Ex-Google employee’s Yoodli sees valuation soar past $300M, focusing on AI that supports rather than substitutes humans

Yoodli's Rapid Growth and Unique Approach to AI Communication Training

Yoodli, a startup leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance communication skills, has seen its valuation soar past $300 million—more than three times higher than just half a year ago. Unlike many AI companies focused on automation, Yoodli’s mission is to empower individuals rather than replace them with technology.

This significant jump in valuation follows a $40 million Series B funding round led by WestBridge Capital, with additional backing from Neotribe and Madrona. Combined with a $13.7 million Series A round announced in May, Yoodli’s total funding now approaches $60 million.

AI That Supports, Not Replaces, Human Communication

As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in the workplace, often raising concerns about job automation, Yoodli distinguishes itself by providing AI-driven practice environments. Founded four years ago in Seattle, the company offers simulated scenarios—ranging from sales meetings and leadership coaching to job interviews and feedback sessions—enabling users to repeatedly practice and refine their speaking abilities.

Yoodli was co-founded in 2021 by Varun Puri, a former member of Google’s X division and special projects team for Sergey Brin, and Esha Joshi, who previously worked as an engineer at Apple. Puri, who moved to the United States at 18, became acutely aware of the communication hurdles faced by international students and professionals, including himself, which inspired the creation of Yoodli.

Evolving from Public Speaking to Enterprise Training

Originally designed to help users overcome public speaking anxiety—a challenge affecting two-thirds of people, according to Yoodli’s internal data—the platform quickly found broader applications. Users began utilizing Yoodli for interview prep, sales presentations, and navigating tough conversations. This shift prompted the company to expand into enterprise solutions, now offering AI-powered role-plays and experiential learning tools for sales enablement, partner certification, and leadership development.

Puri explained, “In the past, companies relied on static content or passive video training—often sped up just to finish quickly—but that doesn’t guarantee real learning.”

Trusted by Leading Companies and Coaching Firms

Major organizations such as Google, Snowflake, Databricks, RingCentral, and Sandler Sales utilize Yoodli for employee and partner development. The platform is also adopted by coaching firms like Franklin Covey and LHH, who can adapt Yoodli’s tools to fit their unique training methodologies. Puri emphasized that Yoodli is designed to complement, not replace, human coaches by keeping personalized feedback at the core of the experience.

“AI can take you from zero to eight or nine, but the authenticity and vulnerability that come from human feedback will always be essential,” Puri noted.

Flexible, Multilingual, and Enterprise-Ready

Yoodli’s platform is compatible with various large language models, including Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s GPT, allowing users to choose their preferred AI engine. The system can be integrated into existing enterprise software or accessed directly via web browser. It supports a wide range of languages, such as Korean, Japanese, French, Canadian French, and several Indian languages.

Notably, Yoodli has opted not to develop a standalone mobile app, aiming to keep the training process as streamlined as possible for users.

Impressive Growth and Strategic Expansion

While Puri did not share specific user numbers, he revealed that the majority of Yoodli’s revenue now comes from enterprise clients. Between its Series A and B funding rounds, the company experienced a 50% increase in both the number of role-play sessions and total user practice time. Over the past year, Yoodli’s average recurring revenue surged by 900%, though exact figures were not disclosed.

Yoodli hadn’t initially planned to seek additional funding so soon, but strong investor interest—driven by robust performance metrics, high-profile customers, and key executive hires—prompted the latest round. Recent additions to the leadership team include Josh Vitello (Chief Revenue Officer, formerly of Tableau and Salesforce), Andy Larson (Chief Financial Officer, formerly of Remitly), and Padmashree Koneti (Chief Product Officer, formerly of Tableau).

Standing Out in a Competitive Market

Although there are other AI-powered communication platforms, Puri highlighted Yoodli’s ability to deeply customize its tools for specific training needs, enabling organizations to tailor the platform to their unique workflows and coaching styles.

Looking Ahead: Growth and Innovation

Based in Seattle and employing around 40 people, Yoodli plans to use its latest funding to enhance its AI coaching, analytics, and personalization features. The company aims to further expand its presence in enterprise learning and professional development, hire across product, AI research, and customer success roles, and grow into Asia-Pacific markets while strengthening its U.S. footprint.