Seattle-based AI communication training startup Yoodli has secured a valuation exceeding $300 million, a figure more than triple its level from six months prior. This increased valuation follows a $40 million Series B funding round led by WestBridge Capital, with participation from Neotribe and Madrona. The latest investment brings the company’s total funding to nearly $60 million.
Yoodli, a four-year-old enterprise, employs AI to facilitate simulated scenarios for communication enhancement, including sales calls, leadership coaching, interviews, and feedback sessions. Co-founder Varun Puri stated that the platform focuses on augmenting human capabilities rather than replacing them, positioning it distinctly amid broader discussions concerning AI-driven automation in industrial settings.
Initially developed to assist with public speaking, the platform observed users leveraging its capabilities for interview preparation and sales pitches. This shift led Yoodli to pivot from a consumer-oriented product to enterprise training, providing AI role-plays and experiential learning tools for go-to-market enablement, partner certification, and management coaching. Puri indicated that traditional training methods often relied on passive, long-form content, which he described as less effective for practical skill acquisition.
The company’s client roster includes organizations such as Google, Snowflake, Databricks, RingCentral, and Sandler Sales for employee and partner training. Coaching firms like Franklin Covey and LHH also utilize Yoodli, customizing the system to their specific methodologies. Puri clarified that the tool is designed to complement human coaches by providing structured practice, asserting that “the pure essence of who you are and how you show up, and your authenticity and vulnerability that a human gives you feedback on will always exist.”
Yoodli operates with multiple large language models, allowing users to select options such as Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s GPT. The platform supports most major languages, including Korean, Japanese, French, and several Indian languages, and can be embedded into existing enterprise software or accessed via a web browser. Between its Series A and B rounds, Yoodli reported a 50% increase in the number of role-plays conducted and total user practice time, alongside a 900% growth in average recurring revenue over the past 12 months, though specific figures were not disclosed.
The recent funding will be allocated to expanding Yoodli’s AI coaching, analytics, and personalization tools, and to growing its presence in enterprise learning and professional development. The Seattle-headquartered firm plans to hire across product, AI research, and customer success, while also expanding into the Asia-Pacific region and strengthening its footprint in the U.S. Recent senior appointments include Josh Vitello as Chief Revenue Officer, Andy Larson as Chief Financial Officer, and Padmashree Koneti as Chief Product Officer.
