Babbel
Online language learning platform
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Babbel GmbH, operating as Babbel,[4] is a German company operating a subscription-based language learning software and e-learning platform.
- Markus Witte (CEO),
- Thomas Holl (Co-Founder),
- Julie Hansen (CEO Babbel, Inc.)
 | |
Type of site | Private |
|---|---|
| Available in | |
| Headquarters | Berlin, |
| Key people |
|
| Industry | E-learning, online education |
| Revenue | €247 million (2022)[1] |
| Employees | 1000 globally[2][3] |
| URL | www |
| Registration | yes |
| Launched | August 2007 |
| Current status | Online |
With 1000 employees, Babbel is headquartered in Berlin (Babbel GmbH) and has an office in New York City, operating as Babbel Inc.[5] Babbel's app is available for web, iOS and Android offering lessons in 14 languages. The company develops its learning content in-house.[6]
History
The company was founded in August 2007 by Thomas Holl, Toine Diepstraten, Lorenz Heine and Markus Witte.[7][8] In January 2008, the language learning platform went online with community features as a free beta version.[9]
In March 2013, Babbel acquired San Francisco startup PlaySay Inc. to expand into the United States.[10][11] As part of the acquisition, PlaySay's founder and CEO joined Babbel as a strategic advisor.[12] Later that year, a third funding round led by Scottish Equity Partners raised another $22 million.[13][14] Other participants in this round include previous investors Reed Elsevier Ventures, Nokia Growth Partners,[15] and VC Fonds Technology Berlin.[16][17]
In 2019, co-founder Markus Witte stepped down as CEO and was replaced by Arne Schepker.[18] In March 2020, a works council was elected in the Berlin office.[19]
In March 2022, Babbel provided free access codes to Ukrainian refugees, allowing those with prior knowledge of languages offered by Babbel to learn relevant languages such as German, Polish, and English.[20] In February 2023, Babbel was awarded the "CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Silver Anthem Award for Humanitarian Action & Services" for its efforts to help displaced people affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[21] At the time, over 500,000 Ukrainians accessed Babbel courses under the program.[22]
In 2023, Babbel acquired Toucan (a language-learning browser extension). At the time, it had around 1000 full-time employees and freelancers.[5] As of October 2024, Markus Witte has returned as CEO.[23]