KINGS LEARNING, an English-language tutoring app primarily focused on students in India, has snagged $2.5 million in a funding round led by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Kings’ mobile app, Enguru, teaches English in a user’s native language and has been downloaded about 2 million times, according to an announcement on VCCircle.
The app covers both basic and advanced English-language skills for a variety of settings, including business and casual phrases, suggestions for improving tone and projecting confidence while speaking. Like many learning apps, it uses an adaptive algorithm that adjusts to user preferences and abilities—and of course there are plenty of badges and social sharing options to promote progress.
“English has become a ticket to enter the booming knowledge-driven job economy of India. However, [few] have access to quality English language training,” says Prachi Windlass, the education director for India for the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation in prepared statement. “Almost half of the graduates in India, primarily from underprivileged backgrounds, are considered unemployable in most sectors due to the lack of spoken English skills.”
The Michael & Susan Dell foundation has invested or plans to invest around $50 million in Indian companies and startups focused on education. It has already supported two test prep providers and the education loan firm Shiksha.
