TopUp Learning

What TopUp Learning does

TopUp Learning is a London-based private online English language school operating since 2017, delivering live English instruction to individual learners globally through a web-based virtual classroom platform integrated with Zoom. The curriculum spans the full CEFR range (A1 to C1/C2) and is structured into General English, age-segmented programmes (Smart Kids for ages 5–11, Super Teens for ages 12–16), one-to-one private lessons, and preparation courses for IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, Cambridge, and Duolingo English Tests. Live classes are taught by CELTA/DELTA-qualified native speakers from the UK, USA, and New Zealand in groups capped at 10 students, supplemented by self-study modules, recorded webinars, a personal progress dashboard, and the Talk24 Speaking Club for conversational practice.

The underlying technology is a WordPress-based e-commerce and learning platform with Zoom video integration for live lessons, Facebook and Google single sign-on, and a multi-language customer interface supporting 12 languages including Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian. Content is a mix of proprietary in-house materials and Cambridge University Press resources, and the platform is British Council accredited with Bildungsurlaub recognition for German learners.

The business model combines subscription-based live group classes (£50–£100/month per learner, with discounts for 3- and 12-month commitments), pay-as-you-go one-to-one lesson packages (£45–£54/lesson), and revenue sharing with a global network of recruitment partners who receive commission tracking dashboards. Distribution is predominantly direct-to-consumer via the topuplearning.com website, with an indirect channel layer of international recruitment partners, including dedicated North Africa business development personnel. Pricing is publicly disclosed in British pounds with optional local currency display, a 7-day free trial, and a no-refund-after-trial policy.

Name

TopUp Learning

Legal name

TopUp Learning

Website

https://topuplearning.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TopUp Learning is a London-based online English language school founded in 2017, delivering live CEFR-aligned group and one-to-one lessons via Zoom to individual learners globally, with exam preparation courses for IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, Cambridge, and Duolingo tests.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Language Education

NAICS

Language Schools (61163), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Live Online Language Tutoring & Small-Group Classes (EDAMAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Integrated Tutoring + Learning Content Platforms (Curriculum + Tutors) (EDANAGAL), Foreign Language Subject Tutoring (School Coursework) (EDANAAAF)

Keywords

• Online English courses
• Language learning platform
• ESL education services
• Exam preparation courses
• Virtual classroom training

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Subscription-based Online Courses: Monthly, quarterly, and annual subscription plans for live group English courses. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled. Students pay for access to live classes and study materials for a defined period. Longer subscription terms offer lower monthly rates (e.g., £50-60/month for 12-month vs £80-100/month for 1-month).
2. One-to-One Private Lessons: Per-lesson or package-based purchasing of private English tutoring. Customers can purchase lesson bundles (4, 8, or 12 lessons) with per-lesson pricing decreasing as package size increases (£54/lesson single, £51/lesson for 4, £45/lesson for 12).
3. Global Recruitment Partner Revenue Sharing: Revenue generated from global recruitment partners who recruit students internationally. Partners receive revenue progress dashboards to track sales and commissions, and access exclusive partner discounts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

TopUp Learning operates a web-based online English language school delivering live group and one-to-one classes via a virtual classroom platform with native-speaker teachers from the UK, USA, and New Zealand. The curriculum covers all CEFR levels (Beginner A1 through Proficiency C2) and includes General English, age-segmented courses for kids and teens, exam preparation (IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, Cambridge, Duolingo), Business English, and one-to-one private lessons. Courses are sold through monthly/quarterly/annual subscriptions and per-lesson packages, complemented by free practice resources such as the Talk24 Speaking Club and recorded webinars.

Product overview

TopUp Learning is a complete online English school offering a portfolio of courses delivered through a web-based virtual classroom platform with live native-speaker teachers. The core offering consists of General English (covering all CEFR levels A1-C2), specialized exam preparation programs (IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, Cambridge, Duolingo), age-specific courses (Smart Kids English for ages 5-11, Super Teens English for ages 12-16), and One-to-One Live English private lessons. These are complemented by supplementary tools including Talk24 Speaking Club for conversational practice, eBooks for self-study, and practice/simulation modules. The platform operates on a subscription model with options for 1, 3, and 12-month subscriptions, all lessons are delivered live from the UK via Zoom integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 12-14 weeks to improve one English level when studying 5 days per week
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Global Recruitment PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational recruitment partners who recruit students from various countries for TopUp Learning's online English courses. Partners are assigned revenue progress dashboards to track sales and commissions, and receive exclusive partner discounts. The company actively recruits new partners to expand global reach.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Duolingo: Leading AI-driven language learning app with freemium model and English instruction among its largest offerings. Comparable as a competitor for English learners globally, though TopUp's accredited live teacher-led model is differentiated from app-based self-study.
• Babbel: Subscription language learning app with self-paced courses across multiple languages including English. Comparable in offering subscription English instruction but differs fundamentally in delivery (app-based self-study vs live teacher-led classes).

Broad incumbents

• British Council English Online: The accreditation body that accredits TopUp Learning also runs its own online English courses globally. Both offer British Council-aligned CEFR-based curriculum and certification to international learners.
• Wall Street English: International English language school chain operating in-person centers and online courses for adult learners. Comparable subscription-style model and focus on adult professional English learners in global markets.
• EF Education First: Global education company offering English language courses online and in-person across multiple countries. Comparable because both offer accredited English instruction with global reach, though EF operates at significantly larger scale and includes study abroad.
• Kaplan International Languages: Established English language school operator with online and in-person courses across multiple geographies. Comparable in offering CEFR-aligned English instruction with native-speaker teachers and exam preparation.

Direct peers

• italki: Global online marketplace connecting language learners with native-speaker tutors for one-to-one lessons. Comparable in targeting adult learners seeking flexible online English instruction, though italki operates a marketplace model versus TopUp's owned teaching team.
• Preply: Online tutoring marketplace for languages including English, with global tutor network. Comparable in offering flexible online English lessons with qualified teachers, though Preply's marketplace model differs from TopUp's owned-instructor approach.
• Open English: Online English school targeting Latin American Spanish-speakers with live group classes and native-speaker teachers. Highly comparable business model: subscription-based live online English instruction with similar product positioning.
• Cambly: Online platform connecting English learners with native-speaker tutors via on-demand video chat. Comparable in offering flexible online English conversation practice with native speakers, targeting similar international learner segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzQay4DWeikNzYGCiX1YEWA
• Facebookfacebook.com/TopUpLearning
• Instagraminstagram.com/topuplearning_tti
• Xx.com/TopUpLearning_T
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/topup-learning

Compliance3 records

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 TopUp Learning