Verbling

Verbling was founded in 2011 by Jake Jolis, Mikael Bernstein, and Gustav Rydstedt, who met while attending Stanford University.{{Cite news | url=https://venturebeat.com/business/verbling/ | title=Verbling is like a Chatroulette for learning languages | first=J. | last=O'Dell | work=VentureBeat | date=September 7, 2011}}{{cite news | url=https://www.svd.se/a/367c9dea-3bbf-3d5c-9e5a-7304ab2364cb/intresset-dalar-for-silicon-valley |last=Kederstedt | first=Daniel | title=Intresset dalar för Silicon Valley | trans-title=Interest in Silicon Valley is falling | work=Svenska Dagbladet | date=25 January 2013 | language=Swedish}}{{cite news | url=https://elpais.com/diario/2011/07/26/radiotv/1311631202_850215.html | last=Carlin | first=John |title=Trueque de lenguas | trans-title=Exchange of languages | work=El País | date=26 July 2011 |language=Spanish}} The company's initial platform, Verbling Friends, connected users interested in learning each other's language to each other via videotelephony.{{cite news |url=https://mashable.com/archive/verbling-language-meetup |title=New Website Connects Language Newbies With Native Speakers |first=Joann |last=Pan| work=Mashable |date=February 1, 2012}}{{cite news | url=https://www.phocuswire.com/Verbling-wants-to-be-a-next-generation-language-learning-service | title=Verbling Wants To Be a Next-Generation Language Learning Service | first=Kevin | last=May | work=Phocuswire | date=July 12, 2011}} Verbling was financed by Y Combinator in the summer of 2011.

It launched in July 2011.{{Cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/07/08/verbling-links-up-language-learners-with-native-speakers-through-live-video-chat/ | title=Verbling Links Up Language Learners With Native Speakers Through Live Video Chat | first=Leena | last=Rao | work=TechCrunch | date=July 8, 2011}}

In 2012, the company raised $1 million in funding and moved its headquarters from Palo Alto to San Francisco, California.{{cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/01/26/verbling-raises-1m-to-link-up-language-learners-with-native-speakers-through-video-chat/ | title=Verbling Raises $1M To Link Up Language Learners Through Video Chat | first=Leena | last=Rao | work=TechCrunch | date=January 26, 2012}}

In November 2012, the company added nine new languages and Google Hangouts-powered chats.{{cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/11/30/verbling-classes-new-languages/|title=Language Learning Service Verbling Launches Google Hangouts-Powered Classes, Adds Support For 9 New Languages | first=Rip |last=Empson | work=TechCrunch | date=November 30, 2012}}

In April 2013, it launched Verbling courses whereby students follow a set curriculum after taking a language assessment test.{{Cite news | url=https://venturebeat.com/business/verbling-brings-immersive-language-learning-into-your-living-room-exclusive/ | title=Verbling brings immersive language learning into your living room (exclusive) | first=Rebecca | last=Grant | work=VentureBeat | date=April 19, 2013}}

In November 2013, it added private study groups.{{Cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/11/20/new-funding-in-tow-verbling-adds-live-study-groups-and-one-on-one-tutoring-as-its-spin-on-language-learning-begins-to-catch-on/ | title=Verbling Launches Live Study Groups And One-On-One Tutoring Service, As Its Spin On Language Learning Begins To Catch On | first=Rip | last=Empson | work=TechCrunch | date=November 20, 2013}}

In December 2013, Verbling launched Verbling Classes, a teaching platform, later discontinued in favor of private lessons. The classes were also live streamed so other users could watch the class without directly interacting with the lesson.{{cite news | url=https://venturebeat.com/2013/04/19/verbling-brings-immersive-language-learning-into-your-living-room-exclusive/ | title=Verbling Brings Immersive Language Learning Into Your Living Room | first=Rebecca | last=Grant | work=VentureBeat | date=April 19, 2013}}

In 2015, Verbling raised $2.7 million in series A round funding to expand its technology to more platforms. Investors included Draper Fisher Jurvetson, SV Angel, Sam Altman, and Joshua Schachter.{{cite news | url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/07/21/yc-backed-verbling-teaches-its-way-to-2-7m/ | title=YC-Backed Verbling Teaches Its Way to $2.7 Million |first=Sindy | last=Nanclares | work=VentureBeat | date=July 21, 2015}}

In January 2016, the company offered free lessons in Swedish to Syrian refugees displaced by the Syrian Civil War.{{cite news | url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/our-response-refugee-crisis-tarek-alhamads-story-jake-jolis | title=Our Response to the Refugee Crisis, and Tarek Alhamad's Story | first=Jake | last=Jolis | via=LinkedIn | date=January 3, 2016}}

In October 2016, it launched an enterprise version to aide employees in communicating with colleagues that speak other languages and signed Volkswagen Group and Zara as users.{{Cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/verbling-launches-enterprise-service-signs-deals-with-volkswagen-group-and-inditex-300348649.html | title=Verbling Launches Enterprise Service, Signs Deals With Volkswagen Group and Inditex | publisher=PR Newswire | date=October 20, 2016}}{{Cite news | url=https://venturebeat.com/business/y-combinator-backed-language-learning-startup-verbling-is-going-enterprise/ | title=Y Combinator-backed language learning startup Verbling is going enterprise | first=Harrison | last=Weber | work=VentureBeat | date=October 20, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.techrepublic.com/article/language-learning-platform-verbling-announces-new-enterprise-centered-system/ |title=Language Learning Platform Verbling Announces New Enterprise-Centered System |first=Brandon |last=Vigliarolo | work=TechRepublic |date=October 20, 2016}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.hrdive.com/news/verbling-introduces-new-multi-language-learning-platform/429007/ | title=Verbling introduces new multi-language learning platform | first=Tess | last=Taylor | work=Industry Dive | date=October 25, 2016}}

In February 2017, Verbling launched Android and iOS mobile apps. The platform had 2000 teachers, offering classes in 43 languages, that year.{{Cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/02/16/verbling-adds-native-apps-to-expand-access-to-its-marketplace-of-language-tutors/ | title=Verbling adds native apps to expand access to its marketplace of language tutors | first=Natasha | last=Lomas | work=TechCrunch | date=February 16, 2017}}

In January 2020, Verbling was acquired by Busuu for "double-digit millions".{{Cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/language-app-busuu-acquires-live-video-tutoring-company-verbling-300991620.html | title=Language App Busuu Acquires Live Video Tutoring Company Verbling | publisher=PR Newswire | date=January 23, 2020}}{{Cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/22/language-platform-busuu-acquires-video-tutor-startup-now-plans-ipo/ | title=Language platform Busuu acquires video tutor startup, now plans IPO | first=Mike | last=Butcher | work=TechCrunch | date=January 22, 2020}} Busuu was acquired by Chegg in 2021.{{Cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/29/student-media-giant-chegg-acquires-language-learning-startup-busuu-for-436m/ | title=Student media giant Chegg acquires language learning startup Busuu for $436M | first=Mike | last=Butcher | work=TechCrunch | date=November 29, 2021}}

• Community language learning
• Language education
• Online education
• Online platforms for collaborative consumption

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Category:2011 establishments in California

Category:2020 mergers and acquisitions

Category:E-learning

Category:Internet properties established in 2011

Category:Language education

Category:Multinational companies headquartered in the United States

Category:Online marketplaces of the United States

Category:Technology companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area

Category:Technology companies established in 2011