Translation Services USA
Translation Services USA is a New York-based translation technology company that combines conventional language services with online translation platforms.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Translation Services USA is a translation technology company founded in 2002 by Alex Buran in Brooklyn, New York. The business began under the name LeoSam and later adopted the Translation Services USA identity as it expanded its language-service activities. It subsequently placed greater emphasis on software, online platforms, and technology-assisted translation, while continuing to provide traditional translation services. The company developed several web-based projects associated with translation workflows. Ackuna, launched in 2011, was designed as a crowdsourced translation platform for mobile and desktop application developers. The service differentiated itself from conventional paid translation marketplaces by allowing developers to submit work without a direct platform charge and by relying on a network of freelance and volunteer translators. In April 2013, the platform was reported to have approximately 6,000 registered translators. Another project, TranslationCloud.net, was introduced in 2011 as a related service offering a hybrid approach to translation. It enabled freelance translators to review and correct machine-generated translations, with the aim of reducing the time and cost associated with fully manual translation. The platform included both a user-facing interface and an application programming interface for developers, reflecting the company’s effort to make translation functionality available within software products and online workflows. The company also created Bad Translator, a novelty translation website intended to highlight the awkward or humorous results that can arise from repeated automated translation. The project originally operated under the name Funny Translator and was later hosted through Ackuna. It served a promotional and entertainment role rather than representing a core enterprise language-service offering. Translation Services USA temporarily used the Translation Cloud identity in 2011, reflecting its shift toward translation technology. Its offices moved from Brooklyn to Jersey City in 2012 and then to One World Trade Center in 2017. In December 2012, the company received an Inc. 500 Hire Power Award. Publicly available reference material provides limited information about its ownership, financial performance, leadership beyond its founder, and current product portfolio. Accordingly, the brand is best characterized as a privately held language-services and translation-technology business with a history of experimentation in crowdsourcing, machine-translation post-editing, and developer-oriented tools.
History
Translation Services USA was established in 2002 by Alex Buran in Brooklyn, New York. The company initially operated as LeoSam before adopting the Translation Services USA name. Its early business combined conventional translation work with the development of online language-service capabilities. During the early 2010s, the company increasingly emphasized translation technology. In 2011, it temporarily rebranded as Translation Cloud and launched two related online projects. Ackuna was built as a crowdsourced translation platform for developers of mobile and desktop applications. Rather than charging users in the manner of a conventional translation agency or marketplace, Ackuna relied on freelance and volunteer translators. The platform was reported to have roughly 6,000 registered translators by April 2013. TranslationCloud.net, also created in 2011, pursued a hybrid model in which freelance translators reviewed machine-translated text. This approach was intended to combine the speed and lower cost of automated translation with human quality control. The service offered a standard web interface as well as an API, allowing developers to incorporate translation functionality into their own products or workflows. The company also operated Bad Translator, a novelty project originally called Funny Translator. It demonstrated the distortions produced by automated translation systems, often by repeatedly translating text through multiple languages. The project was later hosted on Ackuna and functioned primarily as an experimental or entertainment-oriented web property. Translation Services USA’s corporate identity and physical presence changed during this period. Although the company’s headquarters are associated with New York City, its office moved to Jersey City in 2012 and later to One World Trade Center in 2017. In December 2012, it received an Inc. 500 Hire Power Award. The available reference material does not establish detailed information about later ownership, revenue, staffing, acquisitions, or the current status of each online project. The documented history nevertheless shows a company evolving from a traditional translation provider into a business focused on crowdsourcing, machine-translation assistance, online platforms, and developer-facing language technology.
- 2017
Office moves to One World Trade Center
[1]The company moved its office to One World Trade Center in New York City.
- 2012
Office moves to Jersey City
[1]Translation Services USA moved its headquarters or office operation to a new location in Jersey City.
- 2012
Inc. 500 Hire Power Award
[1]The company received an Inc. 500 Hire Power Award in December.
- 2011
Temporary Translation Cloud rebrand and platform launches
[1]The company temporarily adopted the Translation Cloud identity and launched Ackuna and TranslationCloud.net as online translation initiatives.
- 2002
Company founded in Brooklyn
[1]Alex Buran founded the business in Brooklyn, New York, initially under the name LeoSam.
Products and positioning
A translation-services and language-technology provider positioned around online platforms, crowdsourced translation, hybrid human-machine workflows, and developer-accessible translation tools.
Crowdsourced translation platform · 2011
Ackuna
Ackuna is an online crowdsourced translation platform launched in 2011 for mobile and desktop application developers. Its model was designed to avoid direct platform charges for translation submissions and instead use a network of freelance and volunteer translators. The service was reported to have approximately 6,000 registered translators in April 2013. Ackuna also later hosted the Bad Translator novelty project.
Hybrid translation platform and API · 2011
TranslationCloud.net
TranslationCloud.net was created in 2011 as a related platform for hybrid translation. It allowed freelance translators to proofread and improve machine-generated text, seeking to balance automated processing with human review. The service provided a conventional interface for users and an API for developers, making it suitable for both direct translation requests and integration into software applications.
Novelty translation website
Bad Translator
Bad Translator is a novelty project that illustrates the comic or distorted results produced by automated translation systems. It was originally launched under the name Funny Translator and was later hosted on Ackuna. The project was intended primarily as an experiment and entertainment feature rather than as a professional translation product.
Language services · 2002
Traditional translation services
Alongside its technology projects, Translation Services USA has provided conventional translation services. The available reference material does not specify the full language coverage, specialist sectors, delivery formats, or current scope of this offering.
Brand decisions
2011
Shift toward translation technologyStrategyBackground
The business moved beyond its earlier traditional translation identity and began emphasizing online platforms and translation technology.
Action taken
It temporarily used the Translation Cloud name and developed Ackuna and TranslationCloud.net.
Aftermath
The documented projects established a portfolio spanning crowdsourced translation, machine-translation review, and developer APIs.
2011
Launch of AckunaProduct launchBackground
Application developers needed access to translation support for mobile and desktop software.
Action taken
Translation Services USA launched Ackuna as a crowdsourced translation platform using freelance and volunteer translators.
Aftermath
Ackuna later reported approximately 6,000 registered translators and became the host for Bad Translator.
2011
Launch of TranslationCloud.netProduct launchBackground
The company sought to combine automated translation speed with human quality review.
Action taken
It created TranslationCloud.net, enabling freelance translators to proofread machine-translated text and offering an API for developers.
Aftermath
The project expanded the company’s technology-oriented offering, although later operating details are not established by the available sources.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/translation-services-usa · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled