AI-Powered Language App Speak Hits $1 Billion Milestone with $78M Funding 

Mastering a new language is often a daunting task. For 1.5 billion people learning English worldwide, the challenge goes beyond memorizing grammar and vocabulary; the real hurdle is speaking confidently. Traditional methods—like classes, tutors, or gamified apps—have tried to bridge this gap, but none have fully cracked the code. Speak, a San Francisco-based language-learning startup, has taken on this challenge by using artificial intelligence to replicate the natural way people learn languages—through speaking. The company’s innovative approach has now earned it unicorn status, as it reached a $1 billion valuation following a $78 million Series C funding round led by Accel, with participation from OpenAI’s Startup Fund, Khosla Ventures, and Y Combinator. The Problem Speak is