A language exchange app has raised £4.5 million in Series A funding, after a surge in demand during the coronavirus lockdown.
Tandem, which was launched in 2015, is a language exchange app with over 10 million members across 180 countries.
“We have seen strong growth in Tandem members since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic”
The app pairs members up, enabling them to practice their new language whilst teaching their native one.
The financing round was led by education technology fund Brighteye Ventures. So far Tandem has raised a total of £6.8 million.
“We have seen strong growth in Tandem members since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic,” said Arnd Aschentrup, co-founder and CEO of Tandem.
“As access to offline lessons and courses has been limited, many people are discovering a new way to learn languages and connect with new people across the globe – particularly important during times of limited face-to-face interaction,” he said.
Aschentrup explained that Tandem will expand its team with Brighteye Ventures, especially in engineering and marketing, continue its global growth, and “inspire more people around the world to learn languages and get excited about foreign cultures”.
The app’s growth has been significant- with its active user base doubling since March 2020.
Members can choose from more than 300 different languages, including 20 sign languages, 20 indigenous languages, and six fictional ones like “Mandalorian” or “Klingon”. Tandem is available on iOS and Android, as well as the web.
Aschentrup’s Berlin-based company will use the £4.5m investment to develop additional features for the app, and support team expansion across marketing and engineering functions.
Tandem employs 24 full-time employees, and has plans to grow to a 50-member team globally.
“Brighteye is very excited to support Tandem through this next impressive phase of growth,” said Alex Spiro, managing partner at Brighteye Ventures.
“Tandem represents an innovative and effective strategy in tackling the language gap that prevents many from fulfilling their true potential, by connecting fluent speakers with learners through a sophisticated and managed community platform,” he said.
Spiro praised the app for showing its resilience in the Coronavirus pandemic and for its “impressive” growth.
“The team is now very well equipped to come out of it stronger and to continue to support loyal language learners that now number in the millions and will number many more in the coming years,” he added.
