Duolingo has acquired NextBeat, the developer behind the game Beatstar

Duolingo, the app known for language education, has taken over NextBeat, the creator behind Beatstar and a startup focused on music gaming. This move aims to elevate Duolingo's music curriculum with an engaging and entertaining approach akin to top mobile games.

The acquisition involves NextBeat's team of 23 professionals with expertise in areas such as game design, user engagement, revenue generation, sound engineering, and music rights. This strategic expansion is intended to enhance Duolingo's game-based learning evolution.

Furthermore, this deal marks Duolingo's inaugural establishment in the United Kingdom.

Bob Meese, Duolingo's chief business officer, stated, “Learning should be equally riveting as a fantastic game, whether it's mastering a new language or enjoying a beloved tune. This move is a strategic investment in talent. The profound knowledge in mobile gaming and the music sector that the NextBeat team brings will render our Music course, and the Duolingo platform as a whole, more engaging, enjoyable, and impactful.”

Simon Hade, CEO of NextBeat, commented, “From the outset, the alignment in vision was obvious: prioritizing learners, a dedication to brilliant design, and maintaining a light-hearted approach. Partnering up allows us to infuse our enthusiasm for music and gaming into a platform reinventing the learning experience.”

Earlier in the year, Space Ape Games launched the new venture NextBeat, highlighting projects like Beatstar and Country Star under its repertoire.

Space Ape's investment story includes Supercell, which had previously acquired 62% of Space Ape and increased its investment by acquiring the London-based studio in November.