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Overview
Speak provides an AI-powered mobile app for practicing English through realistic, simulated conversations without a live tutor. Users interact with the app to engage in everyday scenarios, and the AI analyzes responses to offer immediate feedback and personalized learning paths. The product operates on a subscription model with multiple tiers, plus potential in-app purchases or premium features, enabling users to learn at their own pace and schedule. What sets Speak apart from competitors is its ability to reproduce natural conversational practice through advanced AI combined with an easy-to-use mobile interface, removing the need for live tutoring. Speak’s goal is to make English learning more accessible and efficient for students and professionals around the world by providing flexible, on-demand practice anytime, anywhere.
About Speak
Industries
Consumer Software
AI & Machine Learning
Education
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Series C
Total Funding
$165.8M
Headquarters
San Francisco, California
Founded
2015
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Seven-day free trial lowers signup friction.
- Web, iOS, and Android availability widens distribution.
- Localized English-learning support spans fourteen native-language markets.
What critics are saying
- OpenAI dependency exposes pricing, quality, and policy risk.
- Duolingo can bundle speaking practice into its freemium funnel.
- Annual-only pricing weakens conversion and increases early churn.
What makes Speak unique
- AI tutor emphasizes speaking out loud from day one.
- Real-time roleplay simulates workplace and everyday conversations.
- OpenAI models power personalized audio and text tutoring.
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Funding
Total Funding
$165.8M
Meets
Industry Average
Funded Over
7 Rounds
Accel
Y Combinator
Founders FundIndustry standards
Benefits
Standard tech startup benefits
Stipends for commuting, fitness, & learning
Annual company offsite.
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 2%1 year growth
↑ 2%2 year growth
↑ 6%Sam Altman has invested in various sectors including AI, energy, anti-aging, and edtech. He participated in Series B funding for Slope, a B2B payment automation platform, and Wrap, a coding assistant tool. In 2019, he signed a letter of intent to invest $51 million in Rain AI's chip through OpenAI. In 2022, Speak, an AI-based language learning app, received Series A funding from Altman and later secured further investments from OpenAI's startup fund. Recent investments include AirOps, CrewAI, and Exowatt.
OpenAI has invested in Speak, a language learning app that emphasizes speaking and listening through generative AI. In December 2024, Speak raised $78 million in a Series C round, led by Accel, reaching a $1 billion valuation. This follows a $20 million Series B round just six months prior. Speak's approach involves AI-generated real-life scenarios for immersive language practice. The app has over 10 million downloads and offers courses in multiple languages, with plans to expand further.
Speak, an edtech startup, raised a $78 million Series C led by Accel, doubling its valuation to $1 billion in under six months. The San Francisco-based company, founded in 2016, uses AI to help users learn new languages and has created over 25 million personalized lessons this year. Speak has raised a total of $162 million.
AI 기반 영어 학습 솔루션 ‘스픽(Speak)’을 운영하는 스픽이지랩스코리아가 시리즈C 투자 라운드에서 약 1,094억 원(7,800만 달러)을 유치하며 유니콘 기업으로 진입했다고 11일 밝혔다.
Speak’s app uses an artificial intelligence “conversational partner” to help people become fluent in English.
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About Speak
Industries
Consumer Software
AI & Machine Learning
Education
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Series C
Total Funding
$165.8M
Headquarters
San Francisco, California
Founded
2015
Speak is Hiring for 20 Jobs on Simplify!
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today