Most platforms teach you to read or speak a new language, this one makes you think in one!

Heyyyo!

So, this is a fun one (not that all my pitch reviews aren’t 🤷‍♂️), but I know the founder Gabe very well — actually I was an advisor for a short period. With that, there is of course some pressure to be both fair and unbiased. I shall do my best!

In other news, Songfinch just crossed a massive milestone that we cannot wait to share in the coming weeks 🤑 

It’s incredible to write these pitch reviews with a different lens as a founder working to scale a D2C business in these wild times. I only hope that it helps me provide you all with even better insight into the probability of success of the many companies I am fortunate enough to review!

Company Overview

Brief: Fluent Forever uses a personalized approach to help people learn languages. Fluent Forever’s app and coaching are based on neuroscience and designed to help people remember a language for the long-term. Gabriel Wyner founded Fluent Forever in April 2018 and previously raised $1.7 million between crowdfunding platforms Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

Key People: CEO Gabriel Wyner (his 2014 book Fluent Forever is a WSJ and USA Today bestseller), CTO John Rush (25 years of experience at Microsoft, Google, and Intel)

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Terms

View on Republic: Term Sheet

Security Type: Crowd SAFE

Valuation: $35,000,000

Amount Raised: $245,762

Minimum Investment: $150

Takeaway

Here's what I like: This is easy. Gabe is one of the most passionate and driven founders I’ve ever met. As I mentioned above, I was an advisor for a short period and I do not spend my time on people that are not as committed to winning as Gabe is!

Secondly, I’ve never seen an approach to language-learning like Fluent Forever.

I’ve interviewed or reviewed no less than 7 pitches from language-solving founders and Fluent Forever (I’ll call it FF for short) was by far the one that stood out. If you don’t believe me just read Gabe’s book or watch his Ted Talk. If that doesn’t convince you that his approach to learning a new language is different, nothing I say from here-on will.

Speaking of Gabe, he is dynamic and driven like nobody else I know..like annoyingly so (sorry Gabe). At this stage, 90% of the bet is on the founder and he is one I will vouch for every time and never look back.

Lastly, the business is more versatile than it might appear. D2C is the core, but there is 100% an opportunity to sell direct to businesses that operate globally. And, if FF can crack that D2B2C market, there are no shortage of massive language and edu companies that are in desperate need of a curveball to stave off all the upstarts.

If FF gets it right, they’re an acquisition waiting to happen.

Here's what I don't love: If I am being honest, the reason I hesitated back when he asked me to advise was because nobody has fully cracked the code on this. Not because of demand or technical needs… simply put, people are fucking lazy. Like a diet or exercise tool, people quit when the going gets tough. And in my mind, there are few things on Earth more intimidating than learning a new language.

Gabe and FF cracked the code IMO by creating a simple, repetition-based model that gets you to think in a new language vs memorization. Which, as it turns out, actually increases the speed to fluidity. That said, I am not big on betting on humans to do the right thing (sorry if that comes off pessimistic). It’s just a reality of selling D2C or even D2B2C. People are unreliable.

So with dozens of competitors in the space, the bet is that Gabe and his team can rise above it and get this product in the hands of millions of people.

Who should invest and why: Here’s the deal — if I am betting on a founder, I’d always bet on Gabe. But, it’s never that simple. Additionally, the product is fantastic… even space cadet Scott was able to learn some shit. But, I’d be lying if I didn't say it’s an uphill battle. Now… for the insider info!

I have received just about every investor update Gabe has ever sent. He doesn’t miss a deadline (EVER). Good, bad or ugly, he shoots it straight. I respect that a lot. It’s a rarity in the “business dude lorem ipsum” world we currently inhabit.

As for those updates, I’m sworn to secrecy, but I can share that he has managed the team and dollars like a pro. During peak Covid, business was booming and he didn’t over-hire or miss the opportunity to scale exponentially, nor did he fail to cut weight and level-set once we hit choppy market waters.

To me, that is the best sign of a star operator.

So, if you are interested in learning a new language, invest and give it a try, you won’t regret it — besides minimums are low ($150) and there’s plenty of free perks. As for a HUGE outcome, TBD. The market is sufficient and the product clearly differentiates itself… but it’s still an uphill battle with startup comps like Toucan out there lurking.

In the end, there can be many winners and Fluent Forever has as good of a shot as anyone to cross the finish line.

As always, startup investing is super high-risk, and anything can happen. Don't invest anything you can't afford to lose.

Invest in Fluent Forever here 👉 Term Sheet

DM’s open on Twitter & IG 🤳 @kitun.