This investment is earmarked for scaling its AI infrastructure, enhancing its technical team, and boosting user acquisition to ramp up monetisation in the coming year to year and a half.
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Stimuler, a voice-first AI tutor for ESL learners, has secured $3.75 million in Pre-Series A funding led by Lightspeed and SWC Global. The funding will be used to scale Stimuler’s in-house AI infrastructure, grow its technical team, and accelerate user acquisition, with an aim to increase monetisation in the next 12-18 months.
The funding also saw participation from other investors including MVP, Rebright, Force Ventures, GradCapital, and Operators Studio.
Founded in 2022, Stimuler is a voice-first AI tutor designed to help users with English as a second language improve their speaking skills. The platform leverages advanced speech analysis and AI-driven learning to transform how people learn and practice spoken English.
“At Stimuler, our goal is simple, to make fluent English speaking accessible to people worldwide. This funding allows us to deepen our investment in AI infrastructure, expand our reach across LATAM and SEA, and move closer to a top player in these key markets. We believe our India-to-the-world and voice-first approach positions us uniquely to address the unmet needs of a billion English learners,” said Akshay Akash, CEO of Stimuler.
The Varanasi-based company has raised $1.02 million in two rounds of funding and has 25 active competitors, ELSA Speak, BoldVoice, and Blue Canoe, according to data from tracxn.
Harsha Kumar, Partner, Lightspeed said, “Stimuler is solving a universal need – making spoken English proficiency more accessible with sharp execution and deep product insight. Akshay and his team are building a truly global company from India, with early traction across LATAM and SEA geographies validating both the opportunity as well as the approach. As voice AI transforms learning, I believe Stimuler has built a platform to lead the category for the next billion users. We are excited to back their journey.”
Lightspeed is a global multi-stage venture capital firm focused on accelerating disruptive innovations and trends in the Enterprise, Consumer, Health, and Fintech sectors. Lightspeed and its global team currently manage $25B in AUM across the U.S., Europe, India, Israel, and Southeast Asia.
(With inputs from BL intern Rohan Das)
Published on April 30, 2025