Page 45 - HaMizrachi #14 2019 Chayei Sarah USA

START-UP NATION

Eve Harow
Speak-Up Nation

Israeli innovation is changing the world of

language assessment

STAGE
Universities and companies in Israel, Iceland, Nigeria, India and
Brazil are already using the SPEAK solution. In Israel, SPEAK is
proud to list among its customers EY, Bank Leumi, Adam Milo
Institute, SmarTrike, Joint Israel (JDC), Grodinski law firm and
CO-FOUNDER AND CEO more. Raising round A this coming December 2019.
Eitan Noiman
Former IDF Commander in an elite combat unit ABOUT THE COMPANY
and CEO of the pre-army academy with experience The SPEAK Assessment is a computerized automated test that
managing startups. analyzes natural spoken English and provides an accurate profile
of a student or job candidate’s language skills. SPEAK combines
PARTNER AND CO-FOUNDER cutting edge technology and advanced linguistics research to
Chanan Kupietzky develop a 10-minute, affordable exam using a smartphone or
MSc from UCL, former IDF commander in an elite personal computer.
combat unit, entrepreneur, extensive experience in
global market expansion, and business development. WHAT NEED IS SPEAK COMING TO FILL
Traditional English assessments are costly, time-consuming, and
DIRECTOR OF ASSESSMENT often don’t accurately reflect the ability to speak the language.
Elisabeth Levi These tests rely on either face-to-face examiners, or on a very
Ph.D. from U. of Pennsylvania, linguistics expert restricted set of oral responses through tasks such as repetition
with extensive experience in education and and reading aloud. They are difficult to access and expensive.
educational technology both in Israel and the U.S.
WHAT DOES SPEAK DO TO FILL THIS NEED
CATEGORY SPEAK uses the most advanced forms of Natural Language
Assessment and Educational technology. Processing and machine learning combined with algorithms
to rate samples of a candidate’s authentic speech according to
PITCH an internationally recognized proficiency scale. SPEAK is able
The SPEAK Assessment provides a cost-effective, convenient, to provide an assessment of the speaker’s English proficiency
accurate and reliable measure of spoken English proficiency. based on speech samples on diverse topics, designed to elicit the
This solution is valuable to multinational companies, educational speaker’s highest level of language, with no special equipment.
institutions, HR and placement firms. Since its founding in 2017, Using a smartphone or other internet-connected device, a
SPEAK has been granted the ‘Israeli Chief Scientist Award for candidate can take the test and receive an accurate assessment of
Innovation’, has joined MindCet Go’s international delegation a variety of practical language skills. Because the test takes under
Startup tour, has recently been shortlisted for the ‘Education 15 minutes, costs less than $10 per unit, and can be administered
Oscars’ in learning and assessment, and will be presenting in their on-site, it is easy for recruiters and hiring managers to check
December 2019 competition in London. English proficiency as part of the interview process. This opens up
the world of skilled employment by bringing English proficiency
MARKET AIM credentialing to non-native speakers wherever they are, enabling
The English language assessment market is currently $1.6 billion a companies throughout the world to compete in the global
year, and these numbers are increasing annually. marketplace.

For financial documents and more information:
chanan@speaknow.co • Israel: +972-54 461-0195 • US: +1-347-560-5955

Have a Start-Up? To be featured in this section, please email production@mizrachi.org

| 45