- Acquisition combines Riiid’s advanced AI assessment technology with Qualson’s premium English language learning contentFounded in 2012, Qualson is known primarily for its widely popular Real Class™ English language learning platformEnables augmentation of Qualson’s learning platforms via Riiid’s AI, while also helping to accelerate Riiid’s future product launches SAN RAMON, Calif., Dec. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Riiid Inc., a Softbank Vision Fund-backed AI education technology company, announced today the acquisition of Qualson Co Ltd., a leading English language learning and content provider based in South Korea. Qualson is the owner and operator of popular B2C English learning platforms including its flagship Real Class™, known widely for using high quality content sourced from international media companies to teach real-world, conversational English.Founded in 2012, Qualson has operated a diverse portfolio of language learning brands and is known for collaborating with well-known public personalities in South Korea to deliver premium Hollywood movie and TV show-based learning content. Users of Qualson’s products including Real Class™ seek practical, daily English learning lessons and participate in live classes in addition to consuming video-on-demand (“VOD”) content. The acquisition enables several routes for Riiid to augment Qualson’s products via injection of its globally-renowned “knowledge tracing” and “content recommendation” AI technologies. Equally, Qualson’s premium and loyal user base, ultra-high quality content, and English-as-a-second-language (“ESL”) market ‘know-how’ enables Riiid to accelerate development of its future ESL product. Qualson’s CEO, Sooyoung Park, will take on a larger role within the combined business.The acquisition is expected to close in Q1 2024 and is subject to customary closing conditions.About RiiidFounded in 2014, Riiid Inc is an artificial intelligence-driven, education technology company backed by the Softbank Vision Fund. Riiid operates several products using its core AI technologies, including its flagship product Santa TOEIC™, an app that helps students primarily in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan prepare for the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), and R.Test, a rapid diagnosis platform for the US market that helps students assess their expected performance on high stakes exams including the ACT and SAT. Riiid also packages and offers its core technologies to other education services companies and public organizations through custom solutions and APIs.About QualsonFounded in 2012, Qualson is known primarily as the parent company of Real Class™, a leading ESL learning platform that utilizes universally-recognized global IP from major Hollywood studios including Warner Media and NBC Universal to deliver ‘real-world’ conversational English lessons to users in South Korea. Real Class works with star teachers to deliver its high quality content in VOD and live class formats. Qualson also owns a controlling stake in Meganext, which provides human resource development (“HRD”) services to corporates in Korea that seek to offer English learning opportunities to employees.SOURCE Riiid
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