AI-powered English learning startup SpeakX has onboarded Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a strategic investor and brand ambassador, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth journey. The financial terms of the investment have not been disclosed.
Founded in 2020 by Arpit Mittal, SpeakX was previously known as Yellow Class before pivoting and rebranding in November 2023. While the startup initially offered free extracurricular and co-curricular classes across more than 40 categories, it has since shifted its focus towards helping children develop English-speaking skills using artificial intelligence.
SpeakX operates with a freemium model and currently has around 2 lakh active paid subscribers. Its subscription is priced at ₹299 per month, while the company reports monthly paid-user retention of approximately 30%.
A key part of SpeakX’s growth strategy is expanding beyond its original Hindi-first audience. The platform now supports users across Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Marathi, with regional-language users accounting for around half of its user base. The company is also witnessing stronger traction in South India as it deepens its presence across diverse language markets.
Generative AI has become central to SpeakX’s product proposition. The platform enables learners to practice everyday English conversations with an AI tutor, with limited human intervention outside specific customer-support situations. This technology-led approach allows the startup to scale personalised learning experiences across geographies and languages.
On the financial front, SpeakX claims to have achieved EBITDA profitability in FY26, with revenue reaching approximately ₹45 crore. The company is targeting ₹70–80 crore in revenue in FY27 as it expands its consumer offerings and explores new business segments.
The startup is also preparing to launch a B2B English-learning product in the coming months. The offering will initially target industries such as hospitality, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, creating an additional revenue stream beyond its consumer subscription business.
Dhoni’s investment is part of a larger funding round that SpeakX plans to raise next year. Prior to this, the startup raised $16 million in a pre-Series B round led by WestBridge Capital and has raised more than $20 million to date.
With a growing subscriber base, regional-language expansion, AI-led tutoring and an upcoming B2B play, SpeakX is building a broader English-learning platform designed for India’s increasingly diverse digital learner base.
Source: Based on reporting by inc42, with additional editorial adaptation and analysis.
