Lingawa Secures $1.1M in Funding to Preserve African Languages with AI-Driven Edtech Platform

Lingawa, an innovative edtech startup focused on preserving African languages, has successfully secured $1.1 million in pre-seed funding. Founded in 2022 and supported by Techstars, Lingawa was co-founded by siblings Frank Akinwande Williams (CEO) and Yvonne Williams (COO), along with Uche Azinge (CTO). Originally known as TopSet, the founders were motivated by their personal challenges in learning their native Yoruba language while growing up in the UK.

Frank Williams shared on LinkedIn, “As Nigerians raised in the UK, my sister Yvonne and I felt a profound connection to our heritage but also a significant distance. Our struggle to communicate fluently in Yoruba led to feelings of loss and even shame. We soon realized that our experience is not unique; countless people from the African diaspora face similar barriers while attempting to embrace their cultural roots.”

Lingawa currently focuses on teaching Yoruba and Igbo languages, harnessing artificial intelligence to facilitate learning for individuals aged 5 and beyond. The platform offers online lessons, expert tutor support, flexible scheduling, and tech-enhanced interactive features within its app, including games, flashcards, and progress tracking.

With the newly secured $1.1 million funding, Lingawa aims to expand its offerings and include additional languages to serve a broader audience. Investors in this funding round include Zrosk Investment Management, WEAV (Women’s Enterprise Acceleration Vehicle), Kaleo Ventures, Voltron Capital, Phoenix Fund, Metis Capital Partners, Techstars, Google for Startups, and the Mastercard Foundation, among others.

“Lingawa represents more than just a language-learning platform; it’s a movement dedicated to honoring the languages that define our identity,” Williams emphasized on LinkedIn. “If you’ve struggled to connect with your culture or language, remember you’re not alone. It’s never too late to embrace your heritage and take pride in your roots. Here’s to fostering a future where our languages and cultures can flourish.”