Our Investment in Speak: The Language Learning App That Gets You Talking

Learning a new language has always been challenging. From the original inscriptions on the Rosetta Stone to the eponymous CD-ROMs peddled on infomercials, humanity has chased multilingual fluency for thousands of years.

In the 21st century, two major paradigm shifts redefined how we approach language learning. First, the Internet made vast amounts of previously siloed, offline lessons accessible to billions worldwide. Then, smartphones put that wealth of content in our pockets, ready to use anytime, anywhere.

These breakthroughs fueled a wave of language learning startups promising multilingual lives. Millions of us downloaded apps, played the games, and watched the videos. Yet over a decade later, most of us walk away with little more than a few memorized phrases. The key outcome, spoken fluency, remains elusive.

The reason is simple: we don't learn languages from videos and games. We learn by speaking and listening, engaging in real conversations. Until now, technology hasn’t been able to replicate that dynamic experience in a scalable, personalized way. 

The advent of AI marks the third –and most transformative– paradigm shift in language learning. AI can recreate the nuanced, interactive experience of talking with a native speaker, tailoring lessons to each learner’s needs. All it requires is the motivation to begin.

We’re embracing this new era by investing in Speak, the leading AI-native language learning app. For millions, speaking another language isn’t just about enhancing a vacation or pursuing a fleeting New Year’s resolution; it’s about life-changing opportunities. Fluency can unlock new careers, strengthen family bonds, and drive socioeconomic mobility. Speak stands apart not just for its product, growth, and team but for its unwavering mission to deliver spoken fluency and transform lives. 

While Speak may be a new name in the consumer AI world for some, its impact and scale speak volumes about its potential:

• Over 10 million app downloads
• So far this year:
  • 25 million personalized lessons delivered
  • 1 billion sentences spoken by users on the platform
• 6% of the Korean population has achieved English fluency using Speak
• 200+ corporations using Speak for Business, w/ 85% employee adoption rate

This success is a testament to the vision and leadership of Speak’s founders, Connor Zwick and Andrew Hsu. We’ve had the privilege of knowing Connor since the early days of the business, and his entrepreneurial drive and ambition are evident in every aspect of Speak. Andrew complements this with unparalleled expertise in AI and a profound dedication to education, qualities that have driven him to set a new standard in the language learning space. 

A standout moment during our diligence process was traveling to Taipei to spend a few days with the team during their annual global offsite. Taiwan is one of Speak’s latest breakout markets, and we witnessed firsthand the transformative impact the platform is having on users. Time and again, we heard the same story: after years of trying all sorts of services, Speak has finally unlocked their confidence, comfort, and ability to speak English fluently. This, in turn, has opened professional and personal doors that many never imagined possible. 

In 2025, Speak will expand its reach beyond Asia, with planned launches across Europe, Latin America, and the US. We’re also excited to support the continued growth of Speak’s enterprise offering, Speak for Business, and the ongoing development of its cutting-edge AI-powered learning engine.

Speak is poised to define this new era in language learning, and we’re proud to partner with Connor, Andrew, and the entire team as they bring fluency to more people in more places than ever before.