What PalFish does

PalFish (伴鱼), legally Beijing Duwo Technology Co., Ltd. (北京读我科技有限公司), is a Beijing-based online English education company founded in 2015 that operates a subscription-based platform delivering 1-on-1 live tutoring with TESOL/TEFL-certified native English teachers to Chinese children aged 3-18. The platform claims 30,000+ professional foreign teachers on its roster and uses a product-led growth model with freemium trial lessons (25-minute 1-on-1 sessions plus assessment reports) to convert parents into paid subscription packages with fixed 2-3 teacher assignments. Core revenue comes from recurring per-seat subscription pricing, though specific price points are quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

The company's technology stack centers on an AI-powered adaptive learning system that performs real-time NLP analysis of student responses, dynamically adjusts difficulty, tracks error patterns in grammar and pronunciation, and generates contextual dialogue scenarios. Its June 2026 AI Tutor product is built on Tencent Cloud's TRTC (real-time communication) and IM (instant messaging) infrastructure, and the same AI engine is deployed across IoT devices including XiaoTianCai smartwatches with 10M+ units. PalFish uses Pearson's Big Fun/Big English original textbooks, AR interactive classroom technology in 25-minute sessions, and a 1,000+ original picture book library.

PalFish operates a multi-product ecosystem under distinct sub-brands: 伴鱼一对一 (1-on-1 tutoring), 伴鱼大阅读 (reading programs), 伴鱼AI智学 (AI-powered learning covering all-subject tutoring and phonics), 伴鱼线下中心 (offline learning centers), and 伴鱼海外版 (international platform at palfish.com). Distribution runs entirely through digital channels including dedicated mobile apps on iOS/Android, the WeChat ecosystem (mini-programs, public accounts, QR-code trials), and the company's main website (banyu.com). The company holds unicorn status with 2025 Global Unicorn Enterprise and 2026 China Unicorn Enterprise designations, Forbes China Global Expansion Leading Brand recognition, and has raised $120M in disclosed Series C funding led by FutureX Capital in 2020. Henry Huang serves as Founder and CEO.

Name

PalFish

Legal name

北京读我科技有限公司

Website

https://ipalfish.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

PalFish is a Beijing-based online English education platform founded in 2015 that delivers subscription-based 1-on-1 live tutoring with 30,000+ certified native English teachers to Chinese children aged 3-18, augmented by an AI-powered adaptive learning system built on Tencent Cloud infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online K-12 English Education

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Foreign Language Subject Tutoring (School Coursework) (EDANAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Literacy Foundations (Phonics, Reading Fluency, Comprehension) Platforms (EDAFAOAD), English Learner (EL/ESL/ELL) & Bilingual Education Programs (EDAJAGAB)

Keywords

• Online english tutoring
• K-12 language learning
• AI adaptive learning
• Live 1-on-1 classes
• Children english education

Headquarters

HQ city

Beijing

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Subscription-based Online Tutoring: PalFish generates revenue primarily through subscription plans for 1-on-1 live tutoring with professional foreign teachers. Parents pay for course packages that include fixed teacher assignments, structured curriculum, and AI supplementary practice tools. The model follows a recurring subscription pattern with per-seat pricing based on course enrollment.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PalFish provides subscription-based online English education for children aged 3-18, centered on 25-minute 1-on-1 live classes with certified foreign teachers, supplemented by an AI tutor for 24/7 speaking practice, adaptive difficulty, and error-targeted dialogue. The platform bundles fixed teacher assignments, AR-enabled interactive classrooms, Pearson Big Fun/Big English original textbooks, and a 1,000+ title original picture book library, delivered through website, mobile apps, WeChat, and an international version (palfish.com).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 伴鱼一对一: One-on-one tutoring product line featuring fixed foreign teachers and personalized English learning for children aged 3-18.
• 伴鱼大阅读
• 伴鱼AI智学
• 伴鱼线下中心

Products and services

• PalFish Kids English 1-on-1 (伴鱼少儿英语真人外教1对1) Subscription-based live 1-on-1 English tutoring with TESOL/TEFL-certified foreign teachers for Chinese children aged 3-18, featuring fixed teacher assignments, original Pearson textbooks, AR interactive effects, and 1,000+ title picture book library.
• PalFish All-Subject Math (伴鱼全能数学) Online 1-on-1 math tutoring within the PalFish One-on-One product line, targeting Chinese K-12 students for homework help, exam preparation, and knowledge gap filling.
• PalFish Word Memorization (伴鱼单词速记) Online 1-on-1 vocabulary memorization course for Chinese learners within the PalFish One-on-One portfolio, focused on English word acquisition.
• PalFish K-12 Excellence Tutoring (小初高培优) Online 1-on-1 excellence tutoring for primary, middle, and high school students covering academic subjects and exam preparation within the PalFish One-on-One line.
• PalFish Reading Camp (伴鱼阅读营) Online English reading camp program for children, providing structured reading practice and comprehension within the PalFish Reading product line.
• Excellence English Small Class (卓越英语小班) Small-class English course focused on reading and language excellence, delivered online as part of the PalFish Reading product line.
• PalFish Picture Books (伴鱼绘本) Subscription access to a 1,000+ title library of original English picture books for children's reading practice, bundled within the PalFish Reading product line.
• PalFish AI All-Subject Tutoring (全科辅导) AI-powered all-subject tutoring covering mathematics, science, and core academic subjects for K-12 students within the PalFish AI Learning product line.
• PalFish AI Personal Tutor (AI私教课) AI personal tutor course providing 24/7 English speaking practice, adaptive difficulty adjustment, and targeted dialogue based on individual student errors within the PalFish AI Learning line.
• PalFish Natural Phonics (自然拼读) Natural phonics (自然拼读) course teaching letter-sound relationships and early reading skills to young English learners within the PalFish AI Learning product line.
• PalFish Smart Learning Center (智学中心) Offline smart learning center offering in-person AI-supplemented English learning experiences as part of the PalFish Offline Centers product line.
• PalFish Reading Center (阅读中心) Offline reading center providing in-person English reading instruction and library access as part of the PalFish Offline Centers product line.
• PalFish Overseas (伴鱼海外版) International version of the PalFish platform hosted at palfish.com, providing online English tutoring and AI learning services to overseas users outside China.

Quantifiable outcome

• Each 25-minute session includes dozens of interactive elements to maintain student engagement and concentration
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Tencent CloudcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 June 2026Tencent Cloud provides the underlying infrastructure for PalFish's AI tutor through its real-time communication (TRTC), instant messaging (IM), and IoT communications services. This partnership enables PalFish to deliver AI-powered personalized tutoring at scale across gaming, education, smart devices, and financial services sectors. Tencent Cloud has been recognized as a Challenger in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for CPaaS for four consecutive years.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• 51Talk (无忧英语): NYSE-listed (COE) online 1-on-1 English tutoring platform serving Chinese K-12 learners with foreign teachers—PalFish's closest direct competitor in target segment, business model, and delivery format.
• VIPKid: Former Chinese K-12 1-on-1 English tutoring leader; restructured after regulatory changes. Direct functional peer in live 1-on-1 foreign-teacher model and Chinese parent customer base.
• LingoAce: Singapore-headquartered online 1-on-1 Chinese-language and English tutoring for K-12 learners, with a similar AI-augmented live-class model and Asian parent customer overlap.
• GoGoKid (字节跳动 / ByteDance): ByteDance-launched online 1-on-1 English tutoring for Chinese kids; direct functional peer in product, customer, and delivery model, backed by significantly larger platform resources.
• iHuman Inc. (洪恩教育): NYSE-listed (IH) Chinese children's educational content and app company, including English learning products for ages 3-8. Comparable in target demographic and digital-first model, with overlapping literacy/phonics offerings.

Broad incumbents

• New Oriental Education (新东方): Largest Chinese private education conglomerate offering K-12 tutoring, English training, and online learning at scale. Overlaps with PalFish in English-language K-12 instruction but as part of a much broader portfolio.
• TAL Education Group (好未来 / Xueersi): Major Chinese K-12 education company with AI-powered learning products and English offerings. Operates at much larger scale and broader subject coverage, overlapping with PalFish's AI智学 product line.
• Koolearn (新东方在线 / East Buy-adjacent): New Oriental's online K-12 and English-learning platform; competes with PalFish in the digital English-learning category with a broader university and adult education portfolio.

Emerging players

• Magic Ear (魔法耳朵): Online 1-on-1 and small-group English tutoring for Chinese children; smaller-scale direct peer with similar target demographic and live foreign-teacher model.
• Cambly: Global marketplace for on-demand English conversation practice with native speakers; serves a partially overlapping international student market with a lighter-weight, app-first model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ipalfish

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PalFish