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

Preply Raises $150 Million for AI-Enhanced Learning

Preply, the leading global platform for language learning, has successfully completed its Series D funding round, raising an impressive $150 million. This funding, led by WestCap, a prominent investment firm managing over $6 billion in assets, has significantly increased Preply's valuation to $1.2 billion, marking a pivotal moment in their commitment to revolutionizing access to personalized language education around the world.

Founded with the vision of making language learning accessible and effective, Preply connects over 100,000 tutors with students in 180 countries, offering one-on-one lessons in more than 90 languages. This combination of human-led teaching and AI-powered tutoring tools is redefining learning by providing high-quality, flexible, and tailor-made educational experiences that promote genuine progress in every lesson.

The timing of this capital raise coincides with a growing global trend, where an estimated 1.8 billion people, roughly one in four worldwide, are actively pursuing proficiency in a second language, according to the global education data platform HolonIQ. The market for direct-to-consumer language learning is projected to reach an astounding $227 billion by 2035. In the past five years, this sector has seen a threefold increase, and forecasts suggest sustained exponential growth in the years ahead.

Since its Series C funding round, Preply has tripled its number of available tutors and introduced over 40 new languages to its platform. Over the past year, the company has also made strides in improving its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), achieving positive EBITDA status.

With the newly acquired funds and support from both new and existing investors, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Horizon Capital, Preply is set to further its mission of delivering the world’s most personalized learning experiences at scale. The company plans to expand its artificial intelligence capabilities, enhance its product and engineering teams, and accelerate global growth to connect more learners and tutors worldwide as the traditional education system undergoes transformation. WestCap’s team, known for successfully scaling global marketplaces like Airbnb and StubHub, will play a vital role in further amplifying Preply’s global impact.

CEO and co-founder Kirill Bigai expressed excitement and responsibility regarding the future of learning. He stated, "We feel incredibly fortunate and deeply responsible for how people will learn in the future. Today, we connect individuals with the world’s best tutors, amplified by AI, which elevates learning efficiency to previously unattainable levels. We are thrilled to collaborate with the WestCap team, which possesses significant expertise in helping founders build legendary brands that transform the world. This investment will enable us to continue innovating at the intersection of human guidance and AI, creating opportunities for people to connect, belong, succeed, and ultimately progress in their lives, regardless of where they are in the world."

While other learning platforms increasingly pivot towards automation, Preply remains committed to the value of human connection in education. The AI employed in their platform enhances tutor-led learning and bolsters their tutoring co-pilot suite. According to the Preply 2025 Efficiency Study, conducted in collaboration with the nonprofit research organization LeanLab Education, an impressive 96% of students indicated that learning with a human tutor and engaging in real conversations is crucial for their progress. Furthermore, 97% acknowledge that these interactions are essential for building their self-confidence.

The study also revealed that students using Preply advanced up to three times faster compared to average benchmarks, with one in three students achieving a full CEFR level higher in just 12 weeks. This underscores the continuing significance of human guidance in meaningful learning, amplified by AI. Preply's tutoring co-pilot effectively tracks progress, delivers actionable insights, and automates administrative tasks, allowing tutors to focus on teaching while enabling students to achieve their goals more efficiently.

"Preply is setting a new standard for personalized education at scale, and the possibilities are virtually limitless," commented Allen Mask, Partner at WestCap and former senior executive at Airbnb, who is joining Preply's board. “Data shows that learners perform well when genuine human teaching is supported by technology. In our increasingly interconnected world, there is a genuine demand for democratizing access to high-quality learning in a modern and effective manner. Preply has the market-leading product, an experienced management team, and the vision to shape the way people communicate worldwide.”

This latest funding round raises Preply's total funding to approximately $299 million, reaffirming investor confidence in the company’s mission and growth trajectory. With ongoing momentum in the global market, Preply is well-positioned to expand its impact, build on its proven learning outcomes, and further establish itself as the category leader in human-led, AI-supported education.

For more information, visit Preply.com.

ABOUT PREPLY

Preply is a human-led, AI-powered platform for language mastery that enables the future of learning. With a global network of over 100,000 tutors teaching in more than 90 languages, we are the category leader and the largest online marketplace connecting human teachers with students from 180 countries, supported by always-on, AI-driven tools to ensure real progress in every lesson. Our mission is to create life-changing learning experiences by driving real progress through personalized learning, motivation, and high-quality tutoring at scale. We believe we are uniquely positioned to become the company that understands human learning better than anyone else in the world.

ABOUT WESTCAP

WestCap is a strategically operated investment firm that partners with visionary leaders to build generation-defining companies. Our team consists of seasoned industry leaders and entrepreneurs who guide businesses through pivotal growth phases. Some of our notable investments include Airbnb, StubHub, Klarna, Ipreo, Addepar, Hopper, iCapital, and GoodLeap. The firm has offices in New York, San Francisco, and London. For more information, visit www.westcap.com.