Nigeria’s Lingawa Secures USD 1.1 M to Promote African Language Learning

Nigeria-based edtech company Lingawa, formerly TopSet, has raised USD 1.1 M in pre-seed funding to advance its African language learning platform. Investors in the round include Voltron Capital, Zrosk, WEAV Capital, MasterCard Foundation, Kaleo Ventures, and Dara Treseder, the Chief Marketing Officer of Autodesk and former CMO of Peloton.

Founded in 2022 by Frank Williams, Lingawa has pivoted from academic tutoring to a focus on preserving and teaching indigenous African languages. The platform currently offers courses in Yoruba and Igbo, aiming to meet the growing demand for language preservation among Africans and the diaspora.

This funding will enable Lingawa to enhance its platform, expand its offerings to include more languages, and support efforts to foster cultural preservation through language education. The company’s mission is aligned with increasing global interest in indigenous languages and cultural heritage.