Preply Achieves Unicorn Status with $150M Series D, Eyes Global Expansion and AI Growth
January 21, 2026
Preply, the language-learning platform, has raised a $150 million Series D at a $1.2 billion valuation, led by WestCap with additional participation from Horizon Capital, Hoxton Ventures, Owl Ventures, Techstars Berlin and others.
The platform now connects more than 100,000 tutors with learners across 180 countries, offering one-on-one lessons in over 90 languages and pairing human-led instruction with an AI-supported tutoring co-pilot suite.
Since its Series C, Preply has more than tripled its bookable tutors, added over 40 languages, and achieved EBITDA profitability in the last year.
The company plans to accelerate product development, expand enterprise offerings, and strengthen presence in Europe and North America, with WestCap’s involvement potentially guiding a future IPO, though no timeline is set.
The press coverage includes sponsor and podcast context but remains focused on the funding news itself.
Preply frames Ukrainian resilience as a strategic asset, viewing wartime operations as fostering creativity and competitive advantages in a fast-evolving tech market.
The new capital will boost AI and data capabilities, expand product and engineering teams, and accelerate global growth to broaden access to personalized learning at scale.
Existing investors, including EBRD and Horizon Capital, continue backing Preply as the round aims to accelerate growth and AI-enabled personalized learning.
Preply maintains Kyiv-based operations with about 150 employees, sustaining continuity despite wartime conditions through contingency measures.
Preply emphasizes a human-centered AI approach, using AI for tutor matching, homework generation, lesson summaries, and progress tracking, while prioritizing live one-on-one tutoring.
Market context highlights a large, growing opportunity in online language learning, with HolonIQ projecting a multi-hundred-billion-dollar direct-to-consumer market by 2035.
Preply is presented as part of a broader wave of Ukrainian unicorns scaling globally despite geopolitical challenges, signaling resilient growth in edtech and distributed operations.
Summary based on 9 sources
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Sources

TechCrunch • Jan 21, 2026
Language learning marketplace Preply’s unicorn status embodies Ukrainian resilience
The Manila Times • Jan 21, 2026
Preply Raises $150 Million to Shape the Future of Education through Human-Led, AI-Enhanced Learning
