Preply Secures $150 Million to Expand Human-Led, AI-Enhanced Language Learning

Preply has secured $150 million in a Series D round led by growth investor WestCapDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, valuing the company at around $1.2 billion.

Founded in Ukraine, the language-learning marketplace connects more than 100,000 tutors with learners across 180 countries, facilitating one-to-one lessons in more than 90 languages.

The company plans to invest the capital in advancing its AI and data capabilities, expanding its product and engineering teams, and accelerating global growth to reach more learners and tutors worldwide.

Preply’s use of AI is positioned as complementary to live teaching, aimed at improving personalisation, lesson quality and tutor effectiveness rather than replacing human interaction. That focus reflects learner preferences: according to Preply data, 96% of users say that learning with a human tutor and engaging in real conversations is essential to their progress.

WestCap will support Preply in scaling this marketplace model globally, drawing on its experience of helping build and grow international platforms such as Airbnb and StubHub. The partnership is intended to strengthen Preply’s operational scale as it seeks deeper impact in a highly fragmented education sector.

The round comes against a backdrop of sustained growth in language learning. Market data estimates the global direct-to-consumer language learning market could reach $227 billion by 2035, a context that helps explain the company’s recent trajectory: Preply has tripled its revenue over the past five years.

As education platforms increasingly adopt AI, Preply is doubling down on a hybrid approach, arguing that technology is most effective when it enhances — rather than replaces — human-led learning.

Sources:
Preply
TechCrunch
EU Startups
Tech.eu
SiliconANGLE
Sifted
Tech Funding News
Bloomberg

J.V.