Preply Raises $150M At $1.2B Valuation — Another Ukrainian Unicorn
Preply, a global marketplace for language learning, has secured $150 million in a Series D round, doubling its valuation to $1.2 billion since its previous raise. The round was led by WestCap.
Preply connects more than 100,000 tutors with learners in 180 countries, offering one-on-one lessons in over 90 languages. The platform combines human-led instruction with an AI-powered toolkit — effectively a co-pilot for tutors — to deliver flexible, personalized learning designed to show measurable progress with every lesson.
- The company previously raised $70 million in July 2023 as part of a Series C round that totaled $120 million.
- According to the authors of this piece, the company’s valuation at the time was estimated at $500–600 million. The team did not disclose an official valuation.
Preply operates in a large and growing market. According to HolonIQ, around 1.8 billion people — roughly one in four globally — are actively learning a second language. The global direct-to-consumer language learning market is projected to reach $227 billion by 2035. Over the past five years, it has tripled in size, with long-term forecasts pointing to continued rapid growth.
- Preply was founded more than 10 years ago in Kyiv by Ukrainian entrepreneurs Kirill Bigai and Dmitry Voloshyn.
- Today, the company operates globally, with a major office in Barcelona.
Since its Series C round, Preply has more than tripled the number of tutors available for booking and expanded its catalog by adding more than 40 new languages. Over the past 12 months, the company has improved its EBITDA metrics and reached positive EBITDA.
With the new funding, Preply plans to advance its AI and data capabilities, grow its product and engineering teams, and accelerate global expansion.
- The last time Ukraine got a unicorn was at the end of 2025, when Fintech-IT Group received significant investment and its valuation rose to over $1 billion.
- Interestingly, Ukraine has a number of large edtech companies. Headway Inc. also operates in this market and is valued at over $300 million.
- Preply is another unicorn startup in Horizon Capital’s portfolio. This is the first deal of the firm’s fourth investment vehicle.
Preply Raises $150M At $1.2B Valuation — Another Ukrainian Unicorn
Preply, a global marketplace for language learning, has secured $150 million in a Series D round, doubling its valuation to $1.2 billion since its previous raise. The round was led by WestCap.
Preply connects more than 100,000 tutors with learners in 180 countries, offering one-on-one lessons in over 90 languages. The platform combines human-led instruction with an AI-powered toolkit — effectively a co-pilot for tutors — to deliver flexible, personalized learning designed to show measurable progress with every lesson.
- The company previously raised $70 million in July 2023 as part of a Series C round that totaled $120 million.
- According to the authors of this piece, the company’s valuation at the time was estimated at $500–600 million. The team did not disclose an official valuation.
Preply operates in a large and growing market. According to HolonIQ, around 1.8 billion people — roughly one in four globally — are actively learning a second language. The global direct-to-consumer language learning market is projected to reach $227 billion by 2035. Over the past five years, it has tripled in size, with long-term forecasts pointing to continued rapid growth.
- Preply was founded more than 10 years ago in Kyiv by Ukrainian entrepreneurs Kirill Bigai and Dmitry Voloshyn.
- Today, the company operates globally, with a major office in Barcelona.
Since its Series C round, Preply has more than tripled the number of tutors available for booking and expanded its catalog by adding more than 40 new languages. Over the past 12 months, the company has improved its EBITDA metrics and reached positive EBITDA.
With the new funding, Preply plans to advance its AI and data capabilities, grow its product and engineering teams, and accelerate global expansion.
- The last time Ukraine got a unicorn was at the end of 2025, when Fintech-IT Group received significant investment and its valuation rose to over $1 billion.
- Interestingly, Ukraine has a number of large edtech companies. Headway Inc. also operates in this market and is valued at over $300 million.
- Preply is another unicorn startup in Horizon Capital’s portfolio. This is the first deal of the firm’s fourth investment vehicle.
