024 (May 8, 2024): The company's active participation in the GALA Conference, including hosting a booth and leading the Audiovisual Special Interest Group Unconference, was discussed. (voiseed.com)
    • Partnership with RWS (May 31, 2024): An announcement about Voiseed being chosen as a provider for AI voices by RWS, a global leader in the localization industry. (voiseed.com)

    Podcasts and Interviews:

  • The Week in Italian Startup Podcast (February 15, 2023): Voiseed was featured in an episode discussing generative AI, highlighting their contributions to the field. (podcastrepublic.net)

    • Conferences and Events:

    • LocWorld#51 (June 2024): Voiseed participated as an exhibitor, presenting the latest features of Revoiceit and engaging in the Process Innovation Challenge. (voiseed.com)
    • GALA Conference 2024 (May 2024): The company hosted a booth, led the Audiovisual Special Interest Group Unconference, and presented a session on AI dubbing opportunities for language service providers. (voiseed.com)
    • Partnership with RWS (May 2024): Voiseed announced a strategic partnership with RWS to provide AI voice solutions for the localization industry. (voiseed.com)

    Event Involvement:

    • LocWorld#51 (June 2024): Voiseed's Chief Strategy Officer, Páraic Sheridan, served as a judge in the Process Innovation Challenge, evaluating innovative proposals to revolutionize localization processes. (voiseed.com)
    • GALA Conference 2024 (May 2024): CEO Andrea Ballista participated in a panel discussion titled "Exploring the Future of A/V Localisation: AI, Augmented Translators, and Cutting-edge Technologies in Multimedia Localisation," sharing insights on leveraging technologies to improve dubbing efficiency. (voiseed.com)

    These engagements highlight Voiseed's active role in advancing AI-driven solutions for the localization industry and their commitment to innovation and collaboration.

    EIC Accelerator Winner - 2021