The Tim Ferriss Show

#607: Luis von Ahn, Co-Founder and CEO of Duolingo — How to Be (Truly) Mission-Driven, Monetization Experiments, 10x Growth, Org Chart Iterations for Impacting Metrics, The Intricate Path to an IPO, Best Hiring Practices, Catching Exam Cheaters, The Allure of Toto Toilets, The Future of Duolingo, and How to Stand Out in Your Career

507 snips
Jul 13, 2022
Luis von Ahn, co-founder and CEO of Duolingo, shares his journey from a Guatemalan upbringing to shaping global language education. He humorously discusses the origins of Duolingo's owl mascot and delves into the platform's innovative monetization strategies. Luis explores mission-driven business growth, the impacts of cultural trends on language learning, and plans for expanding educational offerings. He also touches on serious issues like corruption in Guatemala, all while making it engaging and relatable, highlighting personal wellness and effective management practices.
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ANECDOTE

Green Owl

  • Duolingo's owl mascot is green because co-founder Severin Hacker jokingly said he hated green.
  • The owl was chosen because it symbolizes knowledge in Western cultures.
INSIGHT

Duolingo's Origin

  • Luis von Ahn, raised in Guatemala, co-invented CAPTCHAs and sold companies to Google.
  • He co-founded Duolingo to offer free language education, inspired by education costs in Guatemala.
ANECDOTE

Duolingo's Growth

  • Duolingo grew from 60 to 600 employees and went public since 2016.
  • Initially relying on venture capital, they adopted a freemium model after a board member's advice.
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