{"id":56008,"date":"2026-01-12T11:40:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T10:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uni.lu\/en\/?post_type=news&p=56008"},"modified":"2026-01-12T12:12:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T11:12:12","slug":"softgiant-driving-digital-accessibility-and-language-innovation-in-luxembourg","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.uni.lu\/en\/news\/softgiant-driving-digital-accessibility-and-language-innovation-in-luxembourg\/","title":{"rendered":"SoftGiant: driving digital accessibility and language innovation in Luxembourg"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\n \n\"\"\n <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Making digital information accessible to all is more than a goal \u2013 it\u2019s a necessity in a world shaped by digitalisation. SoftGiant<\/a>, a Luxembourg-based software start-up, is taking bold steps to make this vision a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\nCustomised for Luxembourg and compliant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the company\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond text simplification, SoftGiant\u2019s 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: \u201cOur Luxembourgish text-to-speech engine could greatly improve accessibility for visually impaired people and support education, from audiobooks to language-learning tools.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nExperimentation-based, market-driven<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SoftGiant\u2019s 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. \u201cWe saw a huge demand in this area and very few dedicated suppliers in Luxembourg. That\u2019s when we decided to focus on digital accessibility,\u201d Rui recalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both founders have IT backgrounds. Rui focuses on full-stack development and business administration, while his partner specialises in AI<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SoftGiant is incubated at the University of Luxembourg Incubator<\/a>, which Rui describes as a key support system: \u201cWe are grateful for the University\u2019s help in giving us exposure and connecting us with resources. We even consulted researchers here for feedback on our text simplification software.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Rui puts it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n \u201f<\/span>\n Language is just the beginning. We are looking at many other ways to improve digital accessibility in future.\u201d\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n \n\"\"\n <\/figure><\/div>\n\n
\n

Rui CAO<\/p>\n\n\n

Co-owner of SoftGiant<\/p>\n\n

\n \n \n View SoftGiant profile<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/use><\/svg> <\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n

\nOpen for partnerships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the text simplification tool is already being tested with institutional partners, SoftGiant is looking to collaborate with organisations in Luxembourg\u2014such as those in education, edutech, disability support, or digital accessibility\u2014who could benefit from a Luxembourgish text-to-speech solution and are seeking a technical partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital accessibility ensures that everyone\u2014regardless of language proficiency or disability\u2014can access and understand information. Rui emphasises: \u201cAccessible 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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: \u201cIf you have demands or needs in digital accessibility, we are very open to collaboration\u2014whether you\u2019re in industry or a public institution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nMeet the founders<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\n \n

\n<\/h3>\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n\"\"\n <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\nRui CAO<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n \n \n View profile<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/use><\/svg> <\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n \n

\n<\/h3>\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n\"\"\n <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\nHidir Cem Altun<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n \n \n View profile<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/use><\/svg> <\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n \n

\nDiscover also<\/h2>\n\n
    \n
  • \n \n \n \n The Uni.lu Alumni Network <\/span>\n <\/use><\/svg> <\/span>\n <\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \n \n \n \n The Incubator & Entrepreneurship Programme <\/span>\n <\/use><\/svg> <\/span>\n <\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":341,"featured_media":56029,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"featured_image_focal_point":{"x":0.72,"y":0.43},"show_featured_caption":false,"ulux_newsletter_groups":"","uluxPostTitle":"","uluxPrePostTitle":"","_trash_the_other_posts":false,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false},"news-category":[14],"news-topic":[],"organisation":[308,245],"authorship":[341],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSoftGiant: driving digital accessibility and language innovation in Luxembourg - University of Luxembourg<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n