Speak’s AI-Driven Approach to Language Learning Attracts Major Investment
Traditional language education often prioritizes reading and writing, but Speak is flipping the script. The OpenAI-backed startup has developed an innovative platform that mimics how native speakers learn—through conversation. By leveraging AI-generated dialogues and real-time speech feedback, Speak helps users master languages naturally.
A Landmark Funding Round
The company recently announced a $78 million Series C funding round, skyrocketing its valuation to $1 billion. The investment was led by Accel, with participation from existing backers including OpenAI’s Startup Fund, Khosla Ventures, and Y Combinator. This marks a significant leap from its $20 million Series B extension just six months ago, which valued the company at $500 million.
Why Investors Are Betting on Speak
The surge in funding reflects growing excitement around generative AI and Speak’s strategic partnership with OpenAI. Beyond financial backing, OpenAI provides the core technology powering Speak’s platform, including advanced speech recognition and natural language processing.
“Our 2022 investment in Speak was driven by a shared vision of revolutionizing language learning with AI,” said Ian Hathaway, Partner at OpenAI’s Startup Fund. “Their world-class AI talent and unique product vision are creating transformative learning experiences for a rapidly growing global userbase.”
Expanding Language Offerings
A key focus of the new funding will be expanding Speak’s language catalog, starting with Spanish and French. Currently, the platform specializes in teaching English—the world’s most sought-after second language—to speakers of eight native languages.
The Speak Method: Learning by Speaking
Speak’s co-founders, CEO Connor Zwick and CTO Andrew Hsu, emphasize a three-step learning process:
- Immersion: Users dive straight into listening and speaking, bypassing traditional grammar drills.
- Repetition: AI-powered drills reinforce new phrases until they become second nature.
- Real-World Application: Generative AI simulates authentic conversations to solidify skills.
“For 1.5 billion people learning English, the challenge isn’t vocabulary—it’s speaking fluently,” Zwick explained. “Our goal is to teach communication, not just test-taking.”
Scaling Fluency Without Human Tutors
Speak’s entirely AI-driven approach eliminates the need for human instructors. With over 10 million app downloads and users averaging 10-20 minutes of daily practice, the platform offers an affordable alternative to traditional tutoring at \(20/month or \)99/year. Its enterprise tier, Speak for Business, already serves 200+ companies.
The Future of Language Assessment
While Speak avoids standardized test prep (a hallmark of compe*****s like Duolingo), Hsu hinted at future innovations:
“The system we’re building to quantify fluency could pave the way for a truly accurate English proficiency score.”
Standing Apart from Gamification Trends
Unlike rivals that rely on gamification, Speak prioritizes learning efficacy over engagement gimmicks. However, Zwick acknowledged that behavioral nudges may be introduced as the team grows.
Investor Confidence
Ben Quazzo, Partner at Accel, will join Speak’s board. He praised the company’s trajectory:
“Speak has emerged as a standout in consumer AI, with exceptional growth and market potential.”
As Speak scales, its AI-first methodology could redefine how the world learns languages—one conversation at a time.
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