Alphabet’s CapitalG Invests $30 Million in Duolingo

Key Points:

• The business start-up Duolingo reaches a $1.5 billion valuation.
• The venture capital-funded firm plans to increase its employee base by 50 percent by the end of 2020.
• The Pittsburgh-based tech start-up reaches 30 million monthly active users, making it one of the best education apps globally. 

The popular language-learning app, Duolingo, has opened up new opportunities for people all around the world. Being bilingual exposes an individual to diverse customs, ideas, and perspectives from different cultures.

Some reports and detailed Duolingo app reviews have suggested that Duolingo is the most downloaded education app in the world having a user base of 30 million.

The company with billion-dollar investors has raised $30 million in a Series F Google parent Alphabet’s CapitalG. This makes the Duolingo’s total revenue to $138 million, making it the first Pittsburgh start-up with a valuation of $1.5 billion.

CapitalG general partner Laela Sturdy in a press release said:

“Duolingo has been adding users and revenue at an impressive pace, continuing to solidify their position as the number one way to learn a language globally,”

The Duolingo language app has added some new products to expand its user base, including podcasts for Spanish and French learners and a subscription plan that removes ads and provides other features. The company is planning to launch Duolingo Events for the face to face interaction of language learners around the world. 

The Venture Capital industry has recently begun investing in start-ups outside of Silicon Valley. 

Duolingo CEO and co-founder Luis von Ahn said in an email to CNBC:

“Pittsburgh’s tech industry has grown significantly over the past several years, and I am proud that Duolingo’s roots are here. I hope this milestone is something that Pittsburgh is proud of, too, as a symbol of this city’s renewal and resurgence as a great place to start a business and a great place to live in.”

Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto worte in an email to CNBC:

“Duolingo is the kind of company driving the rebirth of Pittsburgh and other Rust Belt cities as they transform into ed-med-tech economies. Additionally, Luis and his team aren’t just economic leaders but community leaders as well.”

Duolingo has planned to use the new Alphabet mission’s funding to expand its employee base by 50 percent. The business start-up aims to reach 300 by next year. The firm is also planning to invest in R&D. The VC funded company is also planning to invest a part of $30 million in the Duolingo English Test, an English proficiency test for international students.

Von Ahn, CEO of Duolingo states that the company would never have reached such a wide user base without the free version of the language learning app. It offers 91 courses across 30 languages.

The company is looking forward to using this investment to continue its growth and improve its features to strengthen its position as the topmost language learning app across the world.

Written By

Manish Content Strategist

With a mixture of literature, cinema, and photography, Manish is mostly traveling. When he is not, he is probably writing another tech news for you!

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