The AI language learning platform Speak has seen significant growth and success, securing an impressive user base and attracting a substantial amount of investment from backers. Since its inception in South Korea in 2019, Speak has expanded rapidly, amassing over 10 million users and serving customers in more than 40 countries. The platform’s user base has consistently doubled every year for the past five years, showcasing its popularity and efficacy in the language learning space.
With ambitions to propel Speak’s growth even further, investors have recently committed an additional $20 million to the company’s coffers. The recently completed Series B extension round was led by Buckley Ventures and included contributions from the OpenAI Startup Fund, Khosla Ventures, and notable individuals such as LinkedIn’s executive chairman, Jeff Weiner, and Y Combinator co-founder, Paul Graham. Speak’s total funding now stands at $84 million, effectively doubling its previous valuation to a remarkable $500 million.
Speak’s innovative approach to language learning, spearheaded by founders Connor Zwick and Andrew Hsu, places a strong emphasis on spoken language practice. Zwick and Hsu, who connected during their time in the Thiel Fellowship, envisioned a language learning system that departs from traditional vocabulary and grammar memorization. Instead, Speak focuses on speech patterns and encourages learners to engage in repetitive speaking exercises to improve fluency. This approach aligns with Speak’s foundational belief that speaking and verbal interaction are key to mastering a new language, fostering cross-cultural connections, and unlocking economic opportunities.
Initially launched with English language learning, Speak has since introduced Spanish lessons and plans to roll out French in the future, although the specific timeline has not been disclosed. The platform utilizes a proprietary speech recognition model, meticulously trained using in-house data, to support its language offerings.
Speak operates a subscription-based business model, charging users $20 monthly or $99 annually for full access to the app’s features, including comprehensive review materials and specialized courses.
As the platform moves forward, Speak employs a 75-strong team distributed across its offices in San Francisco, Seoul, Tokyo, and Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital. The company has its sights set on further advancements, notably the development of sophisticated models that provide users with real-time feedback on pronunciation and intonation.
The focus at Speak now lies in continuing to refine its cutting-edge technology to enhance the language learning experience, and in doing so, uphold its commitment to helping individuals achieve fluency through an engaging, effective, and technologically advanced method.
