What happens when a media pioneer steps back from one success and dives headfirst into another? In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sat down with Andrew Smart, Co-Founder of Slator (www.slator.com) and Strategic Partner at AcudocX (https://acudocx.com.au/) for a raw, revealing look at the present and future of localization.
From selling his stake in Slator to investing in next-gen translation tech, Andrew didn’t hold back. Whether you’re a language industry veteran or a tech-savvy entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with strategic insights, untold backstories, and bold predictions.
👉 Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/rE2IdDLr1pc
🔍 From Hawaii to Slator: The Unlikely Path of a Media Entrepreneur
Raised in multicultural Hawaii, Andrew Smart caught the international business bug early. But his journey to co-founding one of the localization industry’s most influential media companies wasn’t a straight line. It involved pivots from equity trading in Asia to web design in London to publishing legal media with Thomson Reuters.
“I was just trying to use my skills as an analyst to understand business,” he shared, describing the early days of what would eventually become Slator. It all started with a clever content marketing play in China and a strategic partnership with CLS Communication that leveraged translated magazine content to open doors with law firms.
That door would eventually swing wide open to the global language industry.
🏢 Why Andrew Is Selling His Shares in Slator?
In a surprising but calculated move, Andrew revealed during the episode that he’s selling his shares in Slator. Why? Because the company is ready for its next chapter with or without him.
“There are investors out there who’ve built and sold businesses in the language industry for tens of millions,” Andrew said. “Slator’s got all four legs of the business running. It’s time to let it grow further.”
This moment marks a turning point for Slator, a brand synonymous with trusted news, research, and events in localization (visit www.slator.com). It’s also a call to potential buyers who want a stake in the future of global communication.
🚀 Enter AcudocX: Fixing the Fragmented World of Certified Translations
Andrew’s not slowing down. His next focus is AcudocX, a platform that’s quietly solving one of the most tedious and costly challenges in the language industry, personal document translations.
Founded by Dylan Hartmann, a certified translator in Australia, AcudocX (https://acudocx.com.au/) is an end-to-end platform that automates quoting, payments, translator routing, communication, and delivery, all while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
“We’re not just talking about efficiency,” Andrew explained. “We’re giving language providers the ability to offer services they used to turn away because the margins weren’t worth the hassle.”
Even more impressive, AcudocX charges no subscription fees, just a small transaction-based service fee. It’s a win-win model helping freelancers expand their service offerings and language service providers tap into new revenue streams without adding overhead.
🌍 Bigger Than Translation: A Vision for Global Opportunity
Andrew’s vision isn’t just about Slator or AcudocX. It’s about empowering small players to act big and giving them the tools to compete globally.
From freelancers in Australia to mid-sized LSPs in Canada and immigration firms in the U.S., the platform is already proving its potential across markets.
“This is about unlocking entrepreneurism in our industry,” Andrew said. “And that’s what excites me.”
In a world where AI dominates headlines and localization adapts in real time, this kind of agility, whether in media or tech, might be the ultimate edge.
💡 Final Thought: When One Chapter Closes, Build a New One
What stood out most in this conversation wasn’t just the insight; it was the mindset. Andrew Smart’s career has been shaped by what he calls “Black Swan moments,” economic upheaval, tech revolutions, and market shifts that forced reinvention.
But instead of resisting change, he leaned into it. And now he’s doing it again.
“Things will change. But you have skills, a network, and perspective. Reapply them, and you can start something new.”
As the localization industry faces its own set of disruptive forces, from generative AI to rising client expectations for faster and more cost-effective solutions, companies that embrace innovation rather than fear it will come out ahead. Platforms like AcudocX represent a broader industry trend toward automation, self-service portals, and revenue diversification without increasing operational complexity.
Looking ahead, we can expect to see more platform-driven solutions targeting the long tail of language services. Small and mid-sized providers will increasingly leverage automation to remain competitive, while larger players will focus on integrating AI and machine learning into their global strategies.
The question is no longer whether change is coming. It’s already here. The real question is, are you ready to claim your piece of the future?
📹 Catch the Highlights in Bite-Sized Shorts!
Short on time? We’ve created 12 powerful YouTube Shorts from this interview, covering the most impactful moments and insights from Andrew Smart. Perfect for quick inspiration or sharing with your network.
👉 Watch the Shorts here: https://www.youtube.com/@L10NFiresideChat/shorts
🎙 Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/rE2IdDLr1pc
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📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@L10NFiresideChat
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🍎 Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/localization-fireside-chat/id1688770183
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🔗 Connect with Andrew Smart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewdsmart/
Robin Ayoub 
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