Write & Improve
Write & Improve, developed by the University of Cambridge, is a freemium web platform that uses supervised machine learning trained on the 30-million-word Cambridge Learner Corpus to provide automated English writing feedback, CEFR level assessment, and IELTS/B2 First score estimation for EFL learners, teachers, and institutions worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Write & Improve does
Write & Improve is a web-based English language learning platform developed and operated by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a part of the University of Cambridge. The product provides automated writing assessment and feedback for non-native English speakers (EFL learners) at every CEFR proficiency level from A1 to C2. Its core technology is a supervised machine learning engine trained on the Cambridge Learner Corpus — a proprietary 30-million-word, error-annotated dataset of EFL essays scored by human examiners — which powers CEFR level estimation, IELTS Academic/General Training and Cambridge B2 First scoring, sentence-level color-coded feedback, and a 90%-confidence error detection system with 268 graded feedback variants. Users can submit essays on hundreds of free tasks or create custom tasks; a personal progress graph tracks the last 10 checks.
The business model is a freemium-plus-modules structure. The free tier requires no registration and serves as the top-of-funnel acquisition engine. Three paid modules monetize the user base: +Test Zone IELTS and +Test Zone B2 First are individual subscriptions offering 52, 40, and 76 exam-aligned tasks respectively with estimated band/Cambridge English Scale scores; +Class View is a teacher and institution subscription priced per member (with a two-month free trial and online management for up to 400 members, custom-quoted above that). A specialized OET workbook addresses the healthcare professional segment. Go-to-market mixes product-led self-serve with teacher-led word-of-mouth, a 25% referral discount program, content marketing via the Cambridge English channels, and direct sales for large institutions. The product operates globally as a responsive web application (no native mobile app, no public API) and is offered in English and Spanish. A sister product, Speak & Improve, was launched in 2022 to extend the AI assessment capability into spoken English.
Write & Improve firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Write & Improve
- Legal name
- Cambridge University Press & Assessment
- Website
- https://writeandimprove.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Write & Improve, developed by the University of Cambridge, is a freemium web platform that uses supervised machine learning trained on the 30-million-word Cambridge Learner Corpus to provide automated English writing feedback, CEFR level assessment, and IELTS/B2 First score estimation for EFL learners, teachers, and institutions worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Write & Improve industry classification
Industry- Product category
- English Language Learning Software
- NAICS
- Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Writing Skills & Composition Enrichment (EDAMAJAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Foundational Reading & Writing Literacy (EDAAAAAA)
Keywords
Where Write & Improve is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Write & Improve business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Freemium Free Tier: Write & Improve Free provides basic access with hundreds of tasks across all CEFR levels (A1-C2), automatic feedback, and progress tracking. This free tier attracts users who may later convert to premium subscriptions.
- +Test Zone Subscription: Monthly subscription providing access to exam-specific tasks including 52 IELTS Academic Writing tasks, 40 IELTS General Training tasks, and 76 B2 First tasks. Users receive estimated exam scores and feedback aligned to official exam criteria. Includes 5 free tasks for trial before subscribing.
- +Class View Subscription: Monthly subscription for teachers and organizations to manage student progress. Priced per member (students plus teachers) with a 2-month free trial available. Up to 400 members can be managed online; larger organizations receive custom quotes. Includes all +Test Zone features.
- Referral Program Revenue: Existing subscribers can earn 25% discount vouchers for 3 months by referring friends who subscribe to +Test Zone or +Class View, driving customer acquisition through word-of-mouth.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Write & Improve Free - Full-featured free tier for all learners |
| Subscription | Monthly | +Test Zone IELTS Academic - Exam practice with 52 tasks |
| Subscription | Monthly | +Test Zone IELTS General Training - 40 exam tasks |
| Subscription | Monthly | +Test Zone B2 First - 76 exam tasks at £4.50/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | +Class View - Teacher/organization subscription priced per member |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Write & Improve product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Write & Improve is a web-based AI-powered English writing assessment tool developed by the University of Cambridge that provides automated feedback on learner essays and CEFR level scoring. It is trained on the 30-million-word Cambridge Learner Corpus using supervised machine learning and is offered as a free core tool with premium subscriptions for exam preparation (+Test Zone) and classroom management (+Class View).
Product overview
Write & Improve is a platform-plus-modules educational technology product developed by the University of Cambridge. The core offering is the free Write & Improve tool, which provides automated English writing assessment and feedback using supervised machine learning trained on the Cambridge Learner Corpus. This is enhanced by premium add-on modules: +Test Zone IELTS (for IELTS Academic/General Training exam preparation with 52 tasks and IELTS band scoring), +Test Zone B2 First (for Cambridge B2 First exam practice with 76 tasks), and +Class View (a teacher dashboard for classroom management, progress tracking, and student cohort administration). A specialized Healthcare/OET workbook also exists for medical professionals. The product uses CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) as its primary proficiency scale across all modules.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Write & Improve +Test Zone: Premium subscription service offering IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, and B2 First exam practice tasks with estimated scores.
- Write & Improve +Class View
- Speak & Improve
Products and services
- Write & Improve Free A free online English writing practice tool that provides automated feedback on learner essays, CEFR level assessments (A1-C2), and error detection for EFL students at all proficiency levels. Users can practice with hundreds of tasks, submit writing, receive instant feedback, and track their progress over time.
- Write & Improve +Test Zone IELTS A premium monthly subscription providing intensive IELTS Academic and General Training writing practice with 52 IELTS Academic tasks, 40 General Training tasks, timed exam simulations, and estimated IELTS band scores mapped to the Cambridge English Scale.
- Write & Improve +Test Zone B2 First A premium monthly subscription for Cambridge B2 First exam preparation offering 76 exam tasks (including 20 free tasks), realistic exam simulations, and estimated Cambridge English Scale scores at £4.50 per month.
- Write & Improve +Class View A monthly subscription for teachers and organizations providing classroom management tools including student progress tracking, CEFR-standardized reporting, teacher feedback capabilities, custom workbook creation, and management of up to 400 students with a 2-month free trial.
- Write & Improve for Healthcare (OET Workbook) A specialized workbook offering two official OET (Occupational English Test) Writing tasks per healthcare profession for medical professionals (doctors, nurses, dentists) preparing for the OET examination, including healthcare scenario letter writing such as referral, discharge, and transfer letters.
Quantifiable outcome
- Instant feedback in seconds rather than days waiting for teacher marking
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Write & Improve
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Write & Improve technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability4 records
Feature9 records
Write & Improve partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Write & Improve competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Grammarly: Grammarly is the leading general-purpose AI writing assistant for grammar, spelling, and tone correction across consumer and enterprise users. It competes with Write & Improve in AI-powered writing feedback, although it is broader (not EFL-only) and is built around correctness rather than CEFR-aligned proficiency scoring.
- Babbel: Babbel is a global subscription language-learning platform with structured lessons across multiple languages including English. It addresses the same self-serve English-learning learner base as Write & Improve's free tier, but with a broader curriculum and a paid-first model.
- EF Education First: EF Education First is one of the world's largest English-language learning organizations, combining online courses, study-abroad programs, and standardized English assessments. It overlaps with Write & Improve in self-directed EFL learning and CEFR-aligned progression tracking.
Emerging players
- Quizlet: Quizlet is a widely used study and learning platform with study modes, practice tests, and teacher tools. It overlaps with Write & Improve's teacher-led classroom workflows and learner practice flows, though it is a general study tool rather than an English-writing specialist.
- Cambly: Cambly is an online marketplace connecting English learners with native-speaker tutors for one-on-one conversation lessons. It targets the same global EFL learner persona seeking feedback on their English skills, complementing rather than directly substituting for Write & Improve's automated writing feedback.
- Elsa Speak: Elsa Speak is an AI-powered English pronunciation and speaking-coaching app targeting non-native speakers. It is comparable to Write & Improve as a fellow AI-driven, mobile-first English-learning specialist and is conceptually adjacent to Cambridge's Speak & Improve companion product.
Direct peers
- Duolingo English Test: Duolingo English Test is an online, on-demand English proficiency test accepted by universities and institutions worldwide. It overlaps with Write & Improve's CEFR-based assessment and Cambridge English Scale outputs, serving the same English-proficiency benchmarking use case for learners.
- E2Language: E2Language is an online IELTS and PTE preparation platform with a strong focus on writing feedback and band-score prediction. It directly competes with Write & Improve's +Test Zone IELTS subscription by targeting the same EFL test-prep segment with instructor-led and AI-assisted writing practice.
- Magoosh: Magoosh is an online test-prep company offering IELTS, TOEFL, and GRE prep with lessons, practice questions, and score predictors. It competes with Write & Improve's exam-prep subscriptions in the same standardized-test-writing market.
- IELTS Liz: IELTS Liz is a widely used IELTS preparation site offering writing lessons, sample answers, and feedback-oriented content aimed at the same test-prep learners that Write & Improve's +Test Zone attracts. It is comparable as a content-and-feedback-driven IELTS writing resource.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Write & Improve social profiles
Digital presenceWrite & Improve financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Write & Improve leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Write & Improve funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Write & Improve 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 Write & Improve
What does Write & Improve do?
Write & Improve is a web-based AI-powered English writing assessment tool developed by the University of Cambridge that provides automated feedback on learner essays and CEFR level scoring. It is trained on the 30-million-word Cambridge Learner Corpus using supervised machine learning and is offered as a free core tool with premium subscriptions for exam preparation (+Test Zone) and classroom management (+Class View).
Is Write & Improve a public or private company?
Write & Improve is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Write & Improve founded?
Write & Improve was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Write & Improve based?
Write & Improve is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does Write & Improve make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Freemium Free Tier is the primary driver. The others are +Test Zone Subscription, +Class View Subscription and referral Program Revenue.
Who are Write & Improve's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Grammarly, Babbel and EF Education First. Emerging players are Quizlet, Cambly and Elsa Speak. Direct peers are Duolingo English Test, E2Language, Magoosh and IELTS Liz.
Does Write & Improve have an API?
No public API is recorded for Write & Improve.
What industry is Write & Improve in?
Write & Improve's product category is English Language Learning Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAJAC, Writing Skills & Composition Enrichment, with a secondary code of EDAAAAAA, Foundational Reading & Writing Literacy. Its NAICS code is 611691 and its SIC code is 7372.