CodeSignal, a technology assessment firm that counts Index Ventures and Menlo Ventures among its backers; code signal learning. The new platform is aimed at audiences who want to learn technical content and also features an AI-powered bot called Cosmo to help users learn.
The company says it will have hundreds of courses at launch, ranging from introductory to programming, language-specific tutorials, data analysis, and machine learning. CodeSignal eventually hopes to expand into non-technical areas, such as management skills, to further your career path.
How does the platform work?
CodeSignal Learn is currently accepting users through a waiting list. When you log in, the Cosmo bot will ask you questions such as what you want to learn and what your skill level is. Based on it, your course path will be formed.
Image credits: code signal
The platform has two tiers, and the company has chosen the gamified path to monetize its product. The free tier allows you to progress through the lessons on your own. However, as soon as you ask Cosmo bot a question or help him evaluate a code, he loses one energy bar. Free users get 5 energy bars, which will be charged by 1 energy bar every 4 hours. This whole process has the feel of a mobile game.
If you don't want to go through any of this hassle, you can pay up to $24.99 per month and get unlimited energy.
Users can learn through text on a variety of subjects or convert lessons into presentations in the form of slideshows or videos. The company creates its courses with subject matter experts to focus on practice-first learning, so 90% of the course content typically involves users working in an integrated development environment (IDE). says there is a need.
Why is CodeSignal developing a learning platform?
The company was founded in 2014 as a competitive coding platform and was originally named CodeFight. But as it evolved, the startup focused more on technical evaluations and rebranded to CodeSignal in 2018.
CodeSignal CEO Tigran Sloyan told TechCrunch over the phone that the co-founders founded the company with a mission to find skilled workers and develop the skills that will shape the future. Ta. Sloyan said he wanted the startup to do it all and make educational products as well.
“We quickly realized that focus is everything. So we thought we first needed to fix appraisals, as they are fundamental to both hiring and development.” He said. With the new platform, the company is refocusing on the idea of developing people's skills.
“We felt that we could not create an innovative educational product until we found a great one-on-one tutoring product. However, with the rise of AI-based technology, we knew now was the right time. I felt it,” Sloyan said.
While the company believes its learning platform will upskill a wide range of users, CodeSignal is thinking about its customers and how it can work to close the skills gap for its employees and the people it wants to hire. Ta.
Competition and the way forward
Multiple companies compete in both the technology assessment and skill building markets. LinkedIn, which is owned by Microsoft, has both learning and assessment modules. Last year, the company launched an AI-powered learning assistant. Pluralsight, which Sloyan feels is CodeSignal's biggest competitor, also has a review product. There are many competitors in the learning space, such as Coursera and Udemy, as well as more specialized competitors such as Guild and Articulate.
Sloyan believes CodeSignal has an advantage because of its hands-on learning approach. Additionally, he believes the Cosmo AI bot is like having a tutor by your side.
The company is also launching CodeSignal for teams and beta testing its enterprise product, with plans to offer a more customized version to larger organizations. The CEO expects this learning product to generate his 50% of the company's revenue in two years.
CodeSignal raised its last investment in 2021 with a $50 million Series C. The startup is not yet profitable and has no plans to raise another round anytime soon. The company has raised $87.5 million to date. The company has 200 employees, nearly triple the 2021 workforce of 70.