Speak Lands Investment From OpenAI to Expand Its Language Learning Platform

English Language Learning Platform Speak Secures Significant Investment to Accelerate Growth and Development

Speak, a cutting-edge English language learning platform powered by AI technology, has announced the completion of its Series B funding round. The $27 million investment was led by the OpenAI Startup Fund, with participation from prominent investors including Lachy Groom, Josh Buckley, Justin Mateen, Gokul Rajaram, and Founders Fund.

Notable Investment from OpenAI Startup Fund

This significant funding milestone marks Speak’s third major investment from a leading AI research organization. OpenAI, the innovative lab closely aligned with Microsoft, has publicly invested in Speak through its startup fund, underscoring the platform’s potential to revolutionize language learning and education. The partnership provides Speak with exclusive access to cutting-edge AI systems and Azure resources from Microsoft.

"We are very excited to partner with the outstanding team at Speak, who are well-positioned to deliver on this powerful application of generative AI — making language learning effective and accessible," said Brad Lightcap, OpenAI’s COO and manager of the OpenAI Startup Fund. "Speak has the potential to revolutionize not just language learning, but education broadly, and this aligns with the OpenAI Startup Fund’s goal of accelerating the impact of powerful AI to improve people’s lives."

Founders’ Background and Vision

Speak was founded in 2016 by Connor Zwick and Andrew Hsu, two entrepreneurs with a shared passion for AI and language learning. Hsu has a background in neuroscience, having completed his PhD at Stanford before joining forces with Zwick to launch Speak. Zwick came from the edtech industry, having sold his first startup, Flashcards+, to Chegg in 2013 after dropping out of Harvard.

The two met through The Thiel Fellowship, an esteemed program that supports young entrepreneurs and innovators. Prior to starting Speak, they spent a year researching machine learning and developing accent detection algorithms using YouTube videos as training data.

Innovative Approach to Language Learning

Speak’s solution is a collection of interactive speaking experiences that allow learners to practice conversing in English. Through the platform, users can engage in open-ended conversations with an AI tutor on various topics while receiving real-time feedback and guidance.

"We believe that language learning should be engaging, effective, and accessible," said Zwick and Hsu. "Our goal is to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to communicate confidently and successfully in English."

Future Development and Expansion

The new funding will be used to expand Speak’s engineering, machine learning, product, marketing, content, and operations departments. With the support of OpenAI Startup Fund and other prominent investors, Speak is poised to accelerate its growth trajectory and continue pushing the boundaries of AI-powered language learning.

Conclusion

Speak’s Series B funding round marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards revolutionizing language learning. The partnership with OpenAI Startup Fund underscores the platform’s potential to transform education and make English language skills more accessible worldwide.

As Speak continues to grow and evolve, it remains committed to its mission of empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to communicate effectively and confidently in English.

About Speak

Speak is an AI-powered English language learning platform that offers interactive speaking experiences for learners. With a focus on engagement, effectiveness, and accessibility, Speak aims to empower individuals worldwide to communicate confidently in English.