African Language Learning Startup, TopSet rebrands as Lingawa
Lingawa, coined from the word “Linguistics” and “Wa” — a Yoruba word meaning "Our", reflects the company’s mission to ignite cultural pride and economic empowerment through African language learning.
TopSet, a Nigerian edtech startup, has announced its rebrand as Lingawa, in a strategic pivot from academic tutoring to African language learning, reflecting its mission to preserve and promote native languages.
Founded in 2022, the company set out to improve academic performance for K-12 students. However, in 2023, it pivoted to helping individuals learn and master their native languages, starting with Yoruba and Igbo.
With this new name and fresh funding— a $1.1 million pre-seed funding, the company plans to expand its offerings with additional languages by connecting Africans in the diaspora and global audiences to African languages and culture through immersive language learning.
Speaking on the rebrand from TopSet to Lingawa, Frank Williams, CEO of Lingawa, shares, “For the past few years, we have been TopSet … we have helped thousands [of people] preserve their languages, celebrate who they are, and share their stories. But as we grew, it felt like our name wasn’t fully capturing who we are.”
According to him, the name TopSet began to feel like ones favourite jacket that just doesn’t fit anymore. Even though the jacket itself is still great “but you’ve changed and evolved, and you need something that feels more like you,” he says. “That’s exactly where we found ourself with TopSet. We have built something amazing together; a community passionate about language, culture, and authentic connection. But as we have grown, we realised that our name needed to grow with us.”
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Lingawa, he says, is coined from the word “Linguistics” and “Wa” — a Yoruba word meaning “Our”.
“Lingawa isn’t just a word. It’s a blend, a harmony of meanings combining ‘Linguistic’ with ‘Wa’ meaning ‘Our’ in Yoruba, together which represents “Our Language,” he explains.
The new name reflects the company’s mission to ignite cultural pride and economic empowerment through African language learning. “Lingawa isn’t just a language platform. It’s a bridge. A keeper of our story. A celebration of who we are and where we come from,” Williams adds.
“This funding and our rebranding to Lingawa are powerful steps forward in ensuring that African heritage is not only preserved but celebrated worldwide. This is a win for every learner reconnecting with their roots and every family discovering the beauty of our shared culture,” he shared.
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