ImmerseMe

What ImmerseMe does

ImmerseMe Ltd. is a New Zealand-based education technology company founded in 2016 by Scott Cardwell (CEO), Jeremy Hanff (Chartered Accountant), and Sam Leslie (sales and engineering). The company operates a VR and 360° video-based language learning platform that places learners in authentic, recorded locations — restaurants, shops, museums, and streets across twelve target countries — to practise listening, speaking, reading, and writing in twelve languages (Arabic, English, French, German, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish). The content library comprises 3,000+ interactive scenarios, produced with a global network of 50+ educators and native speakers.

The platform combines 360° video playback, automated speech recognition for pronunciation feedback, and a generative AI conversational layer (ChatGPT integration) to simulate dialogues with native speakers. It is accessible across Desktop, Tablet/Mobile, and Oculus VR headsets, and integrates with ClassLink, Google, and Microsoft for SSO. A teacher dashboard supports assignment and progress tracking. The company holds compliance certifications for FERPA, COPPA, GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, the Australian Privacy Principles, and the NZ Privacy Act 2020, positioning it for procurement by regulated K-12 and higher-education buyers in the US, EU, UK, and Australasia. The product roadmap centers on ImmerseMe 2.0 (announced April 2026, full migration July 2026), which introduces the Science of Fluency framework — measuring Effort, Growth, and Fluency via AI-powered analytics.

ImmerseMe generates revenue through three streams: (1) per-student enterprise licensing for schools and universities at US$300/student/year with complimentary teacher access; (2) direct-to-consumer individual subscriptions (NZ$299 for six months, NZ$499 for twelve months); and (3) participation fees for the annual ImmerseMe Games competition ($30/student for returning non-subscribers, free for current subscribers and new schools). Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales, a 30-day free trial, e-commerce for individuals, regional reseller partnerships (VEDX, MAKA Solutions), and an affiliate program across 12+ language teacher associations. The company has reached 150,000+ language learners across 30+ countries, with named customers spanning Louisiana State University, Madison College, Tulane University, the United States Air Force Academy, the Vocational Training Council of Hong Kong, and Methodist Ladies' College Melbourne. ImmerseMe is privately held, bootstrapped through a 2016 Kickstarter campaign and small Callaghan Innovation R&D grants, with no disclosed institutional venture investment.

Name

ImmerseMe

Legal name

ImmerseMe Ltd.

Website

https://immerseme.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ImmerseMe is a New Zealand-based EdTech company that delivers VR and 360° video-based language learning across 12 languages for K-12, higher education, vocational, and individual learners in 30+ countries, monetizing via per-student enterprise licensing, individual subscriptions, and its annual ImmerseMe Games competition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Language Learning Software

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Software Publishers (5132), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Immersive Language & Cultural Learning (Conversational VR, Role-Play) (EDAFAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

AI-Powered Language Tutors, Chatbots & Speaking Practice Tools (EDAFAOAC), Voice Assistants & Voice UI (VUI) (HDAAAFAD)

Keywords

• Virtual reality learning
• Language learning software
• Immersive education platform
• VR language training
• Educational technology tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Per-Student License (Institutional): Annual subscription model for educational institutions with per-student licensing. Includes access to all languages and content, with complimentary teacher access.
2. Individual Subscription: Direct-to-consumer subscription with 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month options. US$300/year for individual access.
3. ImmerseMe Games Participation Fee: Free for current subscribers and new schools; $30/student (+ GST if NZ/AUS) for returning non-subscribers to participate in annual competition

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ImmerseMe provides a virtual reality and 360° video-based language learning platform that places learners in authentic real-world scenarios (restaurants, shops, museums) across 12 languages, with AI-powered speech recognition and ChatGPT-driven conversational practice. The platform is sold via per-student enterprise licensing to schools, universities, and vocational institutions, and through direct individual subscriptions for self-directed learners.

Product overview

ImmerseMe is a unified VR-based language learning platform offering immersive 360° video experiences across 12 languages. The core product combines speech recognition with AI-powered conversational tools (including ChatGPT integration) for interactive practice. The platform is accessible via Desktop, Tablet/Mobile, and VR headset. Key modules include ImmerseMe Games (annual global competition) and the Teacher Dashboard for educator oversight. The company offers Enterprise licensing for schools/organizations and Individual subscriptions for personal learners. ImmerseMe 2.0, a major platform upgrade grounded in cognitive science research on Effort, Growth, and Fluency, is scheduled for full migration in July 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ImmerseMe VR and 360° video-based language learning platform with 3,000+ interactive real-world scenarios across 12 languages, AI-powered speech recognition and ChatGPT-driven conversational practice, available on Desktop, Tablet/Mobile, and Oculus VR headsets. Sold via per-student enterprise licensing to schools, universities, and vocational institutions, and via direct individual subscriptions to self-directed learners.
• ImmerseMe 2.0 Major cognitive science-based upgrade of the ImmerseMe platform that introduces AI-powered performance measurement across three pillars (Effort, Growth, Fluency) and provides an updated framework for tracking learner progress in language acquisition.
• ImmerseMe Games Annual global VR language learning competition in which students earn points by completing platform-based language scenarios. Includes Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Laureate achievement awards, mini-competitions during the event week, and a $30/student participation fee for returning non-subscribers; free for current subscribers and new schools.

Quantifiable outcome

• Used by over 150,000 language learners in 30+ countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Double YolkcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 November 2019Senior development team that picked up the development mantle since November 2019, continuing platform development
• FourthMediacoreTechnology or IntegrationSoftware development partner responsible for writing source code to build ImmerseMe from inception until mid-2019
• University of Arizona (Research)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with Joan Palmiter Bajorek, PhD Candidate, investigating 'Virtual Reality Technology ImmerseMe Software: Speaking, Interactivity, & Time' - presented at CALICO 2018
• McGill University (Research)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with Kevin Papin, French Lecturer, investigating 'Can 360 virtual reality tasks impact L2 willingness to communicate?' - presented at CALICO 2019
• Agri Ibrahim Cecen University (Research)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with Dr Serpil Meri-Yilan on 'A Constructivist Desktop Virtual Reality-Based Approach to Learning in a Higher Education Institution'
• Tulane UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with School of Liberal Arts to contribute to language education advancement while gaining insights into growing VR industry
• Language Teacher Association AffiliatesminorGTM or Marketing Partner12+ professional language teacher associations (MLTAT, NZALT, Languages Roadshow, MLTANSW, WILTA, AGTV, NSW School of Languages, MLTAWA, NZAJLT, VATS, MGTAV, VILTA) promoting ImmerseMe Games to their networks

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Duolingo: The dominant consumer language-learning app with gamified lessons across 40+ languages. Most comparable to ImmerseMe on the individual subscription side, and serves as the primary substitute for school-district procurement on cost grounds.
• Babbel: Subscription-based language learning platform covering 14 languages with conversational dialogue modules. Directly competes with ImmerseMe's individual tier and increasingly with B2B/B2E use cases among enterprise language training buyers.
• Mondly: VR and AR-enabled language learning app offering immersive conversation practice across 41 languages. Closely comparable to ImmerseMe on the VR/AR deliverable and serves similar consumer and education buyers.
• Memrise: Video-first language learning platform using native-speaker footage and AI-driven personalization. Comparable to ImmerseMe on the authentic video content approach and consumer/learner subscription model.
• Busuu: Subscription language learning app combining AI-personalized lessons with community feedback from native speakers. Comparable to ImmerseMe's individual learner subscription model and increasingly competes at the school level through its premium B2B offering.
• ClassVR: VR hardware + content platform specifically targeted at K-12 classrooms. The most head-to-head competitor in the VR-enabled K-12 language and STEM curriculum segment ImmerseMe sells into.
• FluentU: Language learning platform using authentic video content (movie clips, news, music) with interactive captions and vocabulary tools. Comparable to ImmerseMe's authentic-context approach with a stronger consumer/teacher footprint in K-12 and higher education.

Broad incumbents

• Rosetta Stone: Long-standing incumbent in digital language learning with both consumer and institutional products. Overlaps with ImmerseMe's higher education and consumer segments but lacks immersive VR scenarios.

Emerging players

• ELSA Speak: AI-powered English pronunciation coach using speech recognition. Directly comparable to the speech recognition and pronunciation feedback capabilities in ImmerseMe's speaking modules, but focuses on a single skill.
• Speak: AI-driven conversational English tutor that simulates spoken dialogue practice. Targets ImmerseMe's conversational practice use case via an OpenAI-backed voice agent, positioned as a cheaper/always-available alternative.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/immerseme_vr
• Facebookfacebook.com/immersemevr

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors1 record

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 ImmerseMe