Bengaluru based startup Stimuler, which provides AI powered English language tutoring through voice enabled platform has raised $3.75 million in fresh funding to scale its operations. The round was backed by global venture capital companies such as Lightspeed and SWC Global, along with MVP, Rebright, Force Ventures, GradCapital. This will be used to broaden Stimuler’s technical team, expand its team of AI, and rapidly increase user acquisition.
Originally started in 2022, Stimuler is an attempt to have voice interactions assist English as a second language (ESL) learners achieve higher levels of fluency. It comes with real time feedback on how well you pronounce the words, how good are your grammar, how deep is your vocabulary and how fluent you are in speaking. It racks up more than four million app installs, between 500,000 and 600,000 monthly active users and over 45,000 paying users.
According to CEO Akash Akash — looking at the market as so big that more than a billion people globally are learning English, which makes it so big — the opportunity is real. A stimulating voice first approach and real time feedback model seemed to fill a significant gap in the way that most traditional learning aids offer, namely in the area of interactivity and conversational practice.
In fact, the company’s largest market is then Latin America with around 40% of its revenue. It is then followed by Southeast Asia, namely, Indonesia, and finally there is India. The company is also looking into expansion to other emerging markets, where there is a high demand for low price, low cost English learning tools.
For revenue growth, Stimuler went from zero to 25 times last year and anticipates another eight to 10 times increase this year. While the growth is impressive, Akash clarified that the mission lies in creating a good team, having a scalable AI framework, and efficient distribution strategies.
Stimuler’s approach is seen by the investors as strong possibilities. Lightspeed partner said that the startup solves a universal need through razor execution and deep product insight: spoken English proficiency. They believe that voice AI is on the precipice of changing learning, and that Stimuler is perfectly positioned to lead the next billion users into it.
Similarly, a partner from SWC Global had faith in Stimuler’s ability to create a product that will be globally scalable and will command user interaction as well as retention.
Now with the new capital, Stimuler will improve its AI models, develop the iron in its tech and expand its ESL presence to global markets. Spoken English learning is meant to be more intuitive and interactive, and made available at scale, positioning the company in the first place of the voice AI education.
