Verbling

Verbling is an online language learning platform that pairs individuals with language teachers via video chat.[1] The company was created at Y Combinator in 2011.[2] In 2015, Verbling raised $2.7 million in series A round funding.[3] Funders have included Draper Fisher Jurvetson, SV Angel, Sam Altman, and Joshua Schachter.[4]

Verbling
Type of site
Private
Available in
HeadquartersSan Francisco,
US
Founder(s)Mikael Bernstein, Jake Jolis, Gustav Rydstedt
CEOMikael Bernstein
IndustryOnline education, Translation
ServicesLanguage courses
URLwww.verbling.com
Launched2011 (2011)
Current statusOnline

History

Verbling was founded in 2011 by Jake Jolis, Mikael Bernstein, and Gustav Rydstedt after meeting while attending Stanford University.[5][6] The company's initial platform, Verbling Friends, connected users interested in learning each other's language to each other via video chat.[7][8] Verbling was backed by Y Combinator and listed as one of five startups to watch in Summer 2011 by Gigaom.[2]

Verbling Enterprise aims to address one of the biggest problems in international business: language barriers. Although email, chat, and video conferencing have made it easy to communicate over long distances, international colleagues don't necessarily understand each other.[9]

In 2012, the company raised $1 million in funding and moved its headquarters from Palo Alto to San Francisco, California.[7][10][11] In November 2013, the company added nine new languages and Google Hangouts-powered chats.[12] Verbling also launched Verbling Classes, a teaching platform in December 2013, which were later discontinued in favor of private lessons. The classes were also live streamed so other users could watch the class without directly interacting with the lesson.[13]

In 2015, Verbling raised $2.7 million in series A round funding to expand its technology to more platforms.[14][3] The same year the company began offering free lessons in Swedish to Syrian refugees displaced by the Syrian Civil War.[15][16]

In October 2016, the company launched Verbling Enterprise, a platform designed for companies to help their employees take language lessons online, with Volkswagen Group and Inditex as partners.[17][18]

In 2017, Verbling launched Android and iOS mobile apps. The platform had 2000 teachers, offering classes in 43 languages, that year.[4]

References
  1. Empson, Rip (November 20, 2013). "Verbling Launches Live Study Groups and One-On-One Tutoring Service, As Its Spin On Language Learning Begins to Catch On". TechCrunch. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  2. Taylor, Colleen (August 23, 2011). "5 Startups to Watch From Y-Combinator's Summer 2011 Class". Gigaom. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  3. Nanclares, Sindy (July 21, 2015). "YC-Backed Verbling Teaches Its Way to $2.7 Million". VentureBeat. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  4. "Verbling adds native apps to expand access to its marketplace of language tutors". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2019-11-26.
  5. Kederstedt, Daniel (25 January 2013). "Intresset dalar för Silicon Valley" (in Swedish). Svenska Dagbladet. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  6. Carlin, John (26 July 2011). "Trueque de lenguas" (in Spanish). El País. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  7. Pan, Joann (February 1, 2012). "New Website Connects Language Newbies With Native Speakers". Mashable. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  8. May, Kevin (July 12, 2011). "Verbling Wants To Be a Next-Generation Language Learning Service". Phocuswire.
  9. "Verbling Launches Enterprise Service, Signs Deals With Volkswagen Group and Inditex" (Press release). PR Newswire. October 20, 2016.
  10. Ritchie, Shea (August 20, 2012). "Verbling: Instantly Connecting Language Learners Around the World". Technapex. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  11. Rao, Leena (January 26, 2012). "Verbling Raises $1M To Link Up Language Learners Through Video Chat". TechCrunch. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  12. Empson, Rip (November 30, 2012). "Language Learning Service Verbling Launches Google Hangouts-Powered Classes, Adds Support For 9 New Languagues". TechCrunch. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  13. Grant, Rebecca (April 19, 2013). "Verbling Brings Immersive Language Learning Into Your Living Room". VentureBeat. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  14. "Verbling Garners $2,700,000 Series A Funding". Xconomy. July 21, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  15. "Verbling Syria Swedish Lessons for Syrian Refugees". Angel List. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  16. "Varma presenten – fria svenskakurser" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 29 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  17. Weber, Harrison (October 20, 2016). "Y Combinator-Backed Language Learning Startup Verbling Is Going Enterprise". VentureBeat. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  18. Vigliarolo, Brandon (October 20, 2016). "Language Learning Platform Verbling Announces New Enterprise-Centered System". TechRepublic. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
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