#USA #New York #AI Technology #Language Learning #Preply

Preply Secures $150 Million for Future of Learning

In a significant move towards transforming language education, Preply, the leading global online language learning marketplace, has recently announced the successful closure of its Series D funding round, raising $150 million. This round was led by WestCap, a strategic investment company that manages over $6 billion in assets. Following this funding, the company's valuation has surged to $1.2 billion, marking a pivotal moment for Preply's mission to make transformative learning experiences accessible worldwide.

Preply stands out as a pioneer in online language instruction, connecting over 100,000 teachers with students across 180 countries. The platform offers personalized lessons in more than 90 languages. By combining the unique strengths of human teaching with AI-assisted educational tools, Preply aims to redefine the learning landscape, providing high-quality, flexible experiences that foster genuine progress for learners.

As recorded by HolonIQ, approximately 1.8 billion people, effectively one in four globally, are striving to learn a second language. This trend is mirrored in the burgeoning global market for live language learning, projected to reach an impressive $227 billion by 2035. In the past five years, this market has tripled, with expectations for exponential growth in the years ahead.

Since its last funding round, Preply has more than tripled the number of available teachers and expanded its offerings by adding over 40 new languages to its platform. Additionally, it has managed to enhance its EBITDA, which has now turned positive.

With this new capital injection, alongside support from both new and existing investors including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Horizon Capital, Preply plans to boost its commitment to providing the most personalized learning experiences at scale. Plans include enhancing its AI and data capabilities, expanding product and engineering teams to optimize user experience, and driving global growth to reach a broader audience of learners and educators.

Kirill Bigai, co-founder and CEO of Preply, expressed the company’s commitment: "We feel incredibly fortunate but also deeply responsible for how people will learn in the future. We are connecting individuals with the world's best teachers, augmented by AI, facilitating unprecedented educational efficiency. Partnering with the WestCap team enables us to continue innovating at the intersection of human instruction and artificial intelligence, creating opportunities for anyone, anywhere, to connect, integrate, succeed, and progress in life."

In an era where many learning platforms increasingly rely on automation, Preply emphasizes the importance of human connections. The use of AI enriches the teacher-guided learning experience and supports its suite of educational copilots. A 2025 study conducted by Preply in collaboration with LeanLab Education revealed that 96% of learners view human interaction and real-life conversations as essential to their progress. Moreover, 97% believe these interactions significantly enhance their confidence.

This study also highlighted that learners progress up to three times faster with Preply compared to other platforms, with one-third completing a full CEFR level in just 12 weeks. This underscores that human mentorship remains a critical driver of learning, which can be further supported by AI, as evidenced by Preply’s educational copilots that monitor progress, provide actionable insights, and automate administrative tasks. This allows teachers to concentrate solely on instruction, leading learners to achieve their goals more quickly.

"Preply sets a new standard for personalized learning at scale, and the possibilities are virtually limitless," said Allen Mask, a partner at WestCap and former executive at Airbnb, who joined Preply’s board. "Data shows learners thrive when human teaching is enhanced by technology. In an increasingly connected world, there is a palpable demand for democratizing access to high-quality, modern, and efficient education. Preply has a leading market product, an experienced leadership team, and the vision to fundamentally reshape how people communicate globally."

With this latest funding round, Preply's total funding to date reaches approximately $299 million, reflecting investors’ sustained confidence in the company's mission and growth trajectory. With ongoing momentum in the global market, Preply is well-positioned to expand its impact, solidify proven learning outcomes, and reinforce its leadership in human-led and AI-assisted education.

For more details, visit Preply.com.

About Preply

Preply is a human-led and AI-assisted language learning platform shaping the future of education. With a global network of over 100,000 teachers offering instruction in more than 90 languages, it leads its category and is the largest marketplace connecting human educators with learners in 180 countries. The platform is designed to create life-changing learning experiences, driving meaningful progress through personalized learning, motivation, and high-quality instruction at scale.

About WestCap

WestCap is a strategic operating and investment company that partners with visionary leaders to create generational businesses. The team comprises experienced entrepreneurs and business leaders who guide companies through significant growth stages. Notable investments include Airbnb, StubHub, Klarna, and others. With offices in New York, San Francisco, and London, more information is available at WestCap.com.