Shira Rubin, founder of learn2lingo.com, takes her turn against the
clock.
1. Sum up your business in one
sentence:
Learn2lingo.com is an online platform for learning languages. We
offer live, one-to-one lessons with a teacher by webcam in our
unique online classroom.
2. What's the business model?
Students pay for the lessons and we pay the teachers, taking a
small cut per lesson.
3. Who are your competitors?
E-learning is the fastest growing emerging market so it is a
hugely exciting time. There are other companies offering a similar
service but each one has a different approach. We are all fairly
new so it will be interesting to see how things develop.
4. What's your USP?
Learn2lingo.com is simple to use. We make it easy for teachers
and students to connect in the online classroom and ensure the
experience within the classroom is smooth and effective.
5. How have you funded it so far?
We received Angel investment through Angel Networks in the
UK.
6. What were you doing before?
I was a science teacher in an urban complex London school.
7. Where did the idea come from?
My housemate, also a teacher, was taking a Spanish evening
course but was so tired after school and kept missing her classes.
I thought 'surely there must be an easier way'. I came up with the
idea that, with live two-way streaming, she could have a lesson
with a Spanish teacher in Spain or South America by webcam in her
own time and the comfort of her own home.
8. What's the smartest thing you've done so
far?
Choosing the right people to work with.
9. What's the stupidest?
Getting distracted. Learn2lingo.com can work in so many markets
and the challenge is to focus on the right ones.
10. If your business was a biscuit, what type
would it be?
A custard cream, it connects two biscuits perfectly together,
just like learn2lingo.com connects the teacher and student
online.
11. Which idea are you a bit jealous
of?
There are lots of amazing tech companies doing cool things, I
wouldn't say I'm jealous of them, just inspired by them. It just
shows that lots of things are possible and there are many
incredible people doing them.
12. Where are you going to be in 12 months'
time?
Travelling to all our learn2lingo.com offices worldwide.
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