source: techcrunch ai: deepl acquires mixhalo for live-event audio streaming and translation
level: business
deepl has bought mixhalo, a startup that streams audio in real time at concerts, sports, and conferences. mixhalo began in 2016 to improve sound at live shows and later added translation features. the company raised over $39 million from investors like founders fund and cowboy ventures. its technology lets attendees hear clear audio and translations on their phones without internet lag.
mixhalo already used deepl as its main translation provider. ceo vik singh said the deal grew from a dinner chat with deepl's cto, where they saw shared goals in events and voice tools. singh noted that many voice ai models entering the market could squeeze smaller players on price, making a larger partner attractive. the acquisition gives deepl a ready-made product for live settings and a way to show its translation quality in noisy, real-world venues.
deepl has been expanding beyond text. it launched voice-to-text translation in 2024 and voice-to-voice for meetings in april 2026. adding mixhalo pushes deepl into live event translation, a space where competitors like worldly ai also operate. deepl plans to open a san francisco office through this deal, growing its us presence. the move signals deepl's shift from a text-focused tool to a broader voice and real-time communication platform.
why it matters: this shows how ai translation is moving from text on screens to live spoken environments, which could change how people attend multilingual events.
source: techcrunch ai: deepl acquires mixhalo for live-event audio streaming and translation