Exclusive: MS Dhoni Joins Edtech Startup SpeakX’s Cap Table

Edtech startup SpeakX has recently welcomed cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a strategic investor and brand ambassador, according to founder Arpit Mittal. The financial details of the deal have not been disclosed yet.

Mittal explained that Dhoni's investment is a part of a larger funding round that SpeakX plans to raise next year. The former cricketer's support aligns well with SpeakX's mission, as the investor understands the value of the business, Mittal stated.

SpeakX, previously named Yellow Class, is currently focusing on expanding its offerings across India by emphasizing regional language support. Previously, the company prioritized Hindi content, but it has now shifted to cater to users in Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Marathi. The startup envisions further penetration into these language markets.

In its early days, SpeakX's primary user base was limited to the Hindi-speaking belt, making up 80% of its total audience. However, the startup has seen a significant shift, with users speaking regional languages now accounting for half of its user base.

Founded in 2020 by Mittal, SpeakX initially provided free extracurricular and co-curricular classes in over 40 categories. The company rebranded as SpeakX in November 2023, with a primary focus on English language skills for children in India and abroad. GenAI has played a crucial role in the pivot, enabling learners to practice everyday conversations with an AI tutor, which has become the key mission of the platform.

The startup follows a freemium model, boasting around 2 lakh active paid subscribers. The retention rate for paid users is approximately 30% on a monthly basis, according to Mittal. SpeakX subscriptions cost ₹299 per month.

Financially, the company became EBITDA profitable in FY26, with its top line reaching ₹45 crore during the fiscal year. Mittal projects revenue of ₹70-80 crore in FY27. The company is looking to diversify its revenue streams by launching a B2B English-learning product targeting sectors like hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare in the coming months.