Kahoot Buys Language Game Company Drops
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 12/07/20
Online
learning quiz maestro Kahoot!
has acquired Drops,
a company that produces language learning apps. Drops uses game-like
activities to help people pick up a new language in daily five-minute
sessions. The sale price was $31 million in cash with a $19 million
bonus for meeting performance targets through 2022. Kahoot said that
the acquisition was part of a strategy to expand into new areas of
learning for school, work and home.
Drops'
set of apps teaches language essentials--alphabets and
vocabulary--through "snackable," swipe-based gaming
components that use simple illustrations and visual association. The
company currently covers 42 languages and said it has 25 million
users. Revenue in 2019 was a reported €6.3 million.
"We've
introduced millions of users across the globe to our playful, dynamic
approach to language learning. Kahoot is doing the same for all types
of learning," said Daniel Farkas, co-founder and CEO of Drops,
in a press release. "We're excited to work with such a
mission-aligned company to introduce the Drops platform to
game-loving learners everywhere."
"We
are thrilled to welcome Drops to the expanding Kahoot family as we
advance towards our vision to become the leading learning platform in
the world," added Eilert Hanoa, CEO of Kahoot. "Drops'
offerings and innovative learning model are a perfect match to
Kahoot's mission of making learning awesome through a simple,
game-based approach."
About the Author
Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.