AI-powered EdTech startup SpeakX has raised $16 million in a pre-series B funding round led by WestBridge Capital to expand its AI-driven spoken English learning platform in India. The funding will allow the company to invest in advanced technology, selectively hire top talent, and scale operations while maintaining profitability.
The investment comes as AI adoption is rapidly transforming the Indian EdTech landscape, with language learning emerging as one of the most promising segments. SpeakX aims to address a critical gap in the market, helping learners who know basic English, but struggle with speaking confidently.
Founded in 2022, SpeakX pivoted in January 2024 from a hobby-class platform to a fully AI-first language learning solution. The startup downsized its team from 200 to 20 employees during the pivot, shutting down its previous product, Yellow Class, to focus entirely on conversational AI for language learning.
Today, the platform serves over 2,10,000 subscribers per month and generates $2 million profit on a $7 million revenue. The company plans to invest the fresh capital to scale to $100 million in revenue in the next year while keeping healthy margins of 12–15%.
Unlike apps such as Duolingo that target complete beginners, SpeakX focuses on users who have basic English knowledge but lack confidence. Its fully automated platform provides a judgment-free environment where learners interact with AI tutors that adapt to individual skill levels. The system can even process bilingual sentences with 94% conversational accuracy, a feat that required significant technological innovation.
SpeakX founder and CEO Arpit Mittal told AIM, “Our AI-driven platform allows learners to practice English in a safe, non-judgmental environment. It’s designed to create [a] real impact on careers and social identity, helping users communicate effectively and confidently.”
The startup relies primarily on performance marketing through Meta and Google to acquire users and focuses on retention and trust rather than rapid, mass user acquisition. Its target audience is largely middle and lower-middle-class learners aged 16–35 with an income range of ₹15,000–₹60,000, primarily in tier 1 cities.
On the technology front, SpeakX uses Google and OpenAI stacks to deliver adaptive, conversational learning. Arpit highlighted that reducing latency and improving AI response speed remain priorities to further enhance the user experience.
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