iStoria
iStoria is a Riyadh-based EdTech company that operates a mobile English language learning app built on Oxford graded stories, serving 4M+ learners across 38 countries through freemium subscriptions, family plans, and B2B and coaching tiers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersRiyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What iStoria does
iStoria is a Saudi Arabia-headquartered EdTech company that operates a mobile-first English language learning platform built around Oxford graded stories. The core product is a freemium iOS/Android app that exposes learners to a curated library of 100+ graded readers spanning beginner to advanced levels, augmented by an AI-powered speaking assistant that corrects pronunciation in American or British accents, an AI chatbot ("Chat with iStro") for conversational practice, in-context sentence translation, a placement test, and progress tracking toward a "Golden Guarantee" of 3,000+ vocabulary words in 8 months. The interface and translation support 16 native languages, with Arabic-English being a primary orientation.
iStoria generates revenue through a tiered subscription model. The free tier provides 3 daily reading attempts and unlimited vocabulary practice, supported by ads; Premium is an annual subscription unlocking unlimited reading, ad-free experience, the AI speaking assistant, full translation features, and certificates. A Family Subscription covers up to 6 members on one annual plan. Two premium modules extend the platform: iStoria for Business sells organizational licensing for corporate English training with personalized plans, dashboards, and active-user billing (15 corporate clients disclosed); iStoria Coach delivers 1-on-1 tutoring with English experts and IELTS/STEP exam preparation. Distribution combines self-serve app-store onboarding with direct B2B sales and institutional partnerships with private and government schools.
The company raised a pre-seed round led by Nama Ventures in May 2022 and a 5 million SAR (~$1.3 million) seed round in January 2024 from Nama Ventures, Classera, Flat6Labs, BIM Ventures, and angel investors. It claims 4 million+ learners across 38 countries, 50,000+ recorded learning hours, and a 30% reported proficiency improvement, though revenue and headcount (1–10 per firmographic data) remain modest. The platform is GDPR-compliant and supported by analytics integrations with Firebase, UX Cam, Metabase, and social conversion tracking.
iStoria firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- iStoria
- Legal name
- iStoria
- Website
- https://istoria.app
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- iStoria is a Riyadh-based EdTech company that operates a mobile English language learning app built on Oxford graded stories, serving 4M+ learners across 38 countries through freemium subscriptions, family plans, and B2B and coaching tiers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
iStoria industry classification
Industry- Product category
- English Language Learning Software
- NAICS
- Language Schools (611630), Language Schools (61163)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AI-Powered Language Tutors, Chatbots & Speaking Practice Tools (EDAFAOAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- AI-Powered Tutoring & Study Assistant Platforms (EDANAGAD), General Language Tutoring (Conversation & Fluency) (EDANACAA), Translation, Language Accessibility & Reading Support Tools (e.g., TTS, Captions, Immersive Reader) (EDAFAOAL)
Keywords
Where iStoria is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Riyadh
- HQ country
- Saudi Arabia
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
iStoria business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Individual Premium Subscription: Freemium model with Premium subscription upgrade. Free tier provides 3 daily reading attempts and unlimited vocabulary practice. Premium unlocks unlimited reading, ad-free experience, AI speaking assistant, sentence translation (up to Level 4), and certificates upon level completion. Family plan allows up to 6 members at discounted rate.
- Freemium: Base app is free with limited daily usage (3 reading attempts per day) and includes ads. Users can practice vocabulary without limits. Conversion to Premium is driven through free trial and feature limitations.
- iStoria for Business (Corporate): Organizational licensing with personalized learning plans, AI-powered coaching, progress tracking dashboards, and content tailored to business needs. Billing model charges only for active users with fully transferable accounts.
- iStoria Coach (1-on-1 Tutoring): Premium coaching program featuring private sessions with English language experts, custom learning plans aligned with academic and professional goals, weekly progress reports, and IELTS/STEP exam preparation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free version with limited daily access and ads |
| Subscription | Annual | Individual Premium subscription with full access |
| Subscription | Annual | Family plan covering up to 6 members |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
iStoria product offering
Product offeringCore offering
iStoria sells a mobile-first English language learning application that teaches vocabulary and reading comprehension through 100+ Oxford graded stories, supplemented by an AI pronunciation assistant, an AI chatbot ('iStro'), and personalized placement testing. The company monetizes a freemium consumer subscription and a separate B2B corporate English training product, with optional 1-on-1 human coaching add-ons for individuals and teams.
Product overview
iStoria is a Saudi-based EdTech company offering a unified English language learning ecosystem built around its core mobile application. The flagship iStoria app delivers gamified English learning through Oxford-graded stories with AI-powered features. The portfolio includes two premium modules: iStoria Plus (Coach Program) providing personal human coaching combined with AI tutoring for individuals seeking structured guidance; and iStoria for Business delivering corporate team training with AI-human hybrid instruction. A Family Subscription extends the platform to households with multiple learners. All offerings leverage the same underlying AI technology for pronunciation correction, personalized recommendations, and progress tracking, while the Plus and Business tiers add human coaching layers on top.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- iStoria Core App (English Learning Mobile Application) Mobile-first English language learning application using 100+ Oxford graded stories spanning beginner to advanced levels. Features AI pronunciation correction (American/British accents), on-tap translation across 16 languages, daily progress tracking, vocabulary mastery targets, placement testing, and certificates upon level completion. Sold to individual learners via freemium and annual Premium subscriptions on iOS and Android.
- iStoria for Business Organizational English training solution for companies and teams, providing personalized learning plans, AI-powered coaching, business-tailored content, progress tracking dashboards, and active-user billing with fully transferable accounts. Sold to enterprises through direct B2B sales.
- iStoria Plus (Coach Program) Premium coaching program offering one-on-one sessions with English language experts combined with AI tutoring. Includes personalized learning plans, weekly progress reports, and IELTS/STEP exam preparation. Sold to individuals and learners seeking structured, goal-oriented English mastery.
- iStoria Family Subscription Annual family subscription plan covering up to 6 members (1 manager + 5 family members) under a single plan. Each member receives an individual account with personalized learning paths and progress tracking, at up to 73% savings versus individual Premium subscriptions.
Quantifiable outcome
- 4 million+ learners worldwide
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use iStoria
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
iStoria technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration13 records
AI capability7 records
Feature5 records
iStoria partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Private SchoolscoreiStoria has established partnerships with private schools to integrate its English language learning platform into school curricula.
- Government SchoolscoreiStoria has established partnerships with government schools to expand access to its English language learning platform, attributed as a key factor in the company's success.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
iStoria competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
iStoria social profiles
Digital presenceiStoria compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
iStoria financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
iStoria leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
iStoria funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
iStoria M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about iStoria
What does iStoria do?
iStoria sells a mobile-first English language learning application that teaches vocabulary and reading comprehension through 100+ Oxford graded stories, supplemented by an AI pronunciation assistant, an AI chatbot ('iStro'), and personalized placement testing. The company monetizes a freemium consumer subscription and a separate B2B corporate English training product, with optional 1-on-1 human coaching add-ons for individuals and teams.
Is iStoria a public or private company?
iStoria is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was iStoria founded?
iStoria was founded in 2022. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is iStoria based?
iStoria is headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the Middle East region.
How does iStoria make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Premium Subscription is the primary driver. The others are freemium, iStoria for Business (Corporate) and iStoria Coach (1-on-1 Tutoring).
Does iStoria have an API?
No public API is recorded for iStoria.
What industry is iStoria in?
iStoria's product category is English Language Learning Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAOAC, AI-Powered Language Tutors, Chatbots & Speaking Practice Tools, with a secondary code of EDANAGAD, AI-Powered Tutoring & Study Assistant Platforms. Its NAICS code is 611630 and its SIC code is 8200.