In the fast-evolving tech landscape, the story of Ivan Crewkov is a classic example of how adaptability can pave the way for new opportunities. After relocating his family from Serbia to the U.S. in 2014 in anticipation of launching his startup, Cubic.AI, Crewkov faced an abrupt setback when Amazon unveiled its Echo smart speaker just a week before his Kickstarter campaign was set to launch. This launch by a tech giant, replete with resources and market dominance, rendered Crewkov’s efforts nearly obsolete overnight. Reflecting on that experience, he expressed a sense of dismay, stating, “It was a disaster.” However, amid this apparent failure lingered the seeds for a novel concept that would ultimately lead to the creation of Buddy.ai.
Crewkov’s family transition included his daughters entering English-speaking schools, where they faced the challenges of language adjustment. This personal experience turned serendipitous when he identified a gap in learning resources for children learning English as a second language. The inspiration for Buddy.ai struck him as he observed his daughter’s tutoring sessions, particularly the limitations posed by scripted responses. This observation planted the idea of employing artificial intelligence to create a more interactive and engaging educational experience for children.
Buddy.ai emerged as a response to a pressing need: an engaging AI character that would assist children in mastering English. Unlike typical language-learning applications, Buddy.ai integrates animation and conversation, creating a multimodal environment that captivates young learners. The platform functions on a subscription model, allowing users to access the app directly, while also working with educational institutions in diverse regions, including Brazil.
However, transforming this vision into a viable product proved to be a formidable challenge. Crewkov noted that the timeline they initially estimated was overly optimistic—what they believed would be a six-month project turned into an extensive journey spanning several years. The complexity of the task at hand was exacerbated by regulatory frameworks such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the U.S., necessitating strict compliance due to the target demographic. Furthermore, the AI model had to be adept at recognizing and adapting to diverse children’s voices—an immense undertaking given the broad linguistic and accentual variations. Crewkov articulately illustrated the difficulty they faced, comparing it to deciphering the speech patterns of a 4-year-old girl from Brazil attempting to articulate her first words in English alongside her peer from Saudi Arabia.
Despite the initial hurdles, Crewkov’s perseverance paid off. Seven years later, Buddy.ai boasts nearly 55 million downloads, reaching over 22 million students annually. The company recently raised $11 million in a seed round, backed by BITKRAFT Ventures, among others. Fundraising, however, remained a tough journey for Buddy.ai. Crewkov revealed that they met with a staggering 186 investors before successfully securing the necessary funding. The second firm they approached, BITKRAFT, turned out to be an ideal partner, particularly due to their expertise in gaming, aligning well with Buddy.ai’s engaging approach to language learning.
Children’s perception of Buddy.ai as a game rather than a mere educational tool is a significant factor in the app’s widespread appeal. This gamified aspect encourages engagement and incentivizes users to return, ensuring daily practice—a key component for language acquisition.
With the latest investment, Crewkov is committed to further enhancing Buddy.ai’s technological capabilities. He realizes that, despite its considerable user base and success, the current state of the technology could be significantly improved. To spearhead this enhancement, Buddy.ai seeks to hire experts in game design and user experience (UX) to recreate and enrich the platform’s design and interactive elements.
Moreover, the company is keen on diversifying its language offerings and strengthening partnerships with educational institutions. While Buddy.ai is not the only player in the AI language-teaching arena, it differentiates itself by focusing specifically on young learners and their unique challenges in mastering a new language.
Crewkov’s vision extends beyond Buddy.ai’s app alone; he envisions a hybrid future where AI-driven tools complement traditional teaching methods. By providing consistent and engaging practice, AI tutors can drastically enhance the learning experience. As more companies adopt similar approaches to language acquisition, the landscape of education will likely evolve in interesting and impactful ways, ultimately benefitting students across the globe. Buddy.ai stands at the forefront, ready to leverage its groundbreaking solutions to redefine how children engage with language learning and education as a whole.