Duolingo

Launched in 2011 by Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker, Duolingo’s language learning platform offers 100+ different language courses in 40 different languages with more than 500 million registered users and 40 million active users as of June 2021. Basic language learning features are free of charge, while Duolingo Plus with additional features is available on a paid subscription basis. In August 2021, the company announced that it was working on adding a math app to its growing suite of products—the "Duolingo Math" app, which focuses on teaching basic to advanced math, was released in October 2022. At Duocon 2021, the company unveiled two new AI-powered tools on its app: a conversation feature which allows users to have live conversations with the app, and the “hoots” feature which allows users to answer writing prompts that are immediately graded by AI. In July 2022, Duolingo announced that its language app joined the metaverse, allowing developers to create their own language learning content on Decentraland’s virtual blockchain environment and on the Roblox gaming platform. In March 2023, the company announced the development of a music app that aimed to teach basic concepts in music theory through popular songs and instructors to facilitate the learning process.

The company introduced a new family plan in October 2022, which allows for upto six people to access Duolingo Plus with a single subscription and will cost around USD 120 per year. In March 2023, Duolingo announced the launch of a new subscription tier called "Max," which includes two novel AI-powered features called "Roleplay" and "Explain My Answer." These features are supported by OpenAI's new GPT-4 technology, which was released during the same month. In September 2024, Duolingo announced new AI-powered features, Video Call and Adventures.In October 2024, Duolingo launched AI tutor and chat features for language learning. 

In February 2021, the company announced plans to increase its presence in China, one of its top six markets in terms of active users and its largest market for the Duolingo English Test—a one-hour English language proficiency test used by students to apply to universities overseas. A Cantonese course will be offered to Chinese Duolingo users in 2021 in addition to the six languages already on offer (English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, French, and Italian). In August 2021, Duolingo was removed from Chinese Android app stores operated by Huawei and Tencent. Although still available on iOS, Duolingo issued a statement saying that they are working on resolving the issue. This move follows recent reforms imposed by China in July 2021, which barred EdTech firms from selling shares to the public, accepting foreign investment, and turning a profit, amongst other restrictions.

In July 2024, Duolingo acquired Hobbes, an animation and motion design studio to accelerate Duolingo's use of motion design to make the product experience more fun and engaging, improve the user experience, and deepen learner interactions.

Previously in October 2022, the company acquired Gunner, an illustration and animation studio, to expand Duolingo’s design team with the addition of 15 new graphic designers, illustrators, and animators to focus on further product and brand development. It also reported that Gunner had partnered with the firm in 2020 to develop the arts and animations of its flagship product Duolingo ABC, a language and early childhood literacy app.

Key customers and partnerships

In June 2021, Duolingo announced two new partnerships to provide refugees with better access to education. Through its partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the company will provide free access to language learning and English testing. In a separate partnership with the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR), a new university counselor position will be created at the UNHCR to advise refugees through the university admissions and financial aid processes. More recently, in April 2022, the company partnered with Platzi, an online learning platform, to offer up to 200 Duolingo English Tests free of charge to the Platzi English Academy community to strengthen English learning in Latin America.