SoftGiant: driving digital accessibility and language innovation in Luxembourg

Making digital information accessible to all is more than a goal – it’s a necessity in a world shaped by digitalisation. SoftGiant, a Luxembourg-based software start-up, is taking bold steps to make this vision a reality.

Founded earlier last year by Uni.lu alumnus Rui Cao and his business partner Hidir Cem Altun, SoftGiant specialises in custom software development and consulting, with a strong focus on digital accessibility. Their mission is clear: to break down barriers that prevent people from accessing information easily. The team partners with public institutions to design digital tools that improve digital accessibility for everyone.

Customised for Luxembourg and compliant

One of the company’s flagship developments is an AI-powered text simplification tool. This software helps organisations transform complicated documents into easy-to-read content by following official guidelines on accessibility. Currently supporting French and German, SoftGiant plans to include Luxembourgish and English in the near future.

Beyond text simplification, SoftGiant’s team is also developing a Luxembourgish text-to-speech engine, addressing a significant gap for visually impaired individuals and language learners. Today, Luxembourgish texts are often read aloud using German engines, resulting in poor pronunciation and comprehension. Rui explains: “Our Luxembourgish text-to-speech engine could greatly improve accessibility for visually impaired people and support education, from audiobooks to language-learning tools.”

Experimentation-based, market-driven

SoftGiant’s story began with experimentation. Rui and his co-founder tested various ideas before discovering their niche through a collaboration that later inspired them to create the company. “We saw a huge demand in this area and very few dedicated suppliers in Luxembourg. That’s when we decided to focus on digital accessibility,” Rui recalls.

Both founders have IT backgrounds. Rui focuses on full-stack development and business administration, while his partner specialises in AI.

SoftGiant is incubated at the University of Luxembourg Incubator, which Rui describes as a key support system: “We are grateful for the University’s help in giving us exposure and connecting us with resources. We even consulted researchers here for feedback on our text simplification software.”

As Rui puts it:

Open for partnerships

While the text simplification tool is already being tested with institutional partners, SoftGiant is looking to collaborate with organisations in Luxembourg—such as those in education, edutech, disability support, or digital accessibility—who could benefit from a Luxembourgish text-to-speech solution and are seeking a technical partner.

Digital accessibility ensures that everyone—regardless of language proficiency or disability—can access and understand information. Rui emphasises: “Accessible language is a big part of digital accessibility. We simplify language for better understanding, and we also convert written language into vocal form for those who cannot read easily.”

This commitment reflects a growing need in Luxembourg, where demand for inclusive digital solutions is high but specialised providers are few. SoftGiant is eager to expand its partnerships: “If you have demands or needs in digital accessibility, we are very open to collaboration—whether you’re in industry or a public institution.”