51Talk Reports 71% Revenue Growth Amid Expanding Student Base

51Talk Online Education Group saw its net revenues climb to US$31.2 million in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 70.9% increase over the previous year. The Singapore-based firm reported that its active student count reached 132,900, bolstered by a significant rise in demand for its English learning services.

The company’s gross billings reached US$33.3 million, a 51.9% jump compared to the first quarter of 2025, exceeding management's prior guidance. Despite this growth, 51Talk reported an operating loss of US$1.4 million, reflecting a slight improvement from the US$1.5 million loss recorded in the same period last year. CEO Jack Jiajia Huang attributed the financial performance to robust demand across key markets, even as the company navigated typical seasonal softness.

Operating expenses rose to US$24.4 million, driven largely by increased sales and marketing investments. The company is now shifting its focus toward a new AI-native learning experience, expected to launch later this year. This initiative aims to enhance platform efficiency and personalization. While gross margin dipped to 73.7% from 76.8% due to higher payment processing costs, the firm maintains a positive outlook, projecting gross billings between US$36 million and US$38 million for the second quarter of 2026.