DFKI spin-off alangu makes digital content accessible

With the Barrier-Free Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) coming into force on June 28, 2025, private companies in Germany are, for the first time, legally required to make their digital offerings accessible.
alangu, a spin-off from the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and born from the BMFTR-funded AVASAG project, enables people with hearing impairments to access websites, videos, and digital services in German Sign Language (DGS) – in real time, at scale, and in compliance with data protection standards.

Experienced Founding Team
The founding team combines years of expertise in AI research, avatar technology, and inclusive education:
CEO Alexander Stricker, CTO Norbert Helff, Prof. Dr. Elisabeth André (University of Augsburg), and DFKI scientist Dr. Patrick Gebhard work closely with Deaf experts to develop a user-centered platform.
The technology builds on insights from AVASAG and other DFKI projects and is being continuously improved.

New Solutions to Empower Deaf Users
More than 140 companies and public institutions – from municipalities and hospitals to museums, job centers, and SMEs – already rely on the alangu platform.

In July 2025, alangu will launch new modules specifically for e-commerce, enabling full sign language translation of digital forms, order processes, and customer communication.
The alangu solution not only fulfills the digital accessibility standards defined by the upcoming BFSG law – it goes far beyond, empowering Deaf users with greater autonomy.

Recognized Innovation
For its pioneering work, alangu has received numerous awards, including the Seal of Excellence from the European Commission (EIC Accelerator Program), the Digital Media Award 2024 for Best Innovation, and the Corporate Digital Responsibility Award from BVDW and Bayern Innovativ.

Impact Investment Round Now Open
alangu is currently opening an impact investment round via Companisto for private and institutional investors. The funding will support international scaling, the expansion of the DGS language corpus, and the development of new applications for real-time translation – including critical announcements at train stations and airports, in emergencies, and during live events.
In addition, alangu plans to integrate sign language recognition, enabling true two-way communication.

With cutting-edge AI avatars, strong involvement from the Deaf community, and "Made in Germany" quality, alangu stands for genuine digital inclusion – making AI truly accessible to all.

Contacts

alangu:
Alexander Stricker
CEO alangu GmbH
stricker@alangu.de 

DFKI:
Dr. Patrick Gebhardt
DFKI Research Fellow
patrick.gebhardt@dfki.de

Press contact DFKI:
Andreas Schepers
Co-Company Spokesperson
andreas.schepers@dfki.de

Further Information:

alangu-Website: alangu.de

Sign Language Avatar Toolkit: gebaerdensprach-avatar.de