Story of DeepL: Founder and CEO of Dr Jarek Kutylowski
Story of DeepL:
In 2017, a Polish computer scientist named Jaroslaw “Jarek”
Kutylowski set out to solve one of humanity’s greatest challenges—breaking down
language barriers. With a PhD in computer science and years of experience in
the tech industry, Jarek used his deep expertise to establish DeepL, an
AI-powered translation platform. Based in Cologne, Germany, his vision was to
create a tool that could capture not just the literal meaning of words, but the
natural tone and fluency of human conversation.
The Power Behind DeepL
Unlike traditional translators, DeepL works on advanced
neural networks and deep learning models. This technology allows the platform
to produce translations that sound more natural, accurate, and idiomatic.
Millions of users—from individuals to global corporations—use it daily to
translate websites, documents, and even customer communications. Far from being
a simple tool, DeepL is a bridge that enables collaboration across borders and
cultures.
A Mission to Connect the World
DeepL’s mission has always been clear: to eliminate language
as a barrier for connection. This means developing AI that feels human-like in
both written and spoken translations. What makes it powerful is its
versatility—it works on web browsers, apps, and can even be embedded into
company platforms. Whether it’s a university offering online courses or a
railway company coordinating operations, DeepL delivers seamless multilingual
communication.
A Rapid Rise
When Jarek founded DeepL, few could predict its meteoric
success. In just a few years, it grew into one of the world’s most trusted
language AI companies. Today, it supports over 30 languages and serves more
than 100,000 customers from government bodies, enterprises, and educational
institutions. With intuitive design and an easy-to-use API, DeepL quickly
became the go-to solution for businesses seeking efficiency in a globalized
world.
Backed by Big Investors
In May 2024, DeepL secured $300 million in funding at a
valuation of $2 billion. This round, led by Index Ventures with participation
from Iconiq Growth and Teachers’ Venture Growth, marked a turning point for the
company. The substantial investment was aimed at expanding across the US, Asia,
and Latin America, while also fueling innovation in research and commercial
operations. For investors, DeepL represents not only a fast-growing startup but
also a leader in enterprise AI solutions.
Expanding the Team and Reach
Over the past few years, DeepL has doubled its workforce to
nearly 900 employees. The team now spans across offices in Germany, the
Netherlands, Poland, the UK, Japan, and most recently, the United States. This
growth reflects not only its business expansion but also the increasing global
demand for AI-driven translations. Today, clients like Coursera, Deutsche Bahn,
and Zendesk rely on DeepL to manage multilingual communication effectively.
Lessons from Poland’s Tech Scene
Poland has quietly become one of Europe’s strongest tech
hubs. With over 400 R&D centers from companies like Google, Microsoft, and
Samsung, the country nurtures extraordinary engineering talent. In recent
years, AI adoption has surged in Poland, with universities introducing
specialized programs and research groups driving innovation. This thriving
environment played a vital role in shaping entrepreneurs like Jarek Kutylowski
and advanced companies like DeepL.
Story of DeepL: Founder and CEO of Dr Jarek Kutylowski#startup AI#entrepreneur #age#net worth#investor#DeepL AI#net worth#investor#Dr Jarek Kutylowski
A Cultural Impact on AI
Industry leaders have noticed Poland’s impact on AI
globally. Even OpenAI’s early development was fueled by Polish engineers, who
brought technical rigor and innovation to its team. Today, experts like Jakub
Pachocki, a Polish scientist, lead groundbreaking research at OpenAI as its
Chief Scientist. With such contributions, it’s no surprise that Poland has
become a global center of excellence in AI, influencing firms like DeepL to
push boundaries further.
The Investor’s Belief
From an investor’s standpoint, DeepL is more than just a
translation company. It represents the future of AI specialization in
enterprise sectors. As Danny Rimer of Index Ventures explained, broad AI models
will eventually need to become industry-specific, and DeepL has positioned
itself perfectly in this direction. By blending research precision with
practical applications, DeepL offers a blueprint for how machine learning can
transform global business.
Looking Ahead
DeepL’s journey is far from over. With fresh funding, a
growing team, and continuously improving AI models, the company aims to
redefine how the world communicates. Its story is not only one of startup
success but also of cultural connection and technological excellence. From
Poland to the global stage, DeepL proves that innovation backed by vision and
courage can truly make the world feel smaller, more connected, and deeply
understood.
A timeline for the DeepL story:
- 2009:
Linguee was founded by Gereon Frahling, creating a popular multilingual
dictionary and laying the groundwork for future translation technology.
- 2012-2017:
Jaroslaw Kutylowski served as Chief Technology Officer at Linguee, leading
technology development and starting research on neural network
applications for translation.
- 2016:
Development of the first DeepL Translator version began under Kutylowski’s
leadership, applying neural networks to improve translation quality using
Linguee’s dataset.
- August
28, 2017: DeepL Translator officially launched to the public, initially
offering translations between seven European languages.
- December
2018: Support for Portuguese and Russian languages was added; DeepL Pro, a
paid version with API and enhanced features, was introduced.
- July
2019: Jaroslaw Kutylowski became CEO of DeepL GmbH, and the company
started restructuring and expanding.
- September
2019: Translation apps were released for Windows and macOS, allowing
system-wide translation on computers.
- March
2020: Chinese (Simplified) and Japanese were added, marking expansion into
Asian languages; neural network architecture improvements led to better
translation quality.
- March
2021: Thirteen more European languages were added, raising supported
languages to 24.
- May
2022 - September 2022: Support for Indonesian, Turkish, and Ukrainian
languages added.
- January
2023: DeepL reached a valuation of 1 billion euros and became Cologne’s
most valuable startup.
- May
2024: DeepL raised $300 million in funding at a $2 billion valuation to
expand globally, enhance commercial operations, and invest in research.
