Cisco Acquires Y Combinator–Backed EzDubs to Power Real-Time AI Translation in Webex

Cisco announced on November 14, 2025, that it will acquire EzDubs, a Y Combinator–backed startup specializing in real-time AI-driven speech translation.

The deal underscores Cisco’s push to integrate advanced voice-preserving translation into its collaboration tools like Webex.

Key details of the acquisition

• Announcement date: November 14, 2025
• Startup: EzDubs, a real-time speech-to-speech translation company
• Backed by: Y Combinator, with $4.2M seed funding led by Venture Highway
• Founders: Padmanabhan Krishnamurthy, Amrutavarsh Kinagi, and Kareem Nassar (who previously worked at Cisco’s Speech AI group)
• Investors: Included Amjad Masad (CEO of Replit), Michele Catasta (President of Replit), Qasar Younis (CEO of Applied Intuition), and Ben Firshman (CEO of Replicate)
• Deal size: Cisco did not disclose the purchase price

Strategic significance

• Voice as the new frontier: Cisco emphasized that voice is becoming the most natural interface for collaboration, and EzDubs’ technology will help break language barriers in real-time.
• Integration into Webex: EzDubs’ translation tech will be embedded into Cisco’s collaboration suite, including video calling, messaging, and hardware.
• Global collaboration: This acquisition aligns with Cisco’s mission to enable seamless communication across languages, making meetings more inclusive and accessible.

Contextual notes

• Founding year: EzDubs was founded in 2023 (not 2022, as some reports may suggest).
• Core technology: Voice-preserving translation that maintains the speaker’s tone and style while translating speech in real time.
• Industry trend: Enterprise platforms are embedding AI-powered translation and speech recognition to compete with Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

Why this matters

Cisco’s acquisition of EzDubs is a strategic bet on AI-driven communication. By integrating real-time translation directly into Webex, Cisco positions itself as a leader in inclusive, global collaboration tools. This could reshape how multinational teams interact, reducing friction in cross-border communication and potentially setting a new standard for enterprise platforms.