Univerbal
YC W23Zürich, CH · Founded 2023 · 3 employees · 1 known investors
Univerbal is an AI-powered language learning app that enables users to practice conversational skills across 20+ languages through realistic dialogue scenarios with instant feedback and personalized progression. The app serves self-directed language learners seeking to improve speaking fluency at their own pace without pressure from human instructors.
Also known as Quazel · Univerbal (formerly Quazel)
Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (W23)
Univerbal was founded in 2023 by Philipp Hadjimina, Samuel Bissegger, and David Niederberger.
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Philipp HadjiminainFounder & CEO2022–2025Philipp holds a Computer Science degree from ETH Zurich and conducted graduate research in NLP at UC Berkeley. He founded Univerbal after observing how personalized tutoring tailored to individual interests and needs can accelerate language learning outcomes.
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Samuel BisseggerinFounderSamuel Bissegger holds a master's degree in general management from HSG and co-founded Univerbal, where he works on AI-driven language learning technology.
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David NiederbergerinFounder2022–2024David Niederberger co-founded Quazel and is completing a graduate degree in Computer Science from ETH Zurich with a focus on data science and explainable AI. He works on language learning applications incorporating natural language processing.
Investors · 1
The YC application· Winter 2023 batch
What they told YC
- Describe what your company does in 50 characters or less.
- The founders describe the product as conversational language practice through talking with AI.
- What is your company going to make? Please describe your product and what it does or will do.
- The company builds a chatbot app for learning conversational fluency in a foreign language, where learners record spoken responses and an LLM-based AI replies in unscripted dialogue. A scene builder lets users define the topic, conversation partner, setting, and role they want to practice, and predefined scenes cover specific vocabulary areas such as getting to know someone or public transportation. Within each scene, learners can analyze the grammar of their responses or request hints. A beta is available at talk.quazel.com.
Summarized from the founders' answers on their Y Combinator profile.
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Univerbal do?
- Univerbal is an AI-powered language learning app that enables users to practice conversational skills across 20+ languages through realistic dialogue scenarios with instant feedback and personalized progression. The app serves self-directed language learners seeking to improve speaking fluency at their own pace without pressure from human instructors.
- Who founded Univerbal?
- Univerbal was founded by Philipp Hadjimina, Samuel Bissegger, David Niederberger in 2023.
- Who are Univerbal's investors?
- Univerbal's investors include Y Combinator.
- Where is Univerbal headquartered?
- Univerbal is headquartered in Zürich, CH.