Language marketplace Preply raises $150M, hits unicorn status
- ByStartupStory | January 23, 2026
Language learning has become one of the fastest-growing areas of global education, yet millions of learners still face a familiar challenge: digital platforms that feel mechanical and disconnected. Preply fills that gap.
The company runs the world’s largest marketplace for live language tutoring, connecting over 100,000 tutors with learners in 180 countries and offering lessons in more than 90 languages.
What sets Preply apart is its balance between skilled human tutors and advanced technology. Its AI tutoring co-pilot supports teachers by tracking progress, organising materials, and providing insights while tutors focus on conversation, connection, and personalised learning.
Today, Preply announced a $150 million Series D round led by WestCap, valuing the company at $1.2 billion.
Making language learning individual and inspiring
Preply was founded in 2012 by Kirill Bigai and Dmytro Voloshyn, who saw how difficult it was for learners to find committed language tutors online.
Bigai tells TFN, “When I first came to the U.S., I understood only about 60% of real conversations and couldn’t express myself the way I wanted. I often joke that if my English had been better, Preply wouldn’t exist. That experience showed me a clear gap: traditional language learning optimised for exams, rather than real communication. In 2012, I co-founded Preply with Dmytro Voloshyn, inspired by learning English online via Skype and recognising the opportunity to make flexible, affordable, personalised tutoring available anytime, anywhere.”
He adds, “Our goal has always been to help people belong, connect, and succeed through language. Preply’s growth reflects persistence, continuous improvement, and staying true to that mission while responsibly using technology, including AI, to enhance, not replace, human learning relationships.”
Preply’s technology strengthens human connection rather than replacing it. Its AI co-pilot acts as a behind-the-scenes assistant, analysing each learner’s progress, preparing personalised feedback, and handling administrative details.
Bigai elaborates, “Our technology is built on the belief that learning is most effective when technology enhances human connection instead of replacing it. From the start, we made early bets on mobile-first learning and AI before the data fully validated them, relying on leading indicators like user behaviour, market shifts, and the lived experience of how people learn.”
A 2025 study conducted by LeanLab Education found that nearly every learner views human interaction as essential to their progress, and 97% credit that interaction with increased confidence. Learners also improved up to three times faster than standard benchmarks.
Unlike Duolingo, Babbel, and iTalki, Preply focuses on structured, one-on-one tutoring strengthened by AI insights. Bigai adds, “What sets us apart is this human-first framework, paired with a strong commitment to responsible innovation. We’re intentional about privacy, bias, and transparency, adhering to strict data standards like GDPR and collecting only what’s needed to improve learning.”
What about diversity?
When we asked about diversity, Bigai shares, “With a team of over 750 employees from more than 60 countries globally, we are proud to be a diverse group of people working at Preply. It’s an important part of our company’s DNA. “
What’s next?
With fresh capital, Preply plans to expand its global reach, strengthen its AI and data science capabilities, and grow its product and engineering teams. The company also intends to deepen the personalisation within its platform so that every lesson feels tailored to the individual learner.
Bigai concludes, “We’re focused on continuing to build the best product we can for our learners and tutors, so that millions more people can connect through language. Operationally, that means doubling down on R&D and advancing our data and AI capabilities. This year alone, for example, we plan to hire 100 engineers to help us enhance, scale, and further personalise our platform. “
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