Google Capital, the growth equity investment fund of internet company Google, has led a $45m series D round for US-based language learning app developer Duolingo.
The round included existing investors Union Square Ventures, New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB), as well as angel investors Ashton Kutcher and Tim Ferris,
Duolingo enables people to learn a wide range of languages, providing the service for free and without any advertising to the end-user. Duolingo instead generates revenue from third-party companies which pay for translations.
The learning process adapts to each individual user and is gamified, keeping users engaged with levels they need to work up, streak counts and available lives before a level needs to be started again.
The series D funding will be used to continue development of the platform and increase Duolingo’s presence in schools.
In February 2014, KPCB led a $20 million Series C round. NEA led a $15m series B round in 2012, while Union Square, Kutcher and Ferris also participated. In 2011, Union Square led a $3.3m series A round that featured Kutcher and Ferris.
Laela Sturdy, partner at Google Capital, said: “Duolingo’s mobile first, adaptive, and gamified platform is changing the way people are learning languages across the globe.
“We were blown away by Duolingo’s growth and engagement numbers, and we are thrilled to partner with them as they shape the future of education.”