As AI automates parts of the workforce, Emversity, an Indian workforce-training startup, is building talent pipelines for roles it sees AI can’t replace, and has raised $30 million in a new round to expand job-ready training in the world’s most populous market. The all-equity Series A round was led by Premji Invest, with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners and Z47, the Bengaluru-based startup announced on Thursday. The funding values Emversity at around $120 million post-money, sources confirm ...

Core Insights - Duolingo, Inc. (DUOL) experienced a significant decline from its peak in May 2025, which can be divided into two phases, with the first phase leading up to Q3 2025 earnings and a substantial reset in bookings [1] Group 1: Company Performance - The decline in Duolingo's stock price reflects a broader trend in the company's financial performance, particularly influenced by the earnings report and updated guidance [1] Group 2: Market Trends - The analysis indicates that the market's reaction to Duolingo's earnings and guidance has been critical in shaping investor sentiment and stock valuation [1]

Duolingo's 2025 was a wild ride. A sky-high valuation came back to earth, but the growth story remains intact.Shares of Duolingo(DUOL 5.10%) fell hard in 2025, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. The online and mobile language-learning expert started the year in fine form, as share prices reached a 66.8% year-to-date gain as of May 14. But that was a short-lived peak, and Duolingo ended 2025 at a 45.9% loss.What's up with this roller coaster? Duolingo's rise was no accidentDuolingo's rise ...

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chegg, Inc. (NYSE: CHGG), the leading student-first connected learning platform, announced today that it is scheduled to release its earnings results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year of 2025, which ended December 31, 2025, on February 9, 2026, after the market close. Chegg will host a conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and full year financial results at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time (4:30 p.m. Eastern Time) on the same day. To access the call. ...

Core Insights - A new language learning app, Vocabulary, has gained significant traction in the U.S. market, reaching the top 100 in downloads and generating substantial revenue [2][3][6] - The app focuses on vocabulary acquisition through a traditional method of flashcards, targeting advanced learners rather than casual users [4][5][21] Group 1: Product Performance - Vocabulary reached the 57th position on the U.S. iOS download chart, just two spots behind Duolingo, indicating strong market interest [3] - The app's revenue has shown rapid growth, with a reported daily revenue of $100,000 as of January 6, suggesting a potential monthly revenue of $1 million [3][27] - In December, the app generated $420,000 across both platforms, highlighting its financial viability [3] Group 2: Target Audience and Design - Vocabulary is designed for users seeking to enhance their vocabulary and expression skills, particularly those preparing for advanced English tests like GRE and GMAT [5][22] - The app employs a theme-driven content recommendation system, allowing users to select topics of interest and customize their learning experience [13][16] - Users undergo a detailed registration process to assess their vocabulary level and interests, which informs the app's content delivery [5][21] Group 3: User Experience and Features - The app utilizes a minimalist design focused on single-word flashcards, which helps users concentrate on learning without distractions [10][21] - Vocabulary allows users to customize their learning environment, including the ability to choose backgrounds and sounds, enhancing user engagement [21] - The app's notification system is user-driven, avoiding excessive prompts, which aligns with its target audience of self-motivated learners [19][21] Group 4: Market Position and User Feedback - Despite some criticism regarding its subscription model and perceived value, the app has a significant number of paying users, indicating a strong market demand [27][28] - User feedback highlights satisfaction with the app's core functionalities, such as word definitions and audio pronunciations, while concerns mainly revolve around the limitations of the free version [25][27] - The pricing structure is competitive, with options at $4.99 per month, $35.99 annually, and a one-time fee of $99.99 for lifetime access [27]

This story was originally published on CFO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Duolingo announced Gillian Munson — currently serving as head of its audit committee — will step in as CFO effective Feb. 23, according to a Monday press release and securities filing. She will succeed Matt Skaruppa, who is leaving the company after serving as its finance chief for six years. Co-founder and CEO Luis von Ahn credited Skaruppa as an “exception ...

Key Takeaways from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call covered various companies within the North American Internet sector, specifically focusing on web builders, digital advertising, eCommerce, EdTech, and online dating. Company-Specific Insights GoDaddy (GDDY) - Management is positive about GoDaddy's vibe coding strategy, focusing on current customers and web building, with cost guardrails in place [5] - The ANS marketplace was launched, but significant financial contributions are not expected until 2026 [5] - Growth drivers for A&C bookings in 2026 include Airo, P&B strategy, and seamless commerce experiences [5] - Airo is improving average order value (AOV) and retention metrics, with a focus on high lifetime value (LTV) customers [5] Wix (WIX) - Management expects approximately 25% free cash flow (FCF) margins in 2026, despite anticipated margin compression [7] - Gross margins are improving, but variability exists due to free users abandoning projects [7] - Wix is testing a new self-creator platform with more GenAI features, but price increases in 2026 are less likely [7] - Core Wix performance remains strong, but growth acceleration may be challenging [7] The Trade Desk (TTD) - Recent layoffs affected only 1% of headcount, aligning with product and engineering initiatives [8] - No expected impact from OMC and IPG consolidation; strong relationships with both companies [8] - Kokai adoption reached 85% in November, with expectations to reach 100% soon [8] Criteo (CRTO) - Management sees agentic commerce as a significant opportunity, leveraging commerce data for better ad spend efficiency [8] - Retail Media core is performing well, with good traction in auction-based display products [8] Zeta (ZETA) - OneZeta is a key growth factor for 2026, part of the Marigold acquisition strategy [9] - Athena is on track for general availability in 1Q, but management is cautious about setting high expectations [9] IAC (IAC) - Core assets are People and MGM, with management believing both are undervalued [9] - The M&A strategy will focus on digital publishing and content sites [9] eBay (EBAY) - Guidance indicates healthy US consumer spending but weak trends in Europe [10] - eBay's holiday window extends into 1Q, with a focus on collectibles [10] - Management expects to buy back 90-100% of normalized FCF in 2026 [10] Wayfair (W) - Management reiterated 4Q guidance, noting slight deterioration in industry volume levels [11] - Success in initiatives like loyalty programs and influencer marketing is driving share gains [11] - AI initiatives are expected to roll out in 2026, enhancing user experience [11] Duolingo (DUOL) - Focus remains on user growth trends, with certain features moved back in front of the paywall [12] - Management is experimenting with GenAI features to drive user engagement [14] Match Group (MTCH) - Product testing at Tinder is ongoing, with a focus on product outcomes over near-term monetization [15] - Face Check has been rolled out in the US, with revenue impact being optimized [15] Bumble (BMBL) - Management expects a peak in declines in 4Q, with initiatives aimed at improving user experience [15] - A new AI app is being tested to enhance onboarding and matching processes [15] Additional Insights - The overall sentiment across the companies indicates a cautious optimism, with many focusing on strategic initiatives to drive growth while managing costs and market challenges [5][7][8][9][10][11][12][14][15]

If you enjoyed this, consider Ian's Insider Corner to enjoy access to similar initiation reports for all the new stocks that we buy. Membership also includes an active chat room, weekly updates, and my responses to your questions.I was looking through a list of the biggest losing stocks in recent months, and Duolingo, Inc. ( DUOL ) stood out to me.Ian Bezek is a former hedge fund analyst at Kerrisdale Capital. He has spent the decade living in Latin America, doing the boots-on-the ground research for invest ...

Leadership Transition - Gillian Munson has been appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Duolingo, effective February 23, 2026, succeeding Matt Skaruppa, who will remain in an advisory role during the transition [1] - Matt Skaruppa has been with Duolingo for nearly six years, during which he led the company through a successful initial public offering and achieved six consecutive years of disciplined financial growth [2][3] Gillian Munson's Background - Munson has served on Duolingo's Board of Directors since 2019 and has extensive experience in financial leadership, having previously held CFO positions at Vimeo, Iora Health, and XO Group, among others [3][4] - She expressed enthusiasm for stepping into the CFO role, citing her respect for Duolingo's culture and commitment to education [4] Financial Performance Update - Duolingo reported a preliminary update for the fourth quarter of 2025, indicating a year-over-year growth of approximately 30% in Daily Active Users (DAU) and bookings expected to be at or slightly above the high end of the guidance range of $329.5 million to $335.5 million [5] - CEO Luis von Ahn emphasized the company's focus on improving teaching and user growth, indicating a commitment to invest in product development despite potential short-term trade-offs [6] Company Overview - Duolingo is recognized as the leading mobile learning platform globally, with its app being the most popular way to learn languages and the top-grossing app in the Education category on both Google Play and the Apple App Store [9] - The company is dedicated to providing an engaging and effective learning experience while striving to make quality education universally accessible [9]

Group 1 - The S&P 500 index is near an all-time high, largely driven by significant gains in major AI stocks, yet there are still attractive investment opportunities in the AI sector for those willing to explore beyond mainstream options [1] - Duolingo, the largest digital language-education platform, is leveraging AI to enhance its learning experience, which is creating new revenue opportunities [2][8] - Duolingo's stock has decreased by 67% from its peak, making it one of the cheapest stocks since its IPO in 2021, with analysts predicting a positive outlook for the stock [3] Group 2 - Duolingo's mobile-first approach and gamified learning experience have contributed to a 20% increase in monthly active users, reaching 135.3 million in Q3 2025 [5] - The company generates revenue through ads for free users and paid subscriptions, with a 34% year-over-year increase in paying subscribers, totaling 11.5 million [6] - The Max subscription tier offers advanced AI features, including Roleplay for conversational practice and Explain My Answer for personalized feedback [7]