

How it all started
Signapse is building technology for tomorrow that answers the needs of today.
We are a strong team of successful entrepreneurs, leading AI researchers, and sign language translation experts.
We came together during lockdown, looking for a solution to the eternal cry from hearing clients and Deaf contacts of “how do I get this interpreted, right now?" and “why can’t I have access to what is being said?”. We were also aware that we needed to do it right at a fundamental level in terms of cultural and linguistic awareness.
What do we believe in?
This means striving for Deaf leadership, partnering with Deaf organisations and seeing inclusion and equality as a global issue to be tackled. It also means recognition of sign language users as a diverse community with different versions of sign language and cultures.
This means clarity in communication, excellent quality of product and delivery. Clients trust that we will deliver and that everyone has high expectations of all the team.
We are unique and the best in the globe. This means doing everything as fast as possible and always coming up with new ways of improving processes either for internal working and to delight our clients.
This means taking ownership, saying “Thank You”, fixing problems, realising that the contributions of all people are equal, working ethically, using our language with care, being punctual, communicating when there are issues. We are transparent and work with integrity.
We capture and share information accurately, using digital tools and with honesty to clients. Remote working has challenges and we make sure staff are comfortable and have all the tools that they need. We are always specific in our language and our goals with no hot air.
Awards
Signapse is revolutionising the field with its breakthrough advancements in sign language translation technology.
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Transformational Project Award (G&L Partnership)
IAMT Impact Awards
2026 - Winner
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Innovative Solution Award
Zero Project Awards
2026 - Winner

Most Innovative AI-Powered Sign Language Accessibility Platform
Corporate Vision Technology Excellence Awards
2026 - Winner

Accessibility and Integrated Transport
Rail Business Awards
2026 - Winner

Zinemaldia Startup Challenge
Zinemaldia & Technology
2025 - European Finalist

IAGi Accelerator
IAGi
2025 - Winner

The 2025 Slator Language AI 50 Under 50
Slator
2025 - Winner

Supporting Disability Award
Bupa eco-disruptive
2025 - Shortlist

Diversity in Technology (Disability)
British Diversity Awards
2024 - Highly Commended

Disability Smart Technology
Disability Smart Awards
2023 - Finalist

AI for Good Award
Tech4Good Awards
2023 - Finalist

Innovator of the Year - Ben Saunders
University of Surrey Vice-Chancellor's Awards
2022 - Winner

Start-Up of the Year
Surrey Business Awards
2022- Winner
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Transformational Project Award (G&L Partnership)
IAMT Impact Awards
2026 - Winner
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Innovative Solution Award
Zero Project Awards
2026 - Winner

Most Innovative AI-Powered Sign Language Accessibility Platform
Corporate Vision Technology Excellence Awards
2026 - Winner

Accessibility and Integrated Transport
Rail Business Awards
2026 - Winner

Zinemaldia Startup Challenge
Zinemaldia & Technology
2025 - European Finalist

IAGi Accelerator
IAGi
2025 - Winner

The 2025 Slator Language AI 50 Under 50
Slator
2025 - Winner

Supporting Disability Award
Bupa eco-disruptive
2025 - Shortlist

Diversity in Technology (Disability)
British Diversity Awards
2024 - Highly Commended

Disability Smart Technology
Disability Smart Awards
2023 - Finalist

AI for Good Award
Tech4Good Awards
2023 - Finalist

Innovator of the Year - Ben Saunders
University of Surrey Vice-Chancellor's Awards
2022 - Winner

Start-Up of the Year
Surrey Business Awards
2022- Winner
Who are we?
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Chief Executive Officer
Sally Chalk





Chief Scientist
Ben Saunders





Chief Research Officer
Prof. Richard Bowden





Head of Translation and Data
Rachel Benyon (Deaf)





Chief Experience Officer
Travis Dougherty (Deaf)





Chief Revenue Officer
Will Berry





Chief Technical Officer
Alex Le Peltier





Head of Commercial
Leia Clancy





Head of Marketing
Stacey Searle





Interim Head of Marketing
Kate Harverson





Product Manager
Zoe Hurst





Machine Learning Engineer
Edmund Lepre (Deaf)
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Deaf Translator
Rebecca Vaughan (Deaf)





Head of Projects
Peter Whale





Deep Learning Research Engineer
Basheer Alwaely





Deaf Leadership Board
Craig Crowley (Deaf)





Deaf Impact Officer
Marcus Oaten (Deaf)





Deaf Leadership Board
Marcel Hirshman (Deaf)





Delivery Manager
Rachael Mahachi





Digital Marketing Executive
Chloe Tsang





Videographer & Social Media Assistant
Rowan Warnock (Deaf)





Front End Engineer
Alexandru Balau





Head of Translation (ASL)
Elsie Stecker





DevOps Engineer
Michael Wilson





Computer Vision Research Engineer
Alexandre Symeonidis-Herzig





Computer Vision Research Engineer
Nikolina Kubiak





Lead QA Tester
Ibraheem Raji





Back End Developer
Olly King
Help us make sign language accessible for anyone.
We have some great laughs and are dedicated to delighting our clients. Why not join us?
Investment Board members
Pearse Coyle
Mark Wheatley
Noah Isserman
Michal Sikyta
Johnathan Matlock
Paul Lyristis

Get involved with us
We are seeking forward-thinking clients that aim to build the next generation of access for sign language users.
We value working with those who want to be part of the future of equality and are keen to improve operational efficiency. If you would like to transform accessibility for sign language users at your business, please book a demo with us.









Partnerships
We share values; peerless quality of service and clarity of vision that includes cultural and linguistic ownership of sign by the Deaf Community.
Our UK partners are helping us make the world more accessible for d/Deaf communities.





















