Dutch AI Startup Eevi Secures Funding to Help Language Learners Speak Confidently
Amsterdam, Tuesday 22 September 2026
Dutch startup Eevi has secured pre-seed funding from Rockstart to challenge traditional apps, replacing tap-and-swipe drills with real-time voice conversations to build genuine conversational fluency.
Challenging the Fluency Illusion
Eevi, an Amsterdam-based voice-first AI language tutor, has successfully raised a pre-seed funding round led by early-stage investor Rockstart [1][2][3]. This capital injection is aimed at transforming how people learn new languages, moving away from the “tap-and-swipe” mechanics that dominate legacy platforms [1]. The startup is building a digital ecosystem focused on real-time spoken conversation instead of traditional, repetitive translation drills [1][5].
The Pitfalls of Traditional Language Apps
The problem with traditional language learning apps, such as Duolingo, is that they primarily build recognition rather than active conversational skills—a phenomenon Eevi’s founders refer to as the “fluency illusion” [1]. Users often accumulate long daily streaks by matching pictures, dragging tiles, and tapping translations, yet they frequently freeze when attempting to converse with a native speaker in real life [1]. While human tutors are the main alternative to resolve this issue, high costs and limited availability make them inaccessible to many of the billion-plus language learners worldwide [1].
Experienced Leadership at the Helm
Behind Eevi are co-founders Filemon Schöffer and Jago Gazendam, who have known each other since childhood [1][5]. Schöffer, Eevi’s Chief Executive Officer, is an experienced entrepreneur who previously co-founded Hubs.com, which was acquired by Protolabs in a transaction valued at up to $330 million [1]. Following the acquisition, he served as Chief Commercial Officer at the mental health platform OpenUp [1]. Gazendam, who acts as Chief Technology Officer, brings a strong engineering background spanning both healthtech and education sectors [1].
From Personal Frustration to AI Innovation
The inspiration for Eevi came from the founders’ personal frustrations with language learning [1]. After selling Hubs in 2021, Schöffer struggled to learn Japanese using existing applications, while Gazendam faced similar limitations when trying to learn Spanish [1]. Recognising the rapid advancements in generative artificial intelligence, the duo decided to build an AI-driven tutor that mimics natural, contextual learning [1][5].
From Beta Insights to Public Launch
Development of the platform commenced in the summer of 2025, leading to a six-month closed beta phase from January to June 2026 with approximately 100 advanced learners [1]. A key insight from the beta trial was that reading a text transcript while trying to speak hindered the learning experience [1]. Consequently, the founders rebuilt the platform around a voice-first interface—a clean canvas where Eevi dynamically adds supporting multimedia, such as audio players, only when necessary [1].
A Contextual Approach to 23 Languages
Currently, the application supports 23 languages [2]. Rather than forcing users through rigid grammar drills, Eevi subtly corrects pronunciation and phrasing during live conversations, similar to how a parent guides a child without interrupting their conversational flow [2][5]. The platform’s curriculum is based on vocabulary and common phrases in context, operating on the principle that mastering roughly 500 words in context covers about 80 per cent of daily conversations—a level Eevi claims users can reach in 6 to 12 months [2].
The Strategic Role of Rockstart’s Backing
The pre-seed funding, announced on 21 September 2026 [4], will support Eevi’s plans to bring its newly launched platform to a broad audience within the next 12 months [2][3]. While the founders have not disclosed the exact financial terms of the round, Rockstart typically provides investments valued at €100,000, combining cash with strategic mentorship [2]. This backing gives Eevi access to an extensive network of experienced mentors to guide its market expansion and product development [2][3].
Bridging the Gap in EdTech
With subscriptions priced at €18 per month [2], Eevi is positioning itself to bridge the gap between low-cost but limited mobile apps and expensive traditional language schools [2]. In a global market where hundreds of millions of people try to learn a second language but only a small fraction succeed, Eevi’s voice-first model represents a direct challenge to the gamified, drill-based edtech incumbents [1].