Speakeasy Berlin

What Speakeasy Berlin does

Speakeasy Berlin is a privately-held German language school founded in 2011 in Berlin-Friedrichshain, operating a second campus in Berlin-Charlottenburg (opened September 2023) and serving as part of a wider branded network spanning Hamburg, Munich, Bremen, Stuttgart, Zurich, and Vienna, with affiliated German Studios locations in Cologne and Frankfurt. The school delivers CEFR-aligned A1 through C1 instruction across Intensive (4 days/week, 15 hours/week), Super-Intensive (5 days/week, 18 hours/week, visa-eligible), Evening, Conversation, and Private formats, priced between €159 and €489 per month, with longer-commitment discounts reaching approximately 35% for 12-month packages. It is also an official telc examination center administering internationally recognized German, English, and Spanish tests starting at €159 per examination.

Core technology is a hybrid in-person and online learning stack built around Zoom-enabled virtual classrooms, a proprietary library system providing 24/7 material access, the speakeasy Campus App for course/homework management, and the MySpeakMate AI-powered conversation coach app for iOS and Android. The proprietary AI app provides real-time grammar and expression feedback via generative AI across text and audio modalities, and is bundled free with course enrollment.

The business is direct-to-consumer with supporting B2B distribution. GTM combines a self-serve website course configurator (DE/EN/ES interfaces), physical front-desk multilingual sales staff covering eight languages, free community events for retention and referral, and a dedicated corporate channel for on-site or virtual business German training. Revenue is generated primarily through recurring subscription course fees, one-time telc examination fees, ancillary services (visa letters at €50, enrollment certificates at €5), and bundled AI and Library access. Differentiators rest on small group sizes (average 8-10, max 14 students), continuous free support services (daily online tutoring Mon-Fri 17:00-19:00, workshops, Stammtisch), and the regulatory moat of telc center status.

Name

Speakeasy Berlin

Legal name

Speakeasy Berlin

Website

https://speakeasysprachzeug.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Speakeasy Berlin is a privately-held German language school operating two Berlin campuses and online, delivering CEFR A1-C1 courses, official telc examinations, and AI-supported learning to international adults, visa students, and corporate clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Language School Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

General Language Schools & Institutes (EDAMAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Language Proficiency Exam Prep (CEFR, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, PTE) (EDANACAD), Exam Preparation Language Programs (IELTS/TOEFL/DELE/DALF/HSK, etc.) (EDAIAEAD)

Keywords

• German language courses
• Language school services
• Telc examination center
• Corporate German training
• Online language learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Group Language Courses: Core revenue stream from German language courses (Intensive, Super-Intensive, Evening, Conversation). Students pay monthly or at discounted rates for multi-month packages. Prices range from 159-489 EUR/month depending on course intensity.
2. Individual/Private Lessons: One-on-one German instruction with flexible scheduling. Priced at 77 EUR for trial session, 310-465 EUR for 4-session packages, 695-1045 EUR for 10-session packages.
3. telc Language Examinations: International language proficiency certifications (German, English, Spanish) administered on-site. Pricing starts at 159 EUR per examination.
4. Course Materials and Books: Sale of course and workbook sets. A1.1-B1.2 sets priced at 27.50 EUR, B2.1-C1.2 sets at 25.00 EUR.
5. Certificate and Document Services: Enrollment certificates (5 EUR), official visa confirmation letters (50 EUR).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Speakeasy Berlin delivers in-person and online German language courses across CEFR levels A1 to C1 through multiple formats (Intensive, Super-Intensive, Evening, Conversation, and Private lessons), supported by small group sizes (average 8-10, max 14 students). It is an official telc examination center administering certified German tests on-site, complemented by exam preparation tutoring. Revenue is generated from recurring course subscriptions, private lesson packages, one-time examination fees, course materials, and ancillary services such as visa confirmation letters.

Product overview

Speakeasy Berlin is a German language school operating two locations in Berlin (East in Friedrichshain and West in Charlottenburg). The core offering consists of in-person and online German language courses aligned with CEFR levels A1-C1, including Intensivkurs (intensive, 4 days/week), Super-Intensivkurs (super-intensive, 5 days/week for visa purposes), Abendkurs (evening courses for professionals), Einzelunterricht (private tutoring), Firmenkurse (corporate courses), and Konversationskurse (conversation practice). The school also administers official telc German examinations at all levels. Supplementary offerings include free online learning support, workshops on German grammar and daily life topics, cultural events, and a scholarship program. Technology-enhanced learning is delivered through the AI-powered MySpeakMate app for conversational practice, the speakeasy Campus App for course management, and a podcast. Courses are conducted in small groups (average 8-10, max 14 participants) with native German-speaking teachers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MySpeakMate: AI-powered German language coaching app for practicing real conversations
• speakeasy Campus App
• speakeasy Pledge
• speakeasy Scholarship

Products and services

• Intensivkurs Deutsch (Intensive German Course) Fast-paced in-person intensive German course meeting 4 days per week (Monday-Thursday) for 2 hours 45 minutes per session; targets adults wanting to complete one CEFR level in 2 months with small group sizes.
• Super-Intensivkurs Deutsch (Super-Intensive German Course) Most intensive in-person German course meeting 5 days per week (Monday-Friday) for 18 hours per week; combines intensive coursework with conversational Friday sessions and meets visa requirements for non-EU applicants needing 18+ hours/week of certified study.
• Abendkurs Deutsch (Evening German Course) Evening in-person German course for working professionals, meeting two evenings per week (90 minutes per session) at 18:00 or 19:45; covers one CEFR level in 4 months with 16 hours per month.
• Einzelunterricht Deutsch (Private German Tutoring) One-on-one German instruction tailored to individual needs; flexible scheduling with packages of 4 or 10 sessions of 60 or 90 minutes, includes trial lesson and telc-examiner-led exam preparation.
• Sprachvisum Kurs (Language Visa Course) Specialized German course meeting minimum 18 hours per week to qualify for the German language learning visa (Sprachvisum); includes official confirmation letter for visa applications (EUR 50 one-time fee).
• Firmenkurse (Corporate German Courses) Business-focused German language courses customized to company needs; delivered on-site at client premises or online; covers business writing, presentations, and negotiations for employees of Berlin companies from startups to larger corporations.
• Konversationskurs Deutsch (German Conversation Course) German conversation practice course focused on speaking skills and fluency; available online and included as Friday conversational sessions in the Super-Intensive course.
• Prüfungsvorbereitungskurs (telc Exam Preparation Course) Preparation course for official telc German language examinations, including private tutoring with licensed telc examiners to prepare students for internationally recognized certification at A1-C1 levels.
• telc Prüfungen (telc Examinations) Officially certified German language examinations aligned with CEFR levels A1 through C1 Hochschule, including the digital Digitelc format; administered on-site with three examination dates per month and starting at EUR 159 per exam.
• Online Deutschkurse (Online German Courses) Live online German courses in virtual classrooms via Zoom, including online versions of Intensive (EUR 299/month), Super-Intensive (EUR 419/month), Semi-Intensive, Evening (EUR 199/month), Conversation (EUR 159/month), and Private (from EUR 220 packages).
• Deutschkurs für Anfänger (German Course for Beginners) Entry-level German courses for absolute beginners (A1 level), including compact 3-week beginner courses and standard 4-week options across Intensive, Super-Intensive, and Evening formats.
• speakeasy Stipendium (Scholarship) Scholarship program offering 3 German course scholarships for up to 6 months across Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich locations, with additional prize drawings of EUR 1,500, EUR 1,000, and EUR 500 for 2026.

Quantifiable outcome

• Complete one CEFR level (A1, A2, B1) in 2 months with Intensive/Super-Intensive courses
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Kinderhospiz Sonnenhof (Children's Hospice)minorOthers · 1 January 2024Charitable donation recipient under speakeasy Pledge program. Donated 5,000 EUR in 2024 as part of company's commitment to donate 10% of profits (minimum 10,000 EUR annually) to charitable causes.
• Berliner Kältehilfe (Berlin Cold Aid)minorOthers · 1 January 2024Charitable donation recipient under speakeasy Pledge program. Donated 2,500 EUR in 2024 to support homeless shelters during winter months.
• SternsingerminorOthers · 1 January 2024Charitable donation recipient under speakeasy Pledge program. Donation to support children's charity initiative.
• JoobleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJob posting platform partnership for recruitment marketing. Jooble logo displayed in website footer as partner.
• MomondominorGTM or Marketing PartnerTravel website partnership for cross-promotion. Momondo logo displayed in website footer as partner, providing travel-related content and services to language learners.
• telc GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial telc language testing center partnership. Speakeasy administers telc German, English, and Spanish examinations (A1-C1) on-site. Examinations are internationally recognized for university admissions, employment, and visa purposes.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Babbel: Berlin-headquartered subscription language-learning app offering self-paced German courses with speech recognition. Adjacent competitor for entry-level A1-A2 learners who might otherwise choose classroom instruction; rising substitute in the foundational segment.
• Duolingo: Global AI-driven language-learning platform with a large free German track and Super subscription. Indirect competitor and primary substitute risk for A1-B1 self-study learners considering paid in-person courses.

Broad incumbents

• Goethe-Institut: Global, publicly backed German language and culture institution with the strongest brand in German language instruction worldwide. Operates across many countries and offers full CEFR courses plus official Goethe-Zertifikat exams — broader incumbent with overlapping curriculum and certification.
• Carl Duisberg Centren: Established German language and professional training provider with locations including Berlin, offering intensive courses, telc exam prep, and corporate language training. Comparable curriculum and customer segments, with broader professional-training scope.

Direct peers

• Hartnackschule Berlin: Long-standing Berlin German language school covering all CEFR levels with intensive and evening formats. Direct competitor targeting the same expat and visa-track student population in Berlin.
• GLS Berlin (German Language School): Established Berlin German language school providing intensive, super-intensive, evening, and telc exam preparation across CEFR levels. Directly comparable in city footprint, target audience (international expats and visa-track learners), and course catalog.
• Didactiq German Courses Berlin: Berlin-based German language school offering intensive, evening, and telc preparation courses targeting expats and visa-track students. Comparable city-level competitor with similar CEFR coverage and price positioning.
• DeutschAkademie: Berlin- and Munich-based German language school offering intensive, evening, and private courses across CEFR levels with telc exam preparation. Closest direct competitor to Speakeasy in target city, course structure, and customer base (international adults, visa-track learners).
• Tandem Berlin: Independent Berlin language school offering German courses across CEFR levels with telc exam prep and small-group instruction. Targets the same international adult learner segment with a comparable product mix.

Regional players

• German Studios (Cologne & Frankfurt): Speakeasy's affiliated brand operating language schools in Cologne and Frankfurt, offering comparable CEFR- and telc-aligned German courses. Sister brand within the broader Speakeasy network extending the same model into other German cities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/speakeasyinberlin
• Instagraminstagram.com/speakeasyberlin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/speakeasy-berlin1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Speakeasy Berlin