Israeli AI English-learning startup Loora raises $22m. in Series B
The company, founded by former Sayeret Matkal soldiers Roy Mor and Yonti Levin, says it has more than 15 million users worldwide and has more than doubled revenue over the past year.
Israeli AI language-learning startup Loora has secured $22 million in a Series B funding round, raising its total funding to over $43 million, the company announced on Tuesday. The investment round was led by Union Tech Ventures, with participation from vgames and existing investors Emerge, Hearst Ventures, and QP Ventures. Loora utilizes artificial intelligence to offer personalized English-speaking practice, and the funds will be used to expand research and development, accelerate growth in the US, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and double its workforce within the next six months.
Founded in 2020 by CEO Roy Mor and CTO Yonti Levin, Loora has amassed more than 15 million users worldwide. Mor and Levin crossed paths during their military service in the IDF's elite special operations unit, Sayeret Matkal. The company's app allows users to practice spoken English through conversations with an AI tutor, receiving feedback on grammar, pronunciation, and fluency.
The AI system adapts conversations to the user's proficiency level and interests, targeting adults seeking to enhance their spoken English for job interviews, presentations, and workplace conversations.
Loora claims users have engaged in more than 200 million conversations with its AI system, and revenue has more than doubled over the past year, with annual recurring revenue now in the tens of millions of dollars. The company's data-driven approach means it has built a business-to-business operation and now collaborates with more than 100 companies, governments, and universities.
Loora reports that 72% of its users cite career advancement as their primary motivation for learning English, with the typical user falling between the ages of 25 and 55.
The startup aims to overcome the limitations of traditional language-learning software by providing frequent speaking opportunities rather than relying mainly on vocabulary and grammar exercises. Loora's AI system uses information from previous conversations to adjust lessons and identify areas where individual learners need more practice. With over 200 million learner interactions in its database, Loora analyzes engagement and refines the AI tutor's responses.
The company's founder and CEO, Roy Mor, emphasizes the economic and professional significance of English proficiency. He contends that while English speakers may underestimate the opportunities it creates, it remains the most significant gateway to advancement, better jobs, university admissions, or a completely different future for most of the world.
Loora's service costs around $10 a month in some markets, making it more affordable compared to the higher rates of one-on-one instruction. Union Tech Ventures partner Roxanne Horesh noted the company's combination of AI personalization and repeat usage as a significant factor in their investment decision.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
