A startup dedicated to preserving African languages has secured new funding.
Founded in 2022 and backed by Techstars, Lingawa was established by siblings Frank Akinwande Williams (CEO) and Yvonne Williams (COO), along with third co-founder Uche Azinge (CTO). Previously operating under the name TopSet, its inception was driven by Frank’s and Yvonne’s difficulties in learning their native language, Yoruba.
“As Nigerians growing up in the UK, my sister Yvonne W and I always felt a deep connection to our heritage—but also an uncomfortable distance. We struggled to speak our native tongue, Yoruba, fluently, and with that came a sense of loss and even shame,” Williams said on LinkedIn. “There’s an unspoken belief that understanding your language is tied to understanding yourself, your culture, and your place in the world. It was a feeling we carried with us for years.”
He continued, “As we grew older, we realized that this experience wasn’t unique to us. Millions of Africans, Asians, and others in the diaspora feel this same disconnect—wanting to embrace their roots but facing the very real challenge of language barriers. We knew we had to do something to help others like us reconnect with their languages and cultures.”
Starting with Yoruba and Igbo and driven by artificial intelligence, Lingawa enables individuals age 5 and up to learn these languages into adulthood. This is made possible through online lessons, expert tutors, flexible schedules, and tech-enabled interactive learning through its app that folds in games, flashcards, and progress trackers, its website notes.
Lingawa has now been supported with $1.1 million in pre-seed funding as the company works to include more languages to reach a wider audience. Investors include Zrosk Investment Management, WEAV (Women’s Enterprise Acceleration Vehicle), Kaleo Ventures, Voltron Capital, Phoenix Fund, Metis Capital Partners, Techstars, Google for Startups, Mastercard Foundation, Dara Treseder, and more angel investors.
“Lingawa is more than a platform—it’s a movement to preserve and celebrate the languages that shape who we are,” Williams expressed on LinkedIn. “If you’ve ever struggled to connect with your culture or language, know that you’re not alone. It’s never too late to learn, reconnect, and take pride in your heritage. Here’s to building a future where our languages and cultures thrive.”
