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Verbling

Verbling, a service of Chegg, is an online language learning platform that pairs individuals with language teachers via videotelephony. It also operates an enterprise version to aide employees in communicating with colleagues that speak other languages.

History

Verbling was founded in 2011 by Jake Jolis, Mikael Bernstein, and Gustav Rydstedt, who met while attending Stanford University.[1][2][3] The company's initial platform, Verbling Friends, connected users interested in learning each other's language to each other via videotelephony.[4][5] Verbling was financed by Y Combinator in the summer of 2011.

It launched in July 2011.[6]

In 2012, the company raised $1 million in funding and moved its headquarters from Palo Alto to San Francisco, California.[4][7]

In November 2012, the company added nine new languages and Google Hangouts-powered chats.[8]

In April 2013, it launched Verbling courses whereby students follow a set curriculum after taking a language assessment test.[9]

In November 2013, it added private study groups.[10]

In December 2013, Verbling launched Verbling Classes, a teaching platform, 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.[11]

In 2015, Verbling raised $2.7 million in series A round funding to expand its technology to more platforms. Investors included Draper Fisher Jurvetson, SV Angel, Sam Altman, and Joshua Schachter.[12]

In January 2016, the company offered free lessons in Swedish to Syrian refugees displaced by the Syrian Civil War.[13]

In October 2016, it launched an enterprise version to aide employees in communicating with colleagues that speak other languages and signed Volkswagen Group and Zara as users.[14][15][16][17]

In February 2017, Verbling launched Android and iOS mobile apps. The platform had 2000 teachers, offering classes in 43 languages, that year.[18]

In January 2020, Verbling was acquired by Busuu for "double-digit millions".[19][20] Busuu was acquired by Chegg in 2021.[21]

See also

  • Community language learning
  • Language education
  • Online education
  • Online platforms for collaborative consumption

References

  1. J. O'Dell. Verbling is like a Chatroulette for learning languages VentureBeat, September 7, 2011^
  2. Daniel Kederstedt. Intresset dalar för Silicon Valley Svenska Dagbladet, 25 January 2013^
  3. John Carlin. Trueque de lenguas El País, 26 July 2011^
  4. Joann Pan. New Website Connects Language Newbies With Native Speakers Mashable, February 1, 2012^
  5. Kevin May. Verbling Wants To Be a Next-Generation Language Learning Service Phocuswire, July 12, 2011^
  6. Leena Rao. Verbling Links Up Language Learners With Native Speakers Through Live Video Chat TechCrunch, July 8, 2011^
  7. Leena Rao. Verbling Raises $1M To Link Up Language Learners Through Video Chat TechCrunch, January 26, 2012^
  8. Rip Empson. Language Learning Service Verbling Launches Google Hangouts-Powered Classes, Adds Support For 9 New Languages TechCrunch, November 30, 2012^
  9. Rebecca Grant. Verbling brings immersive language learning into your living room (exclusive) VentureBeat, April 19, 2013^
  10. Rip Empson. Verbling Launches Live Study Groups And One-On-One Tutoring Service, As Its Spin On Language Learning Begins To Catch On TechCrunch, November 20, 2013^
  11. Rebecca Grant. Verbling Brings Immersive Language Learning Into Your Living Room VentureBeat, April 19, 2013^
  12. Sindy Nanclares. YC-Backed Verbling Teaches Its Way to $2.7 Million VentureBeat, July 21, 2015^
  13. Jake Jolis. Our Response to the Refugee Crisis, and Tarek Alhamad's Story January 3, 2016^
  14. Verbling Launches Enterprise Service, Signs Deals With Volkswagen Group and Inditex PR Newswire, October 20, 2016^
  15. Harrison Weber. Y Combinator-backed language learning startup Verbling is going enterprise VentureBeat, October 20, 2016^
  16. Brandon Vigliarolo. Language Learning Platform Verbling Announces New Enterprise-Centered System TechRepublic, October 20, 2016^
  17. Tess Taylor. Verbling introduces new multi-language learning platform Industry Dive, October 25, 2016^
  18. Natasha Lomas. Verbling adds native apps to expand access to its marketplace of language tutors TechCrunch, February 16, 2017^
  19. Language App Busuu Acquires Live Video Tutoring Company Verbling PR Newswire, January 23, 2020^
  20. Mike Butcher. Language platform Busuu acquires video tutor startup, now plans IPO TechCrunch, January 22, 2020^
  21. Mike Butcher. Student media giant Chegg acquires language learning startup Busuu for $436M TechCrunch, November 29, 2021^