Riiid, a leading Korean education technology provider backed by SoftBank’s Vision Fund, announced this week its acquisition of Qualson, owner of Real Class’s popular English learning app. The value of the acquisition was not disclosed.
With “English fever” gripping South Korea’s youth and parents investing heavily in English language learning from an early age, Riiid is making a major play to tap into this lucrative market.
Real Class has succeeded through its video lessons that use scenes from major Hollywood films and TV shows to teach practical conversational skills.
Riiid’s Vision for Asia
“By acquiring the fast-growing Qualson, Riiid adds an important new dimension to our adaptive learning platform,” said Riiid CEO YJ Jang.
“Together with Real Class, we will bring the power of AI and personalization to English language learning for students across Asia.”
Riiid has emerged as a leader in AI-driven educational apps, having raised $175 million from SoftBank last year. Its Santa test prep app has helped millions prepare for English certification exams using sophisticated algorithms to deliver personalized content.
Positioning for Dominance in Smart Education
The purchase of Qualson marks Riiid’s continued international expansion beyond its base in South Korea. Earlier this year, the company acquired Langoo, a distributor of educational apps in Japan.
With the backing of Softbank’s Vision Fund, Riiid is positioning itself to dominate the Asian market for smart education apps. The acquisition of Qualson signals an aggressive growth strategy aimed at English learners of all ages and skill levels.
