Edtech startup SpeakX (formerly Yellow Class) has raised $16 million in a fresh funding round led by WestBridge Capital, with participation from Elevation Capital, Goodwater Capital, and prominent angel investors Ronnie Screwvala and Shyamal Anadkat. This funding marks a significant milestone for the company as it strengthens its focus on building a voice-based AI-driven English learning app.
A Bold Step Forward in Language Learning
SpeakX plans to use this new capital to accelerate product development, scale user growth, and expand its footprint across new global markets. The company aims to reach millions of learners who want to improve their conversational English skills using intuitive, AI-powered tools.
Unlike traditional edtech solutions that rely on video-based lectures or text-heavy lessons, SpeakX leverages voice recognition technology and AI personalization to help users practice, learn, and improve spoken English. The platform delivers interactive speaking exercises that evaluate pronunciation, grammar, fluency, and vocabulary in real time.
Founder and CEO Arpit Mittal leads SpeakX’s mission to make spoken English learning more engaging, affordable, and scalable. Under his leadership, the company has transitioned from a live learning format to a fully AI-enabled, self-paced model that uses real-time voice feedback to enhance the learning experience.
From Yellow Class to SpeakX: A Strategic Pivot
SpeakX began its journey as Yellow Class, a live learning platform for children offering extracurricular activities such as storytelling, dance, and art. However, by 2023, the company recognized a growing demand for English communication skills among young learners. The leadership team decided to pivot the business toward an AI-driven English learning platform, combining technology, pedagogy, and voice analytics to create a scalable product.
This pivot allowed SpeakX to reach a broader audience while addressing one of India’s and the world’s most pressing skill gaps—spoken English proficiency. Today, SpeakX operates on a subscription-based model, offering users access to hundreds of interactive speaking lessons designed for children and young learners.
Product Innovation at the Core
SpeakX’s app uses speech recognition technology to analyze users’ voices, measure pronunciation accuracy, and identify areas for improvement. The AI engine evaluates fluency, word choice, and sentence structure, providing instant feedback to help users refine their communication skills.
The app’s personalized learning modules adapt to each learner’s pace and proficiency level. As users progress, SpeakX’s algorithms recommend tailored speaking exercises and vocabulary lessons, ensuring steady improvement.
To make learning enjoyable, SpeakX integrates gamification elements such as progress tracking, badges, and interactive challenges. This approach keeps learners motivated and helps maintain consistent engagement—an essential factor in language acquisition.
Global Expansion and Market Opportunity
Currently, SpeakX operates in India and select international markets, but the company has ambitious plans to expand across Asia and the Middle East. These regions have massive populations of non-native English speakers seeking better job opportunities and social mobility through language proficiency.
With its mobile-first approach, SpeakX aims to reach users in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where access to quality English education remains limited. The company’s app requires minimal setup, making it suitable for learners with varying internet speeds and device capabilities.
Arpit Mittal and his team believe that AI and voice technology can democratize access to high-quality English learning resources. By removing geographical and financial barriers, SpeakX intends to empower millions of learners to speak confidently in English, thereby enhancing their personal and professional opportunities.
The Funding Journey: From Seed to Series B
Before this $16 million round, SpeakX had raised a total of $7.3 million in earlier funding stages. The company secured $1.3 million in seed funding from India Quotient, which helped build its initial product and attract early users. In 2021, SpeakX closed a $6 million Series A round led by Elevation Capital, allowing the company to enhance its technology and refine its business model.
This latest Series B round represents a vote of confidence from both existing and new investors. WestBridge Capital’s involvement highlights the growing interest in AI-powered education tools that deliver measurable learning outcomes.
Goodwater Capital, known for backing consumer technology startups, views SpeakX as a strong contender in the rapidly evolving language learning space. The addition of Ronnie Screwvala, one of India’s most prominent edtech investors, further validates SpeakX’s vision and growth strategy.
SpeakX’s Place in the Changing Edtech Landscape
The new funding comes during a period of sluggish activity in the edtech investment ecosystem. So far in 2025, edtech startups have collectively raised only $140 million across 24 deals, a steep decline compared to the funding highs of 2021 and 2022.
Despite this slowdown, investors continue to back category-defining companies that demonstrate strong unit economics, scalable technology, and clear user value. SpeakX fits this profile well by addressing a universal need—effective English communication—through a highly scalable digital solution.
Other recent edtech deals include Vedantu’s $11 million raise as part of a larger round and Eruditus’s $150 million refinancing from Mars Growth Capital. However, SpeakX’s focus on voice and AI-based learning differentiates it from traditional online tutoring or video-based platforms.
Building for the Future
SpeakX plans to invest heavily in product innovation over the next year. The company’s roadmap includes developing multilingual support, allowing users to learn English through their native languages. This feature will open the door to millions of new learners in regions such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Additionally, the company will enhance its AI voice engine to provide more nuanced feedback and emotional tone analysis. This upgrade will help learners understand not only pronunciation accuracy but also the intonation and rhythm that make speech sound more natural.
To fuel user growth, SpeakX will focus on organic and community-led marketing strategies. The company aims to build a strong learning community, where users can practice with peers, share progress, and participate in live challenges.
A Mission Beyond Business
Arpit Mittal and his team emphasize that SpeakX’s mission extends beyond profit. The company wants to bridge the global communication gap by helping people speak confidently and express themselves effectively. English remains the language of global business and education, and fluency can significantly influence career prospects.
Through SpeakX, Mittal envisions a world where AI acts as a personal language coach available to anyone, anywhere. The company’s technology enables learners from diverse backgrounds—students, professionals, and job seekers—to overcome the fear of speaking English and unlock new opportunities.
Looking Ahead
SpeakX stands at the intersection of AI, education, and human communication. With its latest funding, the company is well-positioned to lead the next wave of innovation in language learning. By combining advanced speech recognition, personalized AI feedback, and an engaging learning experience, SpeakX has created a platform that could redefine how people learn to speak English.
As the global edtech sector navigates a challenging investment environment, SpeakX’s success demonstrates that focused innovation and strong execution still attract investor confidence. The company’s journey from a live learning platform to an AI-powered English coach reflects the agility and vision required to thrive in today’s digital learning landscape.
With its new funding, SpeakX will continue to refine its technology, expand to new regions, and empower millions of learners to speak confidently in English—one conversation at a time.
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