Language exchange app Tandem just raised $5 million in a funding round backed by Brighteye Ventures

Tandem_Co Founders_Aschentrup_Dickmeis

Language learning app Tandem has raised $5 million in a Series A fundraising round backed by Brighteye Ventures.
The Berlin-based startup boasts more than 10 million users across 180 countries, allowing them to learn everything from French through to sign language and 'Star Trek' language Klingon.
CEO and cofounder Arnd Aschentrup said the COVID-19 pandemic had led many people to "discover a new way to learn languages and connect with new people across the globe".
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Tandem, the language learning app letting users pair up and share tips from around the world, just raised more than $5 million in a Series A fundraising round.

Launched in 2015, Berlin-based Tandem today boasts more than 10 million users across 180 countries, members are matched with fluent speakers of the language they want to learn, allowing them to swap ideas over text, audio and video.

Users can choose from more than 300 different languages, including 20 forms of sign language, 20 indigenous language – and six fictional ones like Klingon or Mandalorian.

The firm's £4.5 million ($5.7 million) funding round was led by Brighteye Ventures, a leading European technology fund, alongside Trind Ventures, Rubylight Limited, and GPS Ventures.

"We have seen a strong growth in Tandem members since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic," said CEO and cofounder Arnd Aschentrup.

"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.

"We are very pleased to be working with a group of investors who share our vision of a world connected by learning."

Alex Spiro, managing partner at Brighteye Ventures, said: "The product has not only proven resilient in this global crisis but has seen impressive growth during the period, and 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."

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