Verbling

Verbling is an online language learning platform that functions as a marketplace, connecting language learners with professional tutors for one-on-one video lessons. The company was founded in 2011 by Jake Jolis, Mikael Bernstein, and Gustav Rydstedt, who met while attending Stanford University. Their shared interest in languages and the challenge of finding native speakers for practice led to the creation of Verbling. Initially, the platform, called Verbling Friends, connected users for language exchange via video chat.

The company participated in the Y Combinator accelerator program in the summer of 2011 and launched in July of the same year. A significant milestone was securing $1 million in funding in 2012, which prompted the move of its headquarters from Palo Alto to San Francisco. Over the years, Verbling expanded its offerings, adding more languages, curriculum-based courses, and eventually shifting its focus to private lessons. In 2016, it launched Verbling Enterprise, a service tailored for corporate clients to help their employees improve their language skills for business communication, securing contracts with major companies like Volkswagen Group and Zara. Mobile apps for both Android and iOS were released in February 2017. A major turning point came in January 2020 when Verbling was acquired by Busuu, a larger language-learning community, for a sum reported to be in the "double-digit millions". This acquisition was followed by Busuu itself being acquired by Chegg in 2021.

Verbling's business model is commission-based. Tutors, who are vetted for teaching experience, set their own hourly rates. The platform facilitates the entire process, from booking and scheduling to the actual lesson conducted via its integrated video chat service. Verbling takes a 15% commission from the tutor's fee for each lesson booked through the platform. This model serves both individual learners seeking personalized instruction and corporate clients through its enterprise solution. The platform's product is designed for a seamless user experience, featuring intuitive dashboards, advanced search filters to find suitable tutors, and integrated communication tools. Learners can purchase single lessons or discounted packages, while tutors can cash out their earnings weekly through various payment methods like PayPal and Wise.

Keywords: language learning, online tutoring, video chat lessons, language marketplace, learn languages online, professional language tutors, Verbling Enterprise, Busuu, Chegg, Jake Jolis, Mikael Bernstein, Gustav Rydstedt, one-on-one lessons, foreign language instruction, commission-based model, edtech, online education, language practice, native speaking tutors, language courses