About 51Talk
51Talk is a company based in Beijing (China) founded in 2011.. 51Talk has raised $89 million across 5 funding rounds from investors including DCM, Shunwei Capital and Sequoia Capital. The company has 539 employees as of December 31, 2024. 51Talk has completed 2 acquisitions, including 91Waijiao and Koala Reading. 51Talk operates in a competitive market with competitors including Open English, Busuu, Tandem, Voxy and Speak, among others.
- Headquarter Beijing, China
- Employees 539 as on 31 Dec, 2024
- Stage Public
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Sectors
Education
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Phone
*********
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Website
*********
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Social
*********
- Legal Name 51Talk Online Education Group Sponsored Adr
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Annual Revenue
$50.72 M87.24as on Dec 31, 2024
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Net Profit
$-7.24 M51.8as on Dec 31, 2024
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EBITDA
$-7.91 M41.61as on Dec 31, 2024
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Total Equity Funding
$89 M (USD)
in 5 rounds
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Latest Funding Round
$20 M (USD), Series D
Jun 01, 2015
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Investors
DCM
& 3 more
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Employee Count
539
as on Dec 31, 2024
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Investments & Acquisitions
91Waijiao
& 1 more
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IPO & Listings of 51Talk
51Talk is a publicly listed company on the AMEX with ticker symbol COE in USA, operating in the Technology services sector. As a publicly traded entity, the company provides investors with opportunities to participate in its growth story through equity ownership. The listing enables access to capital markets, enhances corporate visibility, and provides liquidity for shareholders while maintaining transparency through regulatory compliance and regular financial disclosures.
Funding Insights of 51Talk
51Talk has successfully raised a total of $89M across 5 strategic funding rounds. The most recent funding activity was a Series D round of $20 million completed in June 2015. This substantial capital infusion reflects strong investor confidence in the company's business model, growth potential, and market opportunities. The funding enables strategic expansion, product development, market penetration, and operational scaling to drive long-term value creation and competitive advantage.
- Total Funding Total Funding
- Total Rounds 5
- Last Round Series D — $20.0M
- First Round First Round
- Investors Count 4
| Date | Amount | Transaction Name | Valuation | Lead Investors | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun, 2015 | Amount | Series D - 51Talk | Valuation |
investors |
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| Oct, 2014 | Amount | Series C - 51Talk | Valuation |
investors |
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| Dec, 2013 | Amount | Series B - 51Talk | Valuation |
investors |
| Date | Amount | Transaction Name | Valuation | Lead Investors | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Feb, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Jan, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Feb, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
Investors in 51Talk
51Talk has secured backing from 4 investors, including venture fund investors. Prominent investors backing the company include DCM, Shunwei Capital and Sequoia Capital. This diverse investor base provides strategic capital, industry expertise, and valuable network connections that support the company's growth initiatives, market expansion, and long-term value creation.
| Investor | Description | Founded Year | Domain | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Tech-focused seed, early, and mid-stage VC investments are made globally.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Venture capital fund focused on mobile, internet, deep technology, rural internet, AI, and multiple sectors
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Sequoia Capital is engaged in venture capital investments.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location |
| Investor | Description | Founded Year | Domain | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Single family office of Amitabh Bachchan, founder of Amitabh Bachchan Corporation or AB CORP
|
Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Startup ecosystems are ignited through strategic investments by Signite Partners.
|
Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Venture capital is directed toward companies in multiple sectors.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Venture capital is invested in cybersecurity, fintech, and AI startups.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location |
Investments & Acquisitions by 51Talk
51Talk has strategically engaged in corporate development activities, having acquired 2 companies. Notable acquisitions include 91Waijiao and Koala Reading. These strategic investments and acquisitions demonstrate the company's commitment to growth through portfolio expansion, market consolidation, technology integration, and strategic partnerships that enhance competitive positioning and drive long-term value creation.
| Company Name | Description | Domain | Location | Founded Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Bionic investment advisor platform
|
2016 | ||||
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Fine Asian gourmet food is offered by an internet-first restaurant.
|
2016 | ||||
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Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
|
2014 | ||||
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Fine Asian gourmet food is offered by an internet-first restaurant.
|
2016 |
| Company Name | Description | Domain | Location | Founded Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Platform for development of reading skill for K-12
|
2016 | ||||
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Chinese learners are connected online with foreign English teachers.
|
2013 |
| Company Name | Description | Domain | Location | Founded Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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OVO is recognized as a smart digital payment application.
|
2017 | ||||
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Bionic investment advisor platform
|
2016 | ||||
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Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
|
2014 | ||||
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Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
|
2014 |
Financial Statements - 51Talk
| Date | Amount | Transaction Name | Valuation | Lead Investors | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
|
| Feb, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
|
| Jan, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
|
| Feb, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
51Talk Comparisons
Competitors of 51Talk
51Talk operates in a dynamic and competitive business environment, facing competition from various established players and emerging companies in the market. The competitive landscape includes prominent companies such as Open English, Busuu, Tandem, Voxy and Speak, among others. This competitive environment drives innovation, market differentiation, and strategic positioning as companies strive to capture market share and deliver value to their customers. Understanding the competitive dynamics is crucial for assessing market positioning, identifying growth opportunities, and navigating the challenges inherent in a competitive marketplace.
| Company Name | Domain | Founded year | HQ Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Online platform providing live English classes
|
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Social networking for language learning is enabled via mobile platform.
|
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
A language learning app facilitating user-driven conversation exchanges.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
English language learning through online courses and tutoring
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Speak is recognized as an AI-driven language learning application.
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| Company Name | Domain | Founded year | HQ Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Multiple services are booked via an app-based platform.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
On-demand services are booked through an app-based platform.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
App based platform offering on demand delivery and ride-hailing services
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Operates an on-demand hyperlocal delivery app for food and groceries.
|
Latest news on 51Talk
Frequently Asked Questions about 51Talk
When was 51Talk founded?
51Talk was founded in 2011.
Where is 51Talk located?
51Talk is headquartered in Beijing, China.
Is 51Talk a funded company?
51Talk is a funded company, having raised a total of $89M across 5 funding rounds to date. The company's 1st funding round was a Series B of $12M, raised on Jun 01, 2011.
How many employees does 51Talk have?
As of Dec 31, 2024, the latest employee count at 51Talk is 539.
What is the annual revenue of 51Talk?
Annual revenue of 51Talk is $50.72M as on Dec 31, 2024.
What does 51Talk do?
51Talk was founded in 2011 in Beijing, China, within the online education sector. One-to-one English lessons are delivered via an e-learning platform, featuring teachers mainly from Southeast Asian countries who speak English natively. Affordable courses are made available to users. Offline experience centers are being established in first-tier cities like Beijing and Shanghai to expand operations, mirroring strategies adopted by competitor Hujiang.
Is 51Talk publicly traded?
Yes, 51Talk is publicly traded on AMEX under the ticker symbol COE.
How many acquisitions has 51Talk made?
51Talk has made 2 acquisitions, including 91Waijiao, and Koala Reading.
Who are 51Talk's investors?
51Talk has 4 investors. Key investors include DCM, Shunwei Capital, Sequoia Capital, and Zhen Fund.
What is 51Talk's ticker symbol?
The ticker symbol of 51Talk is COE on AMEX.
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