# Speak

> Speak is an AI-powered language learning app that gets users speaking out loud from day one. Backed by OpenAI's Startup Fund, Accel, Khosla Ventures and Y Combinator, the San Francisco company reached unicorn status in December 2024 after raising a $78M Series C at a $1B valuation. Its AI tutor offers unlimited conversational practice and instant feedback to over 10 million learners.

- **Founded:** 2016
- **Headquarters:** San Francisco, United States
- **Founders:** Connor Zwick (Co-founder & CEO), Andrew Hsu (Co-founder & CTO)
- **Team size:** ~220
- **Products:** Speak App, Speak Tutor, Speak for Business / Enterprise
- **Notable:** Reached unicorn status with $1B valuation in December 2024, First major company to ship products built on OpenAI's Whisper, Over 10 million downloads

## Products & services

- **Speak App** — Consumer mobile and web app that teaches languages through AI-driven spoken conversation, with real-time speech feedback and structured curriculum.
- **Speak Tutor** — Open-ended AI conversation partner that role-plays scenarios, corrects errors, and adapts to the learner's level.
- **Speak for Business / Enterprise** — Language training programs sold to companies and educational institutions.

## Achievements

- Reached unicorn status with $1B valuation in December 2024
- First major company to ship products built on OpenAI's Whisper
- Over 10 million downloads
- #1 paid education app in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan
- Raised $162M+ total funding

## Latest updates

- **2024-12** — Closed $78M Series C led by Accel at a $1B valuation.
- **2024-06** — Raised a $20M Series B extension at a $500M valuation.
- **2022-11** — Announced $27M Series B led by OpenAI Startup Fund - the fund's first investment.

## Links

- Website: https://www.speak.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/usespeak
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/speak
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakLanguages
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speak
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speak

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/speak
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-18