Rethinking digital inclusion: Companisto supports alangu
Alexander Stricker (center), CEO of alangu GmbH, at the presentation of the WiNa Tech Award 2025 during the Rhineland Business Night in Cologne | Copyright: Thilo Schmülgen, Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger Medien
Rethinking digital inclusion: Companisto supports alangu in expanding AI-powered sign language translation
Companisto press release, Berlin, November 10, 2025
The Cologne-based startup alangu is developing an AI solution that automatically translates digital content into sign language, creating genuine accessibility online. Through the Companisto Business Angel Network, the startup raised around €400,000, with several co-investors also participating. The funds will be used to further develop the AI-based sign language translation technology and scale it across the European market.
Founded in 2022, alangu offers no-code software that converts written language into German Sign Language via digital avatars, which can be embedded as videos directly on websites. This makes digital content genuinely accessible to deaf people for the first time, and over 175 municipalities are already using the solution. Since its founding, alangu has generated approximately €1 million in revenue.
The societal impact is significant, as sign language is the native language of deaf people, while written text is a foreign language for them. About 80% of deaf individuals struggle to understand written content, since reading is usually taught through spoken language. At the same time, the European Union requires member states to provide digital texts in sign language – initially for public institutions, and since June 2025, also for companies.
With this investment, alangu aims to develop real-time translation, similar to tools like Google Translate or DeepL, allowing avatars to conduct live conversations in sign language. The startup also plans to expand its presence in both the public and private sectors.
"The Companisto Business Angel Network combines capital with experience and passion for innovation. alangu impressively shows how technology enables social progress. Their solution makes digital participation for deaf people a reality", said Tim Weifenbach, Investment Manager at Companisto.
alangu has already established itself as a pioneer in digital accessibility, having appeared on the VOX startup show Die Höhle der Löwen and receiving multiple awards, including the Corporate Digital Responsibility Award 2024 for Digital Wellbeing and Inclusion, the Digital Media Award 2024 for Digital Innovation, and the EU’s Seal of Excellence for outstanding high-tech innovation. Most recently, the startup received the WiNa Tech Award 2025 from the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger Medien for its AI-powered sign language translation.
"The successful completion of the first funding round on Companisto demonstrates the strong interest in digital inclusion. We are thrilled by the trust and support of the Companisto community, which not only provides funding but also shares and actively contributes to our vision of a barrier-free digital world", said Alexander Stricker, CEO of alangu GmbH.
About alangu
alangu GmbH stands for digital inclusion through artificial intelligence. The Cologne-based high-tech company develops a translation platform that renders text in sign language via a realistic 3D avatar, making websites, media content, and digital applications accessible to deaf individuals. In close collaboration with the deaf community and leading research institutions, alangu is creating technology that breaks down barriers and redefines social participation.
About Companisto
Companisto is the leading private investor network in the D-A-CH region and has been a top venture capital provider for startups for seven consecutive years. To date, Companisto has invested approximately €310.3 million in over 445 funding rounds across all company stages.
The focus is on young, technology-driven companies that offer sustainable value. Since 2018, Companisto has expanded its network with a primarily digital Business Angel Club, consisting of around 5,500 business angels and high-net-worth investors who invest starting from €10,000 in equity.
The investment process, including due diligence, subscription, and participation management, is fully digital. Through shared voting rights representation by Companisto, all investors act as a reliable and responsive unit towards the companies.
The Companisto press release with all current information is available on the Companisto website for reading, sharing, and archiving, and to learn more about alangu:
More: wirtschaftsnacht-rheinland.de and ksta.de/wirtschaft/wirtschaftsnacht-rheinland
Also interesting: alangu.de/en/news/alangu-wins-rhineland-business-night-award-2025
Copyright: Thilo Schmülgen, Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger Medien