As college costs rise and student loan debts increase, three former executives from the language learning app Duolingo are creating a new startup to make college education more affordable and accessible.

The company, tentatively named Outsmart Education, is led by co-founders Daniel Falabella (CPO), Gina Gotthilf (CMO), and Jorge Mazal (CEO), former senior executives at Duolingo.

Outsmart recently announced a $13 million seed funding round led by Khosla Ventures, with support from Karman Ventures, Latitud Ventures, Lightspeed Ventures, as well as angel investors like Lenny Rachinsky (ex-product lead at Airbnb) and 20Growth.

Mazal’s personal frustration with the current education system inspired the idea for Outsmart. Moving to the U.S. for his undergraduate degree, he struggled to finance his education, accumulating significant debt through jobs and scholarships.

Because Outsmart is currently in stealth mode, its plans remain undisclosed. However, the company’s backers, including Ethan Choi from Khosla Ventures, emphasize the importance of accessible higher education.

Outsmart’s mission is to provide unprecedented access to higher education and change the world for the better. Amid rising college costs and student debts, Outsmart aims to revolutionize the education sphere through innovation and affordability.

The co-founders’ extensive experience in companies like Dropbox, Tumblr, and MyFitnessPal positions them well to disrupt higher education in terms of accessibility, affordability, and personalization.

Mazal believes Outsmart will surpass current education options on every level and provide a superior experience for students seeking a brighter future.