Duolingo 2025 Investor Day Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Duolingo (NasdaqGS:DUOL) - **Event**: 2025 Investor Day - **Date**: September 16, 2025 Key Points Industry and Market Position - Duolingo aims to provide access to language education for everyone, regardless of financial status, addressing educational inequality [3][2] - Over 130 million active learners on Duolingo, with 90% learning for free [3] - Duolingo is used globally, with the most commonly learned language being English in most countries [4][5] Educational Approach and Features - Introduction of the **Duolingo Score**, a numerical representation of language proficiency ranging from 0 to 160 [8][9] - The score correlates with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), with specific ranges indicating different proficiency levels [10][11][12][13] - Courses are designed to help learners reach a score of 130, enabling them to qualify for knowledge jobs in the language learned [14][15] - Learning duration to reach various scores: - Score 30: 93 hours - Score 60: 192 hours - Score 100: 397 hours - Score 130: 550 hours [16][18] Learning Tools and Engagement - Features like leaderboards and friend streaks are implemented to motivate learners [19] - Different lesson types evolve with the learner's score, including adventures, Duo Radio, and stories [20][21][24] - Research indicates that Duolingo's teaching effectiveness has improved over time, with learners achieving better results in recent years [26][28] Certification and Partnerships - The **Duolingo English Test** offers a certified score for language proficiency, accepted by 99 of the top 100 U.S. universities [30] - Aiming for the Duolingo Score to become a global standard for language proficiency, with integration into platforms like LinkedIn [49][52] New Features and Innovations - Introduction of **video call** feature with a conversational agent named Lily, designed to provide real-time speaking practice [34][35] - Ongoing enhancements to the video call experience, including personalized support and feedback mechanisms [41][43] - Launch of **Duolingo Math**, expanding the platform's educational offerings beyond language learning [72] Chess Course Launch - Duolingo has introduced a chess course, emphasizing strategic thinking and problem-solving skills [80][87] - The course includes lessons, mini matches, and a capstone experience against a character named Oscar [90][92] User Testimonials and Impact - Personal stories highlight the transformative impact of Duolingo on learners' lives, including success in higher education and career opportunities [74][76][78] Additional Insights - The focus on gamification and personalization in learning experiences is a key strategy for maintaining user engagement [43][44] - Continuous A/B testing is employed to refine app features and improve user experience based on data-driven insights [64][66][70] This summary encapsulates the core themes and developments discussed during the Duolingo 2025 Investor Day, highlighting the company's commitment to accessible education and innovative learning solutions.

Core Insights - Duolingo announced significant product updates at Duocon 2025, including integration of Duolingo Score with LinkedIn and expansion of the Duolingo Chess course [1][2] - The integration allows users to showcase their language skills on LinkedIn, enhancing the connection between language proficiency and professional opportunities [2] - The Duolingo Chess course has gained popularity since its iOS launch in June 2025, now expanding to Android with new features like player-versus-player mode [3][8] Product Updates - The Duolingo Score can now be linked to LinkedIn profiles, providing a real-time reflection of language skills [2] - Duolingo Chess is now available on Android, featuring live coaching and a new PvP mode for competitive learning [3][8] - The company emphasizes the use of AI and experimentation to enhance learning experiences, including improvements to its AI-powered Video Call feature [4][5] Learning Experience Enhancements - The AI-driven Video Call feature is now available for nine popular courses, offering real-time feedback and personalized interactions [5] - Duolingo employs rigorous A/B testing to refine its product offerings, ensuring data-informed decisions that enhance user engagement and learning outcomes [6] Company Overview - Duolingo is the leading mobile learning platform, offering a wide range of courses in languages, math, music, and chess, with over 250 language courses available [7] - The company's mission is to provide the best education globally and make it universally accessible [7]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expects a full-year gross margin decline of about 150 basis points year-over-year, with Q1 showing a better-than-expected decline of 200 basis points instead of the anticipated 300 basis points [11][12] - The average revenue per user is in the $6 range, indicating a strong value proposition [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Duolingo Max now accounts for about 7% of subscribers, showing impressive growth and contributing to a strong Q1 performance [31] - The company added 48 new language courses in a year, significantly faster than the previous pace of course additions [32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Daily active users (DAUs) grew by 49% year-over-year, with strong growth across all regions, including mature markets [37][39] - The company has 30 million active users, indicating substantial room for growth in the language learning market, which has an estimated 2 billion learners globally [39] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to expand beyond language learning into subjects like math, music, and chess, with a focus on creating content that is beneficial for users and society [79] - AI is a central part of the company's strategy, enabling faster content creation and improved teaching methods [114][115] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the roadmap for 2025, noting no significant changes in trends due to macroeconomic factors [20] - The company is committed to being AI-first, focusing on automating processes while investing in new AI features [116][118] Other Important Information - The company is testing pricing strategies and may adjust features across different subscription tiers [102][105] - Marketing efforts will continue to leverage social media for efficient user acquisition and engagement [96][98] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the cadence of gross margin for the year? - The company expects a 150 basis point decline for the full year, with Q1 showing a better performance than anticipated [11][12] Question: What are the expectations for new language modules? - The company is excited about the addition of chess and other subjects, which are expected to increase user engagement [14][15] Question: Are there any signs of macro softness affecting the business? - Management has not observed any significant changes in trends due to the macro environment and remains confident in the business outlook [20][21] Question: How is the company prioritizing new content production? - The focus remains on language learning, but there will be significant improvements in math and music content due to AI [65] Question: What is the impact of Duolingo Max on subscriber conversion rates? - The company believes that Max has a positive impact on platform lifetime value and is seeing upgrades from Super subscribers [131]