Verbalize It Shark Tank Founder, Net Worth and Investment

Publish date: 2024-05-06

Verbalize It, the language translation company, made a memorable appearance on Shark Tank, the popular TV show where entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to a panel of investors. The founders, Ryan Frankel and Kunal Sarda, both alumni of Wharton Business School, showcased their innovative mobile app that connects travelers with live human translators.

The Verbalize It Shark Tank episode captured the attention of viewers as the founders pitched their unique service, highlighting their 2,000 multilingual translators and the ability to connect customers with a translator within 15 seconds. The pitch resulted in a deal with investor Kevin O’Leary, but ultimately, the founders sought outside investment and sold the company to Smartling.

Verbalize It Shark Tank

Key Takeaways:

About Verbalize It and Its Services

Verbalize It is a company that offers language translation services through its mobile app and website. It aims to bridge communication gaps by connecting users with a network of skilled freelance translators. Whether you need assistance with verbal or written communication, Verbalize It has you covered.

Unlike automated translation services, Verbalize It prioritizes the use of human translators to ensure accurate and nuanced translations. These translators can handle various language nuances, including dialects, accents, and regional slang, delivering a more authentic and contextually appropriate experience.

Verbalize It offers flexible pricing options, charging customers based on the duration or word count of the translation service. This pay-per-minute or pay-per-word model allows users to control their translation costs based on their specific needs.

Since its appearance on Shark Tank, Verbalize It has expanded its services beyond traditional language translation. In addition to verbal and written communication, the company now caters to translation needs for documents, videos, internet content, and even mobile applications. This broader range of services has allowed Verbalize It to cater to a wider audience, further enhancing its impact in breaking down language barriers.

Verbalize It app Shark Tank

Key Features of Verbalize It

The Founders of Verbalize It

Ryan Frankel and Kunal Sarda, both Wharton Business School alumni, are the brilliant minds behind Verbalize It. Their inspiration to create the app stemmed from personal experiences of grappling with language barriers while traveling internationally. Ryan Frankel, formerly a private equity investor at Goldman Sachs, brought valuable financial expertise to the table, while Kunal Sarda’s extensive global exposure, having lived in over 25 countries and fluent in multiple languages, contributed to the development of Verbalize It.

Shared Passion for Breaking Down Language Barriers

United by a shared passion for bridging communication gaps, Ryan Frankel and Kunal Sarda embarked on a mission to make language accessible to everyone. They recognized the challenges faced by individuals when trying to convey their thoughts and connect with others who speak a different language. Verbalize It was born out of their desire to leverage technology to facilitate seamless, real-time language translation. By allowing users to connect with live human translators via their app, Verbalize It aimed to revolutionize communication for individuals worldwide.

“Our vision is to create a world where language barriers are a thing of the past. Verbalize It is the bridge that connects people from different cultures and languages, fostering understanding and enabling meaningful interactions.”

The dedication and determination of Ryan Frankel and Kunal Sarda laid the foundation for Verbalize It’s success in overcoming language barriers and connecting people across the globe.

Verbalize It Founder

Verbalize It on Shark Tank

During their pitch on Shark Tank, Ryan Frankel and Kunal Sarda showcased Verbalize It’s innovative mobile app that connects customers with live translators. Seeking a $250,000 investment, they offered a 15% ownership stake in the company, valuing Verbalize It at $1,666,666.67.

With their app, users can easily access a network of 2,000 multilingual translators via speakerphone, allowing for seamless communication. The entrepreneurs emphasized their ability to connect customers with a translator in just 15 seconds, highlighting the efficiency of their service.

The Sharks were impressed by Ryan and Kunal’s background and the potential of Verbalize It. However, they sought more specific details about the app’s functionality and revenue model.

Despite the questions and requests for further information, all three Sharks – Kevin O’Leary, Mark Cuban, and Robert Herjavec – made offers to invest in Verbalize It. Ultimately, Ryan and Kunal accepted Kevin O’Leary’s offer, securing the partnership and investment they needed to propel their business forward.

Their pitch on Shark Tank marked a significant milestone for Verbalize It, providing them with the exposure and resources necessary to further expand their services and reach a wider audience.

Verbalize It pitch on Shark Tank

Verbalize It Post-Shark Tank

After rejecting Kevin O’Leary’s demands and not closing the Shark Tank deal, Ryan Frankel and Kunal Sarda quickly regrouped and sought outside investment to propel Verbalize It forward. Their determination paid off as they successfully obtained the funding needed to expand their services and take the company to new heights.

Following advice from Mark Cuban, the co-founders made a strategic decision to shift their focus from targeting individual consumers to businesses. This change in direction allowed Verbalize It to tap into a larger market and establish valuable partnerships.

With a renewed vision and increased resources, Verbalize It experienced significant growth in the subsequent years. Their dedication to breaking down language barriers resonated with businesses worldwide, leading to an expanded customer base and increased demand for their services.

Verbalize It’s exceptional performance caught the attention of industry leaders, and in December 2016, the company was acquired by Smartling. The acquisition validated the success and potential of Verbalize It and paved the way for even greater opportunities in the language services industry.

Take a look at the table below for a summary of Verbalize It’s post-Shark Tank journey:

YearKey Milestones
2014Rejected Kevin O’Leary’s offer
2015Secured outside investment
2016Shifted focus to B2B market
2016Acquired by Smartling

Verbalize It update

“Our experience on Shark Tank served as a stepping stone to greater success. While we didn’t close a deal on the show, we remained determined to make Verbalize It a market leader. The strategic decisions we made post-Shark Tank propelled us forward and allowed us to make a lasting impact in the language services industry.”

Verbalize It Net Worth

During their Shark Tank pitch, Ryan Frankel and Kunal Sarda sought a $250,000 investment for a 15% stake in Verbalize It, valuing the company at $1,666,666.67. They accepted Kevin O’Leary’s offer of $250,000 for a 20% stake, resulting in a valuation of $1,250,000.

Verbalize It Net Worth

Verbalize It Competitors

In the competitive landscape of language translation services, Verbalize It faces strong competition from several notable players in the industry. Let’s take a closer look at three key competitors:

One Hour Translation

One Hour Translation is a leading provider of professional translation services. With a network of experienced translators, they offer fast and accurate translations for individuals and businesses. Their focus on efficiency and quality has helped them establish a strong presence in the market.

Gengo

Gengo is a global translation platform that connects users with professional translators. They specialize in website localization, e-commerce translation, and content translation for businesses. By leveraging their extensive network of translators, Gengo offers a scalable solution for translation needs.

Transfluent

Transfluent is a language translation and localization company that caters to businesses of all sizes. They provide translation services for websites, e-commerce platforms, mobile apps, and more. Transfluent aims to streamline the translation process and help companies expand their global reach.

These competitors present formidable challenges to Verbalize It in the language translation services market. However, Verbalize It’s unique approach of connecting users with live human translators sets them apart, offering customers a personalized and reliable translation experience that caters to the nuances of language and culture.

Verbalize It Competitors

CompanySpecialization
One Hour TranslationFast and accurate professional translation services
GengoTranslation for websites, e-commerce, and content
TransfluentLanguage translation and localization for businesses

Verbalize It Founders’ Current Ventures

Following their success and entrepreneurial journey with Verbalize It, Ryan Frankel and Kunal Sarda have ventured into new and exciting projects.

Ryan Frankel, the co-founder of Verbalize It, is currently the CEO of This App Saves Lives. This innovative company focuses on promoting safer driving habits by rewarding drivers who choose not to engage in distracted driving. Through their app, users can track their distraction-free minutes and earn rewards that can be redeemed at various partner stores and establishments. With Ryan’s leadership, This App Saves Lives aims to create a positive impact on road safety and save lives.

Kunal Sarda, the other co-founder of Verbalize It, has founded Arya, a business dedicated to helping flex workforce operators optimize compensation. Arya offers cutting-edge technology solutions designed to streamline compensation processes and ensure fair and efficient payments for workers in flexible employment arrangements. By leveraging data analytics and automation, Arya empowers businesses to enhance their workforce management and create a more satisfying experience for both employers and employees.

As experienced entrepreneurs, Ryan Frankel and Kunal Sarda continue to make waves in their respective industries, bringing their passion for innovation and problem-solving to their current ventures.

Ryan Frankel and Kunal Sarda

Comparison of Ryan Frankel and Kunal Sarda’s Current Ventures

FounderCurrent VentureDescription
Ryan FrankelThis App Saves LivesRewards drivers for choosing not to engage in distracted driving
Kunal SardaAryaHelps flex workforce operators optimize compensation

Verbalize It’s Impact and Future

Verbalize It set out with a mission to break down language barriers and make communication easy and accessible for all. Despite facing challenges and undergoing changes, the company made a significant impact by connecting people around the world.

Through its innovative mobile app and network of freelance translators, Verbalize It facilitated verbal and written communication across different languages, fostering understanding and enabling seamless conversations. By placing emphasis on human translators, Verbalize It ensured that users received accurate and nuanced translations that accounted for dialects, accents, and regional slang.

Although Verbalize It has undergone transformations since its appearance on Shark Tank, its impact on the language service industry remains evident. The company’s commitment to bridging communication gaps has opened doors for global connections and cross-cultural collaboration.

Looking ahead, the founders’ current ventures and entrepreneurial spirit indicate a bright future for the language service industry. Ryan Frankel’s involvement with This App Saves Lives and Kunal Sarda’s establishment of Arya demonstrate their ongoing dedication to problem-solving and innovation. Their continued endeavors in the language service realm are likely to bring forward new solutions that improve communication and facilitate meaningful connections.

Verbalize It future

Key Takeaways:

Verbalize It’s Impact and Future
Verbalize It aimed to break down language barriers and make communication easy and accessible for all.?
The company connected people globally through its mobile app and network of human translators.?
Verbalize It’s impact on the language service industry is evident in its emphasis on accurate and nuanced translations.?
The founders’ current ventures signify a promising future for the industry, with ongoing dedication to problem-solving and innovation.?

Conclusion

Verbalize It’s appearance on Shark Tank and subsequent journey have showcased the challenges and opportunities that entrepreneurs face in their quest for investment and growth. Despite not closing their deal on the show, Ryan Frankel and Kunal Sarda demonstrated their resilience and adaptability by securing outside investment, expanding their services, and ultimately selling the company.

Their success story is a testament to the determination and perseverance required to navigate the dynamic business landscape. Through their innovative language translation services, Verbalize It made a significant impact by connecting people globally and breaking down language barriers.

While their journey took unexpected turns, the founders’ current ventures and continued entrepreneurial spirit indicate promising future endeavors in the language service industry. Verbalize It’s experience on Shark Tank serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of flexibility, tenacity, and the ability to seize opportunities when they arise.

FAQ

What is Verbalize It?

Verbalize It is a company that provides language translation services through a mobile app or website.

How does Verbalize It work?

Verbalize It connects users to a network of freelance translators who can assist with verbal or written communication. Users are charged on a per-minute or per-word basis for the service.

Who founded Verbalize It?

Verbalize It was founded by Ryan Frankel and Kunal Sarda, alumni of Wharton Business School.

How did Verbalize It perform on Shark Tank?

Verbalize It appeared on Shark Tank and pitched their language translation app. While they received offers from multiple sharks, they ultimately did not close a deal on the show.

What happened to Verbalize It after Shark Tank?

After Shark Tank, Verbalize It sought outside investment, expanded their services, and eventually sold the company to Smartling.

What is the net worth of Verbalize It?

The net worth of Verbalize It is undisclosed.

Who are Verbalize It’s competitors?

Verbalize It faces competition from companies like One Hour Translation, Gengo, and Transfluent.

What are the current ventures of the founders of Verbalize It?

Ryan Frankel is currently the CEO of This App Saves Lives, while Kunal Sarda founded Arya.

What impact did Verbalize It make?

Verbalize It aimed to break down language barriers and make communication easy and accessible for all.

What is the outcome of Verbalize It on Shark Tank?

While Verbalize It did not close a deal on Shark Tank, they were able to secure outside investment, expand their services, and sell the company.

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