Conversifi

Conversifi operates a video-chat platform that connects university language learners with fluent or native-speaking peers in other countries for one-on-one conversations. Instructors select and assign discussion topics from a library of hundreds of conversation guides, which are designed to map to textbooks, OER materials, and other language-learning tools and apps so that sessions stay at a level appropriate for the class. Students can connect on demand or schedule conversations, and are supported by coaches and a live customer service team.

Sessions are recorded so learners can review their progress and so instructors can more easily carry out communication assessments; learners and coaches also exchange personalized feedback after each call. The platform positions itself as content-based, safe and video-recorded, with live technical support. Languages currently offered are Spanish, French, English, Portuguese and American Sign Language, with Arabic and Hebrew described as forthcoming. Ancillary features include a practice chatbot ("Faia") and module prep sheets documented in the company help center.

Founding story

Conversifi was co-founded by Steven Krubiner and Kate Liburdi, who met as classmates at MIT; the company describes the business as primarily Krubiner's idea. Krubiner spent 15 years in conflict resolution and cites a 2006 assignment moving from Jerusalem to Madrid for six months to help coordinate an Arab-Israeli peace conference hosted by the King of Spain and sponsored by the Spanish Foreign Ministry, chosen because he spoke Spanish, Hebrew, Arabic and English. Liburdi's motivation came from studying French for four years and then finding in Paris that she could read and write the language but not speak it. The stated founding idea was to reproduce the experience of practicing a language with locals abroad from the learner's home via video chat.

Business model

Conversifi sells access to conversation sessions through its platform. Universities and instructors reserve seats for their classes, while students use a token system to pay for calls; tokens are purchased in the platform's Payments tab and are also sold in discounted bundles assembled with input from instructors — for example a 10-token bundle priced at $63 including the subscription fee, versus $108 if items are purchased separately. The most popular package comprises 10 sessions. The company also describes partnerships with publishers and language-learning apps as part of its model.

Per-session token purchases and discounted token bundles bought by students, alongside seat reservations made by instructors and universities; a subscription fee is bundled into certain token packages.

Traction

Company materials report over 100 universities using the platform, and separately 130+ universities, 100,000+ sessions and 12+ countries, with 34 new universities added in 2021 and a maximum of 159 sessions completed by a single student in one semester. Survey figures cited include 9 out of 10 instructors willing to recommend the service, 96% of instructors saying it meets students at their level, and 78% of students reporting improved confidence.

Latest developments

The current site lists Spanish, French, English, Portuguese and American Sign Language as available, with Arabic and Hebrew announced as coming soon, and solicits faculty sign-ups and seat reservations for the current term. The company states it is growing and is open to conversations with investors about accelerating growth.