UAE-based startup, Verbatica, is developing a next-generation educational platform for learning English and Arabic, and has raised $700,000 in angel investments. These funds will allow the company to enter the Middle East and North African markets and prepare for the next funding round, scheduled for November 2024.
The co-founder and CEO of the startup is Nikita Savilov, an MGIMO graduate with over 10 years of experience at Skyeng. The project was also co-founded by Nikolay Morozov. The Verbatica platform was developed with the participation of over a hundred active teachers and is based on their practical experience. The use of a methodology supported by adaptive artificial intelligence enhances the effectiveness of language learning. Verbatica offers users the ability to learn independently or with a teacher, switching between modes as needed. All educational materials, including dictionaries and flashcards, are collected on one platform.
Verbatica’s advantage is the concept of LQ (Language Quotient), which assesses language proficiency in five aspects: classical – reading, listening, writing, speaking, and the development team’s know-how – cultural features. This aspect involves deep immersion into the culture of the language being studied. The platform recommends reading books, watching movies, studying customs, and learning the history of the people who speak the language. Verbatica also offers the study of slang, social media trends, and fads, which helps users quickly master the language and understand its context more deeply.
The demo testing is scheduled to start on August 15. The platform launch is planned for the end of August, before the start of the academic year.
“We chose the UAE to launch the project because it is a country with a high level of migration, where people from all over the world live. According to the Dubai Land Department, Russians were among the top three property buyers in the UAE in the first half of 2024, ranking third after India and the UK. Arabic and English are actively used here, which, considering the ethnic diversity, creates significant demand for learning foreign languages. Many want to learn English for career growth and Arabic for better social adaptation. In the future, the product will be launched in Indonesia and then throughout Asia,” said Verbatica’s Nikita. “In the next funding round, which will take place in November, the company plans to raise an additional $2 million.”
