Toko
YC W22New York City, US · Founded 2021 · 5 employees · 8 known investors
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528 people in our graph share verified history with the Toko team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Nina Achadjianunlockedknows Erica Du · together at Google (overlapped)
×3knows the team · via MIT Global Startup Labs - South Africa
×4knows the team · via Google
knows the team · via Codecademy
×2knows the team · via Cornell Tech
knows the team · via Robin Hood
Toko is an AI-powered English conversation tutor that provides personalized speaking practice with real-time grammar and pronunciation feedback. It serves English learners globally with 1,000+ conversation topics, exam preparation modules, and workplace communication training.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechAI-Enhanced LearningEducationGenerative AIMachine LearningConsumerUnited States of AmericaAmerica / Canada
Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (W22)
Toko was founded in 2021 by Jen Liu and Erica Du.
JL
Jen LiuinCofounder & CEOShe previously worked as an engineer and product manager at Quizlet, where she led initiatives in AI-powered learning, mobile subscriptions, and international expansion, and founded Uplevel, a coach-matching service. She holds a degree in Computer Science and Engineering from MIT.
Investors · 8
GSV VenturesSan Francisco · $250K – $15M
Pi CampusRome · $55K – $540K
ProgressionSan Francisco · $100K – $1M
Y CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K
Commerce VenturesreportedSan Francisco · $1M – $5M
Fatima Gobi VenturesreportedLahore · $1.5M – $22M
Integra PartnersreportedSingapore · $1.5M – $18M
Jam FundreportedLos Angeles · $500K – $20M
Competitors · 4
by search overlap
Speak24 shared keywordsSpeak is an AI-powered language learning platform that uses a proprietary curriculum to teach users conversational language through personalized lessons, practice exercises, and real-time interaction with a tutor.
Magoosh23 shared keywordsMagoosh is an online test preparation service offering video lessons, practice questions, flashcard apps, and score predictors for standardized exams such as the GRE and TOEFL. It serves students preparing for graduate school and other admissions tests, positioning itself as a lower-cost alternative to classroom courses and prep books.
Hallo18 shared keywordsHallo provides AI-driven language proficiency assessments across speaking, writing, listening, and reading in over 80 languages for global hiring and candidate evaluation. The platform delivers instant CEFR scores and detailed feedback on fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
Fluently15 shared keywordsFluently is an AI-powered language learning platform that enables real-time conversation practice, pronunciation training, and interactive feedback for English learners. The service targets both individual learners and teams seeking to improve English speaking skills in a judgment-free environment.
Companies competing with Toko for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Toko do?
- Toko is an AI-powered English conversation tutor that provides personalized speaking practice with real-time grammar and pronunciation feedback. It serves English learners globally with 1,000+ conversation topics, exam preparation modules, and workplace communication training.
- Who founded Toko?
- Toko was founded by Jen Liu, Erica Du in 2021.
- Who are Toko's investors?
- Toko's investors include GSV Ventures, Pi Campus, Progression, Y Combinator, Commerce Ventures, Fatima Gobi Ventures, Integra Partners, Jam Fund.
- Where is Toko headquartered?
- Toko is headquartered in New York City, US.