Toko was founded by Jen Liu, Erica Du in 2021.

Who are Toko's investors?

Toko's investors include Epakon Capital, GSV Ventures, Pi Campus, Progression, Soma Capital, Y Combinator, Commerce Ventures, Fatima Gobi Ventures and 2 more.

Where is Toko headquartered?

Toko is headquartered in New York City, US.

Toko

YC W22

New York City, US · Founded 2021 · 5 employees · 10 known investors

Find your way into Toko

Paths you didn't know you had: your email and LinkedIn already hold routes to the Toko team. We find them for you
2nd- and 3rd-degree connections: the friend-of-a-friend routes that take hours to manually find through your inbox or LinkedIn
Answers now, not in days: momentum is everything in a raise. Skip asking around whether someone knows someone

Days of research, done the moment you sign in, with every route ranked by how warm it is.

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 Learning EdTech AI-Enhanced Learning Education Generative AI Machine Learning ConsumerUnited States of AmericaAmerica / Canada

Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (W22)

Toko was founded in 2021 by Jen Liu and Erica Du.

Jen Liu Cofounder & 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.

Erica Du Co-Founder & CTOShe previously worked in engineering roles at Palantir, Codecademy, and Google, and conducted research at MIT and Cornell Tech.

Kenny WongFounding Engineer

Investors · 10

Epakon Capitallisted by Epakon CapitalLos Angeles · $50K – $1M

How we know: Epakon Capital's portfolio page · Not right? Tell us

GSV Ventureslisted by GSV VenturesSan Francisco · $250K – $15M

How we know: GSV Ventures's portfolio page · funding news · the VCSheet dataset · Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Pi Campuslisted by Pi CampusRome · $55K – $540K

How we know: open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Progressionlisted by ProgressionSan Francisco · $100K – $1M

How we know: the VCSheet dataset · Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Soma Capitallisted by Soma CapitalSacramento · $100K – $300K

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · somacap.com · Not right? Tell us

Y Combinatorlisted by Y CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K

How we know: the Y Combinator directory · funding news · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us

Commerce VenturesreportedSan Francisco · $1M – $5M

How we know: press coverage · Not right? Tell us

Fatima Gobi VenturesreportedLahore

How we know: press coverage · Not right? Tell us

Integra PartnersreportedSingapore

How we know: press coverage · Not right? Tell us

Jam FundreportedLos Angeles · $500K – $20M

How we know: press coverage · Not right? Tell us

Related companies · 9

SpeakSpeak 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.

OpennoteOpennote is an AI-powered learning platform that consolidates lecture materials, notes, and readings in one place and provides contextual explanations, practice tools, and video tutorials to help students understand course content.

MagooshMagoosh 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.

MySiviMySivi is an app that combines AI tutoring and human instruction to help users practice English conversation and improve their speaking ability.

HalloHallo 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.

WonderingWondering is a mobile learning app that breaks down topics such as machine learning, quantum mechanics, and product design into short lessons combining visuals, podcasts, and interactive exercises. Its learning paths are tailored to each user's background, learning style, and desired depth.

StuddyStuddy is an AI-powered tutoring platform that provides personalized 1:1 lessons via an interactive whiteboard for students learning academic subjects. The service covers a wide range of topics including math, chemistry, physics, and organic chemistry, and helps students improve understanding and academic performance.

FluentlyFluently 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.

JovianJovian offers beginner-friendly online courses in programming, data science, machine learning, and web development, with a focus on practical, hands-on learning using Python and related tools. The platform serves aspiring developers and data professionals through structured courses with lessons, assignments, and cloud-based project environments.

Companies working in the same space as Toko.

Legal entities · 1

corporate structure

Toko Inc.

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 Epakon Capital, GSV Ventures, Pi Campus, Progression, Soma Capital, Y Combinator, Commerce Ventures, Fatima Gobi Ventures and 2 more.
Where is Toko headquartered?: Toko is headquartered in New York City, US.