AI-powered language learning app Speak has been rapidly expanding since its launch in South Korea in 2019. Speak has now amassed over 10 million users, with its user base doubling every year for the past five years. The app is now available in more than 40 countries, according to CEO and co-founder Connor Zwick.
To support Speak’s continued growth, investors have pledged additional funding. This week, the company closed a $20 million Series B extension led by Buckley Ventures. The OpenAI Startup Fund, Khosla Ventures, Y Combinator co-founder Paul Graham, and LinkedIn executive chairman Jeff Weiner also participated in this round. This new capital injection brings Speak’s total funding to $84 million and doubles its valuation to $500 million.
Founding and Philosophy
Speak was founded in 2014 by Zwick and Andrew Hsu, who met through the Thiel Fellowship. The app is designed to teach languages through speaking patterns and practice repetition in structured lessons rather than traditional vocabulary and grammar memorization. This approach emphasizes verbalizing, setting Speak apart from competitors like Duolingo, especially Duolingo’s newer generative AI features.
“Our core philosophy is centered around getting users to speak out loud as much as possible,” Zwick explained. “Attaining fluency helps people form connections, bridge cultures, and create economic opportunities. It remains the most important part of language learning for people, yet historically, the least supported through technology.”
Speak initially focused on teaching English and has since added Spanish lessons, powered by a speech recognition model trained on proprietary data. The next language to be added will be French, though Zwick did not specify a launch date.
The app generates revenue by charging users $20 per month or $99 per year for access to all features, including review materials and specialized courses.
Future Developments
With a team of 75 employees spread across offices in San Francisco, Seoul, Tokyo, and Ljubljana (the capital of Slovenia), Speak is working on developing new models. These models aim to provide better real-time feedback on tone and pronunciation, enhancing the language learning experience.
The recent funding and increased valuation underscore the confidence investors have in Speak’s innovative approach to language learning. By emphasizing speaking and feedback, Speak aims to continue its expansion, making language learning more accessible and effective for users.
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