Preply is a global online language-learning marketplace that connects learners with expert tutors for personalized 1-on-1 lessons. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Preply co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Dmytro Voloshyn to learn more.
Dmytro Voloshyn’s Background
Could you tell me more about your background? Voloshyn said:
“I’m originally from Ukraine and began my career as a software developer before transitioning into entrepreneurship. I’ve had a deep passion for artificial intelligence and machine learning for as long as I can remember.”
“I hold a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and pursued doctoral studies in machine learning and AI before launching Preply. Today, I lead our technology strategy and innovation roadmap as we work to reshape the future of online language learning.”
“AI has been at the core of Preply since day one. From building our original machine learning systems for tutor-student matching to leading our most recent work in generative AI, I’ve been closely involved in ensuring technology remains a key driver of Preply’s impact and growth.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Voloshyn shared:
“The idea for Preply came from our own experiences learning English. My co-founder, Kirill Bigai, and I both felt that to be a part of the global community and to succeed as entrepreneurs, learning English would be key.”
“We tried many different methods, from in-person classes, to one-on-one human tutoring, and finally Skype classes. At that time, video platforms were not what they are today, and we saw an opportunity to bring flexibility to learners and tutors around the world by connecting them in a way that hadn’t previously been possible.”
“Today, 90% of our lessons happen across borders, meaning that people are able to learn with the best tutors around the world from their living rooms. We’re excited to keep building on this vision, to help millions more people to connect, belong and progress through language learning.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Voloshyn reflected:
“I think my favorite memory changes every year. At Preply, we have our annual One Preply event, where teammates from Kyiv, London, New York, and Barcelona come together, usually in Barcelona, for a full day to celebrate the past year.”
“We look at our customers’ journeys, share how the business has grown, and spend quality time together as a team. Seeing everyone in one place, people who usually work across different hubs or remotely, brings a huge amount of energy and joy.”
“What I love most is realizing that each year the company is different: bigger, better, more mature. The product improves, the service improves, and the team operates at a higher level. One of our core values is raising the bar, and this event reflects that every single year—in scale, in quality, and in ambition.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Voloshyn explained:
“At its core, Preply is a human-led, AI-enhanced marketplace that connects tutors and learners for live, 1:1 lessons. We are the largest global marketplace of our kind, connecting more than 100,000 tutors with learners across 180 countries.”
“But we are more than just a platform that connects people. Lessons take place in the Preply Classroom, a fully integrated learning space with built-in video conferencing, chat and file sharing capabilities, and interactive learning tools.”
“Preply’s AI-supported tutoring co-pilot suite also helps both learners and tutors throughout the entire learning process: from matching, to tracking progress, to providing learning exercises between lessons. It also helps tutors with lesson planning and administrative tasks, so they can focus on what matters most: teaching.”
Challenges Faced
Have you faced any challenges in your sector of work recently? Voloshyn acknowledged:
“As we grow, the challenges change every year. In my role as CTO, the biggest ongoing challenge is ensuring we consistently deliver value to our customers while building a platform that truly serves our community of 100,000 tutors and millions of learners worldwide.”
“We’re building one of the largest learning marketplaces globally, with an unprecedented amount of data about how people learn languages—arguably more than anyone else. Turning that data into better features, personalization, and outcomes at scale is a major technical challenge.”
“At the same time, it’s also a people and organizational challenge. We’re around 700 people across Kyiv, Barcelona, London and New York, and we plan to hire at least 100 more engineers in the next year. Scaling teams while maintaining quality, alignment, and excitement around our mission—redefining the future of learning—is something we actively work on every day.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Voloshyn noted:
“Since the beginning, we made a few key technology choices that strongly shaped how well the company could scale and operate. Early on, we focused on two core languages—Python and JavaScript—for the main product, became early adopters of React Native for mobile, and built a close partnership with AWS as our primary cloud provider.”
“What’s important for us is not technology for its own sake, but whether it solves real customer problems and scales with the business. Our current stack has scaled very well, and we continue to evolve it where it adds clear value.”
“More recently, that evolution includes partnering with OpenAI to use large language models at scale, as well as building a modern data platform with clear separation across operational databases, data lakes, and data warehouses.”
“We treat technology as a tool, not an end goal. We regularly review past decisions, make adjustments where needed, and introduce new technologies only when there’s a clear necessity. Where the problem is commoditized, we strongly prefer buying from proven vendors rather than building in-house.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Voloshyn cited:
“I’d say that our first major milestone in achieving international growth was graduating from TechStars Berlin, an accelerator that helped us refine our product and put us on an international stage, connecting us with a network of mentors and potential investors. This was in 2015. Preply evolved a lot during that time and grew from its early beginnings to serve learners across borders. It really marked the beginning of the global platform that you see today.”
“Since then, we’ve surpassed many important milestones in terms of funding and global expansion. Most recently, we announced our Series D round, valuing the company at $1.2 billion. Along the way, we’ve expanded our presence in Kyiv and Barcelona, and opened new office locations in London and New York, strengthening our footprint and growing the company to more than 700 employees.”
“While these are all impressive moments and exciting parts of our business trajectory, it’s the everyday breakthroughs, learnings and even setbacks that have shaped our product and our culture. Those are just as important to celebrate.”
Customer Success Stories
Can you share any specific customer success stories? Voloshyn highlighted:
“Yes, and we love sharing them. We recently launched a campaign celebrating tutor-student progress, and one story especially stuck out to me.”
“We have one learner in the U.S. who works in a mental health clinic, with many Spanish speaking clients. He started learning Spanish on Preply with a goal of being able to communicate essential information and navigate basic interactions. Today, he speaks Spanish fluently, and is now certified to conduct psychiatric evaluations and provide counseling services in Spanish within the Emergency Department. Thanks to his commitment to language learning, he is now saving lives. He credits this to his Preply tutor of the last 7 years.”
“Not all success stories take years of practice. We hear from learners who, even after a few lessons, feel more confident speaking up in meetings, preparing for a move abroad, or are excited about finally being able to order a coffee in a different language. This feedback loop is what makes building Preply so rewarding.”
Funding/Revenue
Are you able to discuss funding and/or revenue metrics? Voloshyn revealed:
“With our latest series D, Preply’s total lifetime funding is nearly $300 million. We don’t take this lightly. Every dollar invested in Preply is one that we want to be intentional about using to create long-term impact.”
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Voloshyn assessed:
“The market for language learning is massive, and right now we’re barely scratching the surface. Today, 1 in 4 people globally – almost 2 billion people – are actively learning a second or additional language. We anticipate this number to grow with increased globalization and access to technology.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Voloshyn affirmed:
“Two things really differentiate us. First, our global marketplace. The depth, diversity, and quality of our tutors is unmatched.”
“Second, our belief that the best learning experience comes from the combination of human connection and AI. We don’t try to replace humans, we amplify them.”
“We also tend to attract what we call “serious learners” – meaning individuals who are here to achieve a specific goal. Whether that means upskilling for a career opportunity, looking to connect with family or friends, or wanting to adapt to a new environment, they are intentional about learning.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Voloshyn concluded:
“Our main focus going into 2026 is continuing to grow in a sustainable way. That means deepening brand awareness and market penetration in the regions where we’re already strong, while also starting to explore opportunities in other fast-growing markets, including parts of Asia and the Middle East.”
“At the same time, we’re staying very focused on the product. We’ll keep investing in improving the learning experience and strengthening our AI capabilities so that learners can make progress faster and more confidently than ever before.”
“Looking ahead, milestones and growth metrics are important, but what matters most to us is delivering the most human and effective way to learn. We want to keep raising the bar on the platform so we can create meaningful impact for learners and tutors around the world.”
“At the end of the day, our mission is to understand how people learn better than anyone else, and to turn that into a truly category-defining brand over time.”
