{{Short description|Educational platform}} {{Infobox website | name = Preply | logo = Preply logo.svg | screenshot = Preply Homepage 2025.png | caption = Screenshot of the Preply homepage (2025) | company_type = Private | traded_as = Preply Inc. | founded = <!-- {{start date and age|2012}} --> | country = Brookline, Massachusetts, United States | country_of_origin = Ukraine<ref name=became/> | area_served = Worldwide | founder = Serge Lukianov, Kirill Bigai, Dmytro Voloshyn | CEO = Kirill Bigai | industry = Language learning | services = Education service | international = yes | employees = 500+ | url = {{URL|https://preply.com/}} | programming_language = | website_type = Educational | language = English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian | launched = {{start date and age|2012|11|1}} | current_status = Active | native_clients = iOS<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/preply-learn-languages/id1352790442 | title=Preply: Learn languages | website=Apple App Store}}</ref> and Android<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.preply&hl=en_US&gl=US | title=Preply: Learn any language - Apps on Google Play | website=Google Play}}</ref> }}
'''Preply''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|r|ɛ|p|l|i}} {{respell|PREP|lee}})<ref>{{cite news|last=Lunden|first=Ingrid|date=July 13, 2022|url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/13/ukrainian-startup-preply-beats-the-geopolitical-odds-with-50m-to-grow-its-language-learning-platform/|title=Ukrainian startup Preply beats the geopolitical odds with $50M to grow its language learning platform|work=TechCrunch|access-date=January 25, 2026}}</ref> is a multinational online language learning platform headquartered in the United States that combines human tutoring with artificial intelligence-powered study assistance. The company connects learners with tutors for live, one-on-one lessons, accessible via its website and mobile app, using a recommendation algorithm to match students and teachers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lomas |first=Natasha |date=March 30, 2020 |title=Online tutoring marketplace Preply banks $10M to fuel growth in North America, Europe |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/30/online-tutoring-marketplace-preply-banks-10m-to-fuel-growth-in-north-america-europe/ |work=TechCrunch}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Preply Reviewed: A Comprehensive Look at the Language Learning Platform |url=https://www.latintimes.com/preply-reviewed-comprehensive-look-language-learning-platform-545849 |work=Latin Times |date=23 January 2024 |access-date=5 September 2025}}</ref>
Tutor profiles typically include biographical information, introductory videos, and reviews from other learners, and users may contact tutors before booking.<ref>{{cite news |title=Preply Reviewed: A Comprehensive Look at the Language Learning Platform |url=https://www.latintimes.com/preply-reviewed-comprehensive-look-language-learning-platform-545849 |work=Latin Times |date=23 January 2024 |access-date=5 September 2025}}</ref> A machine-learning algorithm matches students and tutors based on factors such as budget and schedule.<ref name=EUStartups>{{Cite news | url=https://www.eu-startups.com/2021/03/barcelona-and-kyiv-based-edtech-startup-preply-raises-e29-4-million-to-grow-its-online-language-learning-platform/ | last=Tucker | first=Charlotte | title=Barcelona and Kyiv-based Preply raises €29.4 million to grow its online language learning platform | work=EU-Startups | date=March 10, 2021}}</ref> Tutors work as independent contractors and set their own rates and schedules.<ref name=became/> Preply also offers a corporate language training program, Preply Business.<ref name=TechCrunch5>{{Cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/19/preply-the-language-app-known-for-its-live-tutors-closes-out-series-c-at-120m-and-doubles-down-on-ai/ | title=Preply, the language app known for its live tutors, closes out Series C at $120M and doubles down on AI | first=Ingrid | last=Lunden | work=TechCrunch | date=July 19, 2023}}</ref>
Preply was founded in 2012 by Ukrainian entrepreneurs Serge Lukianov, Kirill Bigai, and Dmytro Voloshyn.<ref name="EUStartups" />
As of 2024, Preply employed more than 678 people of over 50 nationalities, with offices in Barcelona, London, New York, and Kyiv, and users across more than 190 countries.
==History== ===2012-2017: Founding and early growth=== Preply was founded in 2012 by Ukrainian entrepreneurs Serge Lukianov, Kirill Bigai, and Dmytro Voloshyn. Together they developed the first version of preply.com, which was launched in November 2012.<ref name=became>{{Cite news | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/preply-online-language-learning-ukraine-edtech-startup-2023-8 | title=How Preply became one of the largest online language learning startups in the world | first=Madeline | last=Renbarger | work=Business Insider | date=August 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/preply-raises-10-million-for-language-learning-platform-2020-3 | title=Language lesson marketplace Preply closed $10 million just before COVID-19 hit and is now seeing a 50% spike in business | first=Shona | last=Ghosh | work=Business Insider | date=March 30, 2020}}</ref> On August 31, 2013, Preply received an angel investment of $180,000. Some of the named investors in the funding round were Semyon Dukach, Borya Shakhnovich, Vadim Yasinovsky, Dan Pasko, Torben Majgaard and Vostok Ventures.<ref name=enters>{{Cite news | url=https://uadn.net/2015/02/02/online-tutoring-platform-preply-enters-polish-market/ | title=Ukrainian online tutoring platform Preply enters Polish market | work=Ukraine Digital News | date=February 2, 2015}}</ref> Preply's first expansion took place in its founding year, when it began expanding into the markets of other countries of Eastern Europe, including Belarus, Kazakhstan, Poland and Russia.<ref name=enters/> It was influenced by Bigai’s experience studying English online with a tutor, which he thought was more flexible and cost-effective.<ref name=became>{{Cite news | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/preply-online-language-learning-ukraine-edtech-startup-2023-8 | title=How Preply became one of the largest online language learning startups in the world | first=Madeline | last=Renbarger | work=Business Insider | date=August 29, 2023}}</ref> In the summer of 2012, the founders launched Preply as an online marketplace for live, personalized language learning.<ref name=became>{{Cite news | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/preply-online-language-learning-ukraine-edtech-startup-2023-8 | title=How Preply became one of the largest online language learning startups in the world | first=Madeline | last=Renbarger | work=Business Insider | date=August 29, 2023}}</ref> The company sought to differentiate itself from traditional language learning methods by focusing on real-time interaction and individualized instruction.<ref>{{cite web |title=Built for the learner: Kirill Bigai built Preply to replace one-size-fits-all language tools |url=https://www.thekeyexecutives.com/2025/08/06/built-for-the-learner-kirill-bigai-built-preply-to-replace-one-size-fits-all-language-tools/ |website=The Key Executives |date=6 August 2025 |access-date=5 September 2025}}</ref>
In its first three years, Preply experienced a notable growth in both employee headcount and financial performance. In 2016, the employee count reached 100, marking a seven-fold increase in less than three years. In June 2016, Preply raised $1.3 million in funding from investors including Techstars, SMRK VCDigital and Arthur Kosten and the Preply platform was updated with a new ranking algorithm based on machine learning and used for classifying and recommending tutors.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.edsurge.com/news/2016-06-14-preply-raises-1-3m-for-global-private-tutoring-marketplace | title=Preply Raises $1.3M for Global Private Tutoring Marketplace | work=EdSurge | date=June 14, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | last=Lomas | first=Natasha | url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/07/preply-pulls-in-1-3m-to-expand-its-tutoring-marketplace-in-europe/ | title=Preply pulls in $1.3M to expand its tutoring marketplace in Europe | work=TechCrunch | date=June 7, 2016}}</ref> At the time, the company did not operate its own videoconferencing technology; instead, lessons were conducted through third-party platforms such as Skype.<ref name=TechCrunch2>{{Cite news | last=Lomas | first=Natasha | url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/07/preply-pulls-in-1-3m-to-expand-its-tutoring-marketplace-in-europe/ | title=Preply pulls in $1.3M to expand its tutoring marketplace in Europe | work=TechCrunch | date=June 7, 2016}}</ref>
===2018-2021: Expansion and funding === Preply Classroom, formerly known as Preply Space, was launched as the all-in-one language ecosystem. Classroom provided integrated video, online chat, screen sharing and other useful features.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://venturebeat.com/mobile/preply-raises-4-million-to-help-young-professionals-speak-in-40-languages/ | title=Preply raises $4 million to help young professionals speak in 40 languages | first=Stewart | last=Rogers | work=VentureBeat | date=July 24, 2018}}</ref> The company also closed another round of funding during the same year.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://archive.kyivpost.com/technology/ukrainian-online-tutoring-platform-preply-raises-4-million.html | title=Ukrainian online tutoring platform Preply raises $4 million | first=Denys | last=Krasnikov | work=Kyiv Post | date=July 25, 2018}}</ref>
In 2019, Preply entered the Spanish market and opened an office in Barcelona, then expanded further in European, including the United Kingdom and Germany.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://en.ain.ua/2020/03/30/preply-kirill-bigai-interview/ | title="We plan to open an office in the U.S. in 2020," Kirill Bigai, Preply | work=AIN | date=30 March 2020}}</ref> It also launched its B2B division, known as Preply Business. This followed growing demand in the sector from companies seeking tailored language training solutions that could be used by their employees.
In March 2020, Preply saw record daily hours booked and spikes in tutor registrations in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Spain during early COVID‑19 pandemic school closures.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lomas |first=Natasha |date=2020-03-30 |title=Online tutoring marketplace Preply banks $10M to fuel growth in North America, Europe |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/30/online-tutoring-marketplace-preply-banks-10m-to-fuel-growth-in-north-america-europe/ |access-date=2025-11-08 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref>
In May 2020, Preply won "The Revenue Hack of 2020" at the Ukrainian Startup Awards.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://techukraine.org/2021/06/01/techukraine-news-on-may-28th-lift99co-lift99-k/ | title=TechUkraine news - Winners of the Ukrainian Startup Awards 2020 | work=Techukraine | date=June 1, 2021}}</ref>
By March 2021, Preply had facilitated more than 10 million lessons and listed about 40,000 tutors across 190 countries,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mascarenhas |first=Natasha |date=2021-03-09 |title=Preply raises a $35 million Series B as demand for language learning grows |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/09/preply-raises-a-35-million-series-b-as-demand-for-language-learning-grows/ |access-date=2025-11-08 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> and had raised a cumulative $50.6 million over eight funding rounds.<ref name="raises35">{{Cite news |last=Ghosh |first=Shona |date=March 9, 2021 |title=Language-learning marketplace Preply raises $35 million led by Silicon Valley investors |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/preply-raises-35-million-language-lesson-marketplace-edtech-2021-3 |work=Business Insider}}</ref><ref name="TechCrunch3">{{Cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/09/preply-raises-a-35-million-series-b-as-demand-for-language-learning-grows/ | title=Preply raises a $35 million Series B as demand for language learning grows | first=Natasha | last=Mascarenhas | work=TechCrunch | date=March 9, 2021}}</ref> At the time, it employed about 250 people and operated offices in Kyiv and Barcelona.<ref name="raises35" />
===2022-present: Additional funding and expansion=== Preply raised its largest single amount to date of $50 million via a funding round in July 2022.<ref>{{Cite news | last=Browne | first=Ryan | title=Ukrainian-founded Duolingo rival Preply banks $70 million to push into A.I. | url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/19/ukrainian-founded-preply-bags-70-million-for-ai-assisted-language-app.html | work=CNBC | date=July 19, 2023}}</ref><ref name=TechCrunch3/><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2022/04/04/brookline-startup-that-helps-find-language-tutors.html | title=Brookline startup that helps find language tutors files for $19.5M fundraise | first=Lucia | last=Maffei | work=American City Business Journals | date=April 4, 2022 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> In July 2023, the company raised an additional $70 million via an extended Series C funding round, which was led by Horizon Capital.<ref name=TechCrunch3/> Funds were to be used for an artificial intelligence-based assistant focused on grammar explanations and conversation starters.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Browne |first1=Ryan |title=Ukrainian-founded Duolingo rival Preply banks $70 million to push into A.I. |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/19/ukrainian-founded-preply-bags-70-million-for-ai-assisted-language-app.html | work=CNBC |date=July 19, 2023}}</ref> Preply opened an office in New York City in October 2023.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2023/10/26/preply-boston-new-york-headquarters.html | title=Why this language startup went with a NYC HQ instead of Boston | first=Lucia | last=Maffei | work=American City Business Journals | date=October 26, 2023 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> The company opened an office in London in July 2024.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://odessa-journal.com/the-ukrainian-edtech-startup-preply-has-opened-an-office-in-london | title=Preply Expansion: London Office and Growth | work=The Odessa Journal | date=15 July 2024}}</ref>
In January 2026, the company raised $150 million in a Series D round at a $1.2 billion valuation, making it a unicorn.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/21/language-learning-marketplace-preplys-unicorn-status-embodies-ukrainian-resilience/ | title=Language learning marketplace Preply’s unicorn status embodies Ukrainian resilience | first=Anna | last=Heim | work=TechCrunch | date=January 21, 2026}}</ref>
===Support for Ukrainian initiatives=== After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Preply organized support initiatives for Ukraine including a message of support projected onto the Warsaw Spire building in Warsaw, Poland,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Diaz |first1=Jaclyn |title=Have a message of support for Ukraine projected on Poland's Warsaw Spire building |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/03/25/1088858439/ukraine-share-message-online-warsaw-spire-preply | work=NPR | date=March 25, 2022}}</ref> free language lessons for approximately 1,000 displaced Ukrainians adapting to new countries,<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukrainian edtech company Preply raises $50M investment in round C |url=https://inventure.com.ua/en/news/ukraine/ukrainian-edtech-company-preply-raises-dollar50m-investment-in-round-c |website=InVenture |date=14 July 2022 |access-date=5 September 2025}}</ref> and relocation for employees in Ukraine.<ref name="Bradbury 2022">{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tech-firms-startups-rush-to-assist-staff-in-ukraine-2022-2 |last1=Bradbury |first1=Rosie |last2=Burroughs |first2=Callum |last3=Cogley |first3=Michael |last4=Lockwood |first4=Tasmin |last5=Hays |first5=Kali |last6=Kanetkar |first6=Riddhi |last7=Ghosh |first7=Ghosh |title=Tech companies rush to relocate and aid staff in Ukraine as Russia invades | work=Business Insider |date=24 February 2022}}</ref>
In 2025, the company launched the "Speak Ukraine" campaign, a multimedia initiative aimed at promoting Ukrainian language and culture.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukrainian edtech Preply launches a campaign to support the Ukrainian language and culture |url=https://en.ain.ua/2025/02/27/ukrainian-edtech-preply-launches-a-campaign-to-support-the-ukrainian-language-and-culture/ |work=AIN |date=27 February 2025 |access-date=5 September 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== * {{official website|https://preply.com/}}
Category:2012 establishments in Ukraine Category:Companies based in Massachusetts Category:Distance education institutions based in the United States Category:Educational apps Category:Educational technology companies of the United States Category:Educational technology companies of Ukraine Category:E-learning Category:Language education Category:Online marketplaces of the United States