Y Combinator Alum Fluently Raises $2M for AI-Powered English Coach
There are numerous resources available to learn English, but few cater to near-native speakers looking to improve their fluency. This challenge inspired Stanislav Beliaev and Yurii Rebryk to create Fluently, an AI-powered English coach.
Fluently provides users with feedback and tips on their spoken English, making it similar to ELSA's AI speech tutor and online/offline one-on-one coaching solutions. However, Fluently stands out by building its feedback from listening to real-life calls.
Users can have Fluently record and transcribe their side of calls, such as those made on Zoom for work. Additionally, they can practice with an AI coach, either "Ryan" for daily conversations or "Kyle" for mock interviews.
The duo estimates that there are 84 million non-native employees working in English-speaking environments, presenting a sizable market opportunity. This potential market helped Fluently secure a spot in Y Combinator's winter 2024 batch and attract a $2 million seed round from investors, including Pioneer Fund and SID Venture Partners.
Fluently's tech-focused approach, with three out of four team members being engineers, has garnered attention from VCs. The startup plans to use the funding to grow its team and invest in marketing.
In its current beta form, Fluently is still in its early stages, but it already offers a sense of what it can achieve. For instance, users can learn how to improve their pronunciation, such as with the word "computer," which can be useful in tech industries.
The startup aims to be a one-stop-shop for better speaking skills, focusing on understandability, including improving pronunciation, grammar, pace, and vocabulary. Rephrasing advice, similar to Grammarly or Ludwig's offerings for writing, could be an additional feature.
Fluently prioritizes user privacy, storing audio locally and encrypting data, with anonymized data sent to third-party providers. The startup is currently available on MacOS, with plans to launch a Chrome extension soon.
With its AI-powered English coach, Fluently is poised to make a significant impact in the edtech space.
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