MS Dhoni Invests in AI Edtech Startup SpeakX

Cricket legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni has made a strategic investment in the AI-based edtech startup SpeakX, also taking on the role of brand ambassador. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but the investment is part of SpeakX’s upcoming funding round planned for next year.

SpeakX, formerly known as Yellow Class, focuses on enhancing English-speaking skills for children globally. The startup has been expanding its reach across India, with a significant emphasis on regional language offerings. Initially focused on Hindi speakers, SpeakX now caters to users in Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Marathi, reporting strong traction in South India. Regional language users now constitute half of its user base, a notable shift from its earlier Hindi-dominant audience.

Founded in 2020, SpeakX initially offered a wide range of extracurricular classes. In November 2023, the company rebranded as SpeakX to concentrate on English language learning, leveraging generative AI to provide an AI tutor for practicing everyday conversations without human interaction, except for customer support.

The platform boasts approximately 200,000 active paid subscribers, with a monthly retention rate of around 30%. The subscription is priced at ₹299 per month. SpeakX reported achieving EBITDA profitability in FY26, with revenues reaching ₹45 Cr. The company projects revenues of ₹70-80 Cr in FY27 and plans to launch a B2B English-learning product targeting sectors like hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.

Prior to this strategic investment from Dhoni, SpeakX raised $16 million in a pre-Series B funding round last year, led by WestBridge Capital. With backing from investors such as Elevation Capital, Goodwater Capital, and Tidal Capital, SpeakX has secured over $20 million to date.