Supercell backs Hyperbond Studio as Call Me Sensei bets on AI romance for language learning

Hyperbond Studio, a Singapore-based startup renowned for its AI language-learning dating simulation app Call Me Sensei, has secured backing from Finnish gaming giant Supercell. This support comes in the form of a Discovery Ticket, following Hyperbond's participation in Supercell's AI Innovation Lab. Supercell, known for creating popular mobile games such as Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, and Brawl Stars, is backing Hyperbond's unique approach to blending education, AI companionship, and gaming elements into language learning.

Previously, Hyperbond raised US$500,000 from various venture funds, family offices, and angel investors, including NLS Ventures, Loyal VC, and Attribute Global Ventures, as well as notable figures from Julius Baer and Plug and Play APAC. The company's entry into Supercell's AI Innovation Lab provided compute resources, workspace, tools, mentorship, and a chance to rethink its core user experience.

This experience led to significant improvements in user engagement, with average daily playtime on Call Me Sensei nearly tripling since the lab.

Call Me Sensei engages users through AI characters who help practice languages in simulated romantic-style interactions, such as a first date at a café or dealing with a travel emergency. The app's AI companions, powered by MiniMax's text-to-speech technology, remember past conversations and adapt to the user's language ability, creating a more natural practice environment than traditional lessons.

The startup believes that people are more likely to practice languages if the interaction feels less like homework and more like a relationship.

Southeast Asia, with its multilingual population, high mobile usage, and comfort with mobile gaming, serves as a useful testbed for this concept. The region presents both opportunities and challenges, such as cultural nuances in language use and the need for localized content and moderation to maintain user engagement. Despite the competitive landscape, which includes established language learning apps like Duolingo and Babbel, Hyperbond is entering a unique niche that combines language learning with AI companionship.