The Story
Duolingo emerged from the work of Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker, who believed that language learning should be free, accessible, and engaging. Founded in 2011, the company launched with a simple mission: democratize education worldwide through technology.
What began as a Pittsburgh startup became a global phenomenon. The app's gamified approach to language learning transformed how millions of people approach education. Duolingo went public on Nasdaq in 2021, proving that Pittsburgh could produce not just hardware and steel, but software and platforms that impact the world.
Today, with over 500 million users globally, Duolingo remains headquartered in Oakland, Pittsburgh. The company has become one of the largest employers of technology workers on the south side of Carnegie Mellon University, attracting world-class talent to the city and demonstrating Pittsburgh's capacity for innovation in the 21st century.
What Makes It Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh's transformation from an industrial powerhouse to a technology hub was far from inevitable. But companies like Duolingo—born from CMU research, built by homegrown talent, and staying rooted in the city—made that transition real and sustainable.
Duolingo represents a newer Pittsburgh: one where ideas, software, and human capital matter as much as coal and steel once did. The company's global impact began in a city known for its grit, resilience, and refusal to accept decline. That spirit of reinvention is encoded into Duolingo's DNA.