The language learning industry in Benelux is vibrant and rapidly evolving, fueled by a growing demand for bilingual professionals in a global economy. Companies range from established institutions offering traditional courses to innovative startups leveraging technology such as AI and gamification. Popular among consumers are language learning apps, online tutoring platforms, and immersive experiences. Trends indicate a shift toward personalized learning approaches, mobile accessibility, and the integration of multilingual resources. As globalization continues to connect cultures, this sector is likely to expand further, creating opportunities for investment and innovation within the market.


The group of investors in this list includes a mix of venture capital and private equity firms primarily located in Amsterdam and Brussels. Founded between 1898 and 2020, these firms vary significantly in size, with some employing only a handful of people, while others have thousands in their workforce. In 2024, these investors collectively executed notable deals in the language learning sector, showcasing a robust interest in educational technology. With 14 unique contributions, the insights provided offer a glimpse into their strategic priorities and commitments over the years.


Top 14 Language Learning Investors in Benelux


1. Brighteye Ventures


Brighteye Ventures is a venture capital fund based in Luxembourg, founded in 2017, that specializes in early-stage Edtech investments. The firm provides funding, strategic guidance, and access to a network of industry experts to help startups refine their products and scale effectively in the educational technology sector. Notably, Brighteye Ventures has invested in Tandem, a language exchange app that raised £4.5 million in Series A funding, aimed at enhancing language learning through user interaction. They also led a €3.5 million Series A funding round for Twenix, a Spanish EdTech startup focused on language education, which highlights their commitment to the language learning space. Other investments include Lynx Educate and Memby, further showcasing their active role in the Edtech landscape.


2. Prosus Group

  • Website: prosus.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 21
  • LinkedIn: prosus-group

Prosus Group is a global technology investor and operator based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2019. The firm focuses on enhancing everyday life through technology across various sectors, including online classifieds, food delivery, payments, and education technology. Prosus has made significant investments in the education sector, notably in Codecademy, which raised $40 million in Series D funding to accelerate growth and reach more learners, and Platzi, a professional education platform in Latin America that raised $60 million in Series B funding to expand its educational offerings in multiple languages. These transactions highlight Prosus's commitment to fostering educational growth and innovation, particularly in language learning contexts.


3. Rubio Impact Ventures


Rubio Impact Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2014. The firm specializes in impact investing, providing growth capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs who are addressing significant social and environmental challenges. Their investment areas include clean energy, mental health, and education. Notably, Rubio Impact Ventures has made several investments in the EdTech sector, particularly in language learning. They led a funding round for Lingvist, a Tallinn-based startup that offers a language learning app, raising €5.1 million. Additionally, they invested in Bomberbot, which focuses on language learning through interactive gaming, and Cleverly, which provides online coaching for kids, further emphasizing their commitment to educational technology. Their approach emphasizes collaboration and partnership with portfolio companies, aiming to scale impactful solutions in education.


4. Mediahuis Technology & Product Studio


Mediahuis Technology & Product Studio is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2020. As part of the Mediahuis media group, it focuses on independent journalism and diverse media services while also investing in innovative technology solutions. The firm has made several notable investments in the language learning and educational technology sectors, including a seed round investment in Swap Language, which raised $2,146,591 in September 2023, aimed at enhancing language learning experiences. Additionally, Mediahuis led a Series B funding round for Perlego, which raised $50 million in March 2022, providing a platform for academic textbooks that supports educational access. Their investment in myskillcamp, which raised $14,248,025 in September 2021, further emphasizes their focus on learning and development solutions. These transactions highlight Mediahuis's strategic interest in the language learning industry and its commitment to fostering educational innovation.


5. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Founded in 1958, the EIC offers various funding programs, such as the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC also provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation in diverse sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in funding transactions relevant to the language learning context, such as Voiseed, an Italian startup that secured €1 million to enhance its AI dubbing technology, which is crucial for language learning applications. Additionally, the EIC has supported educational initiatives like Turing College and King's College London through grants, further emphasizing its commitment to advancing educational technologies.


6. Sofina

  • Website: sofinagroup.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1898
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: sofina

Sofina is a Brussels-based venture capital investment company founded in 1898, specializing in providing patient capital to growing businesses across various sectors, including telecommunications, consumer goods, and energy. The firm partners with entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses, offering strategic advice and long-term investment solutions to foster sustainable growth. Notably, Sofina has been involved in significant funding rounds for VerSe Innovation, the parent company of Dailyhunt and Josh, which are platforms focused on local language content in India. These investments, totaling over $1 billion across multiple funding rounds from 2020 to 2022, highlight Sofina's commitment to supporting companies that enhance access to language resources and promote language learning through AI-driven content platforms. This strategic focus on local language content positions Sofina as a relevant player in the language learning investment landscape.


7. MPA Capital

  • Website: mpa.capital
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: mpaeducation

MPA Capital is a private equity investment firm based in Brussels, Belgium, founded in 2019. The firm specializes in supporting mission-driven entrepreneurs and companies that address the human talent shortage, particularly through investment and consultancy services in the EdTech sector. MPA Capital has been involved in several relevant transactions, including investments in Kide Science, which focuses on educational solutions, and Blackbullion, a financial edtech platform that aims to enhance financial literacy among students. These investments reflect MPA Capital's commitment to fostering educational initiatives that can include language learning as part of broader educational engagement and workforce development strategies.


8. s16vc - Founders for Founders Fund

  • Website: s16vc.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: s16vc

s16vc - Founders for Founders Fund is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2020. The firm focuses on providing advisory services to companies, emphasizing the importance of strategic guidance in management. They have made several investments in the education technology space, including notable transactions such as Dubformer, which raised $3.6 million in a seed round and is focused on language learning. Additionally, they invested in bina, an edtech startup aimed at educating children aged 4 to 12, which may encompass language learning components. Their involvement in these sectors highlights their interest in educational advancements, making them a relevant player in the language learning investment landscape.


9. Peak

  • Website: peak.capital
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2008
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: peak-capital

Peak Capital is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2008. They specialize in investing in early-stage companies within the SaaS, marketplace, and platform sectors, providing funding and support to help these businesses scale. Notably, Peak has made significant investments in the edtech space, including LessonUp, a Dutch startup that received €350k to accelerate growth and expand internationally, and Studocu, which raised €1.35M to support its expansion efforts. These transactions highlight Peak's interest in educational technology, particularly platforms that enhance learning experiences, making them a relevant player in the language learning industry.


10. Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)


Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) is a venture capital firm based in Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands, founded in 1983. BOM acts as a development agency that supports startups and scale-ups in the Brabant region by providing funding, expertise, and networking opportunities to enhance business growth. Among its various investments, BOM has notably invested in the Edtech startup Knowingo, which raised €1.3 million to innovate online learning through AI and gamification. This investment highlights BOM's commitment to enhancing educational experiences, which is relevant to the language learning sector. Additionally, BOM has been involved in other ventures such as Gynzy, which focuses on educational tools, further showcasing its interest in the education space.


11. LUMO Labs

  • Website: lumolabs.io
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: lumo-labs

LUMO Labs is a venture capital firm based in Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in impact-driven investments in emerging technologies, providing funding and tailored support programs to early-stage startups that address social and environmental challenges. LUMO Labs has been involved in several notable transactions, particularly in the education and language learning context. For instance, they invested in Chunkx, a startup leveraging artificial intelligence to make learning more relevant and effective, targeting both businesses and educational institutions. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for FruitPunch AI, which aims to develop educational platforms, and Enliven, which focuses on empathy training through XR technology. These investments highlight LUMO Labs' commitment to fostering innovation in the education sector, making them a relevant player in the language learning industry.


12. NPM Capital

  • Website: npm-capital.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1948
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: npm-capital

NPM Capital is a private equity investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1948. The firm focuses on supporting medium-sized and large companies, particularly family-owned enterprises in the Benelux region. NPM Capital provides capital and strategic advisory services to help these businesses achieve growth and sustainability. The firm operates across various sectors, including technology and education, emphasizing long-term partnerships with its portfolio companies. Notably, NPM Capital has made significant investments in the language learning sector, acquiring Futurewhiz, the parent company of online learning platforms Squla and WRTS, in December 2020. This acquisition highlights their commitment to the education space. Additionally, they acquired Infinitas Learning in June 2021, further solidifying their presence in the educational market. Their investment strategy reflects a focus on companies that contribute to educational growth and innovation.


13. CapitalT

  • Website: capitaltvc.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: capitalt

CapitalT is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2020. The firm specializes in seed-stage investments in technology companies, providing funding and strategic guidance to help entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses. CapitalT focuses on innovative solutions across various tech sectors, including climate tech and the future of work. Notably, they have invested in several companies relevant to the education sector, such as Wizenoze, an AI-powered edtech startup that aims to enhance educational technology and products, and Audvice, a female-founded tech startup in the edtech space. These investments highlight CapitalT's commitment to supporting advancements in education, which can include language learning technologies.


14. Cvc

  • Website: cvc.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a prominent private equity firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure, managing approximately €193 billion in assets for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors. CVC has made notable investments in the education sector, particularly with their acquisition of Multiversity Group, an online education platform, where they acquired a 100% stake in 2021 after previously holding a 50% stake. This investment highlights CVC's commitment to the education industry, which includes language learning as a key component. Additionally, their investment in GEMS Education, a significant player in the education sector, further demonstrates their engagement in educational initiatives.



Language Learning Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Brighteye VenturesLuxembourg1-1020177
Prosus GroupAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands10001+201921
Rubio Impact VenturesAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands1-10201413
Mediahuis Technology & Product StudioAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands201-50020205
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
SofinaBrussels, Brussels, Belgium51-20018984
MPA CapitalBrussels, Brussels, Belgium1-1020190
s16vc - Founders for Founders FundAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020207
PeakAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020088
Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands51-200198310
LUMO LabsEindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands11-5020165
NPM CapitalAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5019481
CapitalTAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands1-1020205
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516


Want to find more investors focusing on the language learning industry?

If you want to find more investors that are active in the language learningindustry, you can do that with Inven. We built this list and analysis throughInven's Investor Search, and there are a lot more private equity, venturecapital, and corporate investors like these globally.

With Inven, you'll also get to know:

  • Deal History: Number of deals and their sizes.
  • Portfolio: Companies they've invested in.
  • Contact data: Key dealmakers, including their emails and phonenumbers.
  • ...and much more!