From 0 to 80 Million Users: Disrupting the AI Language Learning Landscape | Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer @ Memrise | Ben Whately

In this episode, Ben Whately, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Memrise, shares his journey from experimenting with neural networks to founding an innovative language learning platform.

Memrise is a platform that leverages memory techniques, deep understanding of neuroscience and novel approaches to second language acquisition to make learning a language dramatically easier and faster.

Ben discusses:

• The challenges of disrupting the Ed-Tech market
• The role of AI in education, and the growth of Memrise to 80 million users. 
• The psychological theories driving Memrise.
• His personal focus on angel investing in sustainability and climate tech startups
•  Practical advice for founders on navigating the startup ecosystem, understanding customer needs, and staying adaptable.
• Mental frameworks to adopt for agility in business development and growth (anti-fragile mentalities).
• How people from non traditional backgrounds can still flourish and have great success in the technology sector.
• What type of founder Ben looks to invest in.
• Counteracting innate bias to try to change the investment landscape and build a better technology ecosystem for the future.

And much, much more...

Tune in for insights on education, psychology, technology, and sustainable innovation.

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Chapters

• 1:00 Intro - Ben's early interest in neural networks and education at Oxford
• 3:10 Founding Memrise
• 5:31 Edtech market insights
• 10:53 AI and Technology in Education
• 12:47 Development of Memrise's AI chatbots and the influence of ChatGPT
• 16:06 [Ad] PodMatch
• 16:43 (Cont.) Development of Memrise's AI chatbots and the influence of ChatGPT
• 22:16 Insights as an angel investor into sustainability
• 30:54 Build with feedback, not just vision: Example of success (the makings of Twitch)
• 35:37 Start-up road maps
• 37:24 Learning is never wasted
• 42:06 Who can be a successful founder
• 43:15 Overcoming bias in investment decisions
• 47:25 Advice for Founders from an investor and co-founder