Facts
- HQ
- Seattle
- Sectors
- Software Development
- Founded
- 2021
- Type
- Corporation Seattle business license
- Employees
- 134
- Registered name
- Yoodli Inc Seattle business license
- Stage
- Startup
- Total raised
- $55.5M SEC Form D filings Total of this company's SEC Form D filings
- Last round
- $34M · Nov 2025 SEC Form D
- Founders
- Varun Puri, Esha J.
Niantic Spatial names Microsoft AI exec Dave Citron CPO; Allen fund appoints Jane Dietze CIO starting Jan. 4, 2027
Niantic Spatial hired Microsoft AI product leader Dave Citron as chief product officer, the Paul Allen–funded Fund for Science and Technology named Brown's Jane Dietze its first chief investment officer starting Jan. 4, 2027, and Zillow AI product lead Nicholas Stevens joined Stripe, with additional moves at several companies and organizations.
Microsoft names Silvia Candiani corporate VP at $2.5B Frontier Company; Kevin Frey joins Microsoft Elevate as VP and chief impact officer; AWS promotes Alexis Bateman
Multiple tech companies announced senior hires and promotions: Silvia Candiani named corporate VP for Worldwide Telco & Media at Microsoft Frontier Company; Kevin Frey appointed VP and chief impact officer of Microsoft Elevate; Anne Linge promoted to director of communications at Microsoft; Alexis Bateman promoted to director of global sustainability at AWS; Gradial named a CMO; Yoodli and Kestra each appointed a vice president.
Yoodli Expands to 60-Person Headquarters at Seattle’s Pier 70, Growing from Three Offices
Yoodli expanded from three offices to a 60-person headquarters at Seattle’s Pier 70, demonstrating the advantages of operating within a connected AI and flexible workspace ecosystem.
WTIA’s 2026 ‘Tech Universe Map’ shows Microsoft (161) and UW (143) produced most founders of 625 mapped Washington tech firms
The Washington Technology Industry Association's 2026 "Tech Universe Map" visualizes founder lineage for 625 Washington tech companies and finds Microsoft (161 companies) and the University of Washington (143) are the largest founder hubs, followed by Amazon (58) and Google (20). WTIA says the map highlights regional connectivity, is broader than the 2015 Seattle-focused version, and signals emerging hubs are often out-of-state companies with local engineering centers.
Dopl Technologies raises $6.3M to commercialize remotely operated robotic ultrasound platform while pursuing FDA clearance
Seattle-area startup Dopl Technologies raised $6.3 million to advance a remotely operated robotic ultrasound system as it pursues FDA clearance, aiming to expand access to ultrasound exams in rural and underserved communities.
Remitly hires Jeff Lyon as CISO; Joseph Williams named WWU director of Cybersecurity Programs; Yoodli promotes Kartik Murthy to VP of Product
Remitly appointed Jeff Lyon as chief information security officer following leadership departures, while Joseph Williams was named director of Cybersecurity Programs at Western Washington University and Yoodli hired Kartik Murthy as vice president of product.
WTIA launches 2026 Washington Tech Universe Map detailing 625 companies and founder lineages — first update since 2015
The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) released the 2026 Washington Tech Universe Map on July 27, 2026 — the first update since 2015 — visualizing 625 notable Washington tech companies and the founder lineages linking Microsoft, Amazon, the University of Washington, and new hubs. The wall-sized map organizes companies by founder origin to highlight how major organizations act as launchpads for successive generations of local tech founders.
Seattle-Based AI Startup Yoodli Doubles Workforce Amid $120M Fundraising by AI House Incubator
Seattle is attracting AI startups like Yoodli, which develops AI speech-coaching software and recently doubled its staff to about 100 employees. Yoodli originated from the AI2 Incubator (now AI House) on Seattle's waterfront, which has raised around $120 million since 2020 to fund emerging startups.
Allen Institute for AI, Carbon Robotics, DAT Freight & Analytics, Humanly, and Yoodli Named 2026 GeekWire Workplace of the Year Finalists
The 2026 GeekWire Awards Workplace of the Year finalists include Allen Institute for AI, Carbon Robotics, DAT Freight & Analytics, Humanly, and Yoodli, recognized for building exceptional workplace cultures based on core values like trust and openness. The award ceremony occurs on May 7 in Seattle, with public voting open through April 16.
How Yoodli is Replacing Boring Sales Training with AI Roleplays | Varun Puri, Co-Founder & CEO of Yoodli
In this episode, Varun, co-founder of Yoodli, shares insights into how his startup leverages AI to enhance communication skills, from public speaking to enterprise sales training. Tune in to understand how AI can empower humans rather than replace them, and the strategic evolution from consumer to enterprise products. Key Topics: The origin story of Yoodli and its focus on helping people find their voice Transition from B2C to B2B: What was learned along the way The role of storytelling as a meta-skill in a world dominated by AI Using AI to make communication more authentic and human How large organizations…
How to Sell AI Into the Enterprise: Pilots, Pricing, and Closing 12-Month Deals
What does it really take to sell an AI-native product into the Fortune 500? In this episode of Founded & Funded, Madrona Managing Director Matt McIlwain sits down with two founders deep in the trenches of enterprise AI adoption, Esha Joshi (Co-founder, Yoodli) and Anup Chamrajnagar (Co-founder, Gradial.) Their companies are selling into some of the world's most complex organizations, like Google, SAP, Snowflake, Databricks, and more. And they break down what founders often underestimate about enterprise AI sales. They dive into: Why most AI pilots fail and how to prevent it The "three-legged stool" of enterprise sales How AI…
Sana Biotechnology Appoints Brian Piper as CFO; Aptevo CEO Marvin White to Step Down in April; Violett Names Scott Kushino CEO
Brian Piper was appointed CFO and executive vice president at Sana Biotechnology, while Marvin White will step down as Aptevo CEO in April, succeeded by COO Jeff Lamothe. Additionally, Scott Kushino became CEO of Seattle startup Violett, and several other leadership changes occurred across Seattle and New York tech companies.
Former Microsoft CVP Jigar Thakkar Named VP of Amazon Quick Suite as Chartis and Supio Announce New Leadership
Jigar Thakkar, former Microsoft corporate vice president, has joined Amazon Quick Suite as vice president, focusing on agentic AI platform development. Additionally, Sara Vaezy returned to Chartis as chief product and technology officer, and legal-tech startup Supio named new executives following a $60 million funding round.
Seattle AI Startup Yoodli Raises $40M, Valuation Hits $300M, Shifts to Enterprise Experiential Learning
Seattle startup Yoodli, which offers AI-powered conversation coaching software, has tripled its valuation to about $300 million following a $40 million funding round announced just eight months after a $13.7 million raise. The company is shifting focus from consumer public speaking to enterprise experiential learning, partnering with firms like SAP and Google to improve employee communication skills.
Seattle AI Startup Yoodli Raises $40M Series B Led by WestBridge Capital Amid 900% Revenue Growth
Seattle AI startup Yoodli raised $40 million in a Series B round led by WestBridge Capital, after reporting 900% revenue growth and tripling its staff to over 40. The company offers AI-powered conversational practice software used by major clients like SAP and Google, and plans to expand into experiential learning.
Redefining Communication: Yoodli Founders on AI Roleplays, Confidence & Building in Seattle
In this episode of Founded & Funded, Madrona Venture Partner Patrick Ennis sits down with Varun Puri and Esha Joshi, co-founders of Yoodli, an AI-powered communications coach helping people become more confident speakers. Varun and Esha share their leap from Big Tech into startup life, eating noodles on secondhand couches while chasing a bold mission: making effective communication accessible to everyone. They dive into: The origin story behind Yoodli, (and where the name came from!) How AI roleplays bring "exposure therapy" to speaking practice. Use cases ranging from sales training to doctors having end-of-life conversations. The decision to build in…
Seattle’s AI2 Incubator Closes $80M Third Fund to Back 70 New AI Startups Over Four Years
AI2 Incubator, a Seattle-based startup incubator focused on AI and real-world applications, has closed an $80 million third fund to support about 70 new ventures over the next four years. The incubator has a successful track record with nearly 25% of its 50+ alumni acquired and 90% securing venture funding.
GeekWire 200 Q2 2025 Lists Top 10 Fast-Growing Pacific Northwest Startups in AI, Robotics, Energy, and More
The GeekWire 200 ranking highlights the fastest-growing private tech startups in the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing innovators in AI, robotics, energy, and more for Q2 2025. This quarterly list, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase, tracks regional tech development and emerging companies.
Seattle Startup Humanly Launches AI Video Interviewer to Streamline Job Candidate Screening
Seattle startup Humanly unveiled an AI-powered video interviewer that can interview candidates anytime while maintaining quality and structure, aiming to ease hiring workloads. The AI interviewers replicate real staff and help companies, especially those hiring in large volumes, conduct more equitable and scalable candidate assessments.
Yoodli Raises $13.7M to Expand AI Roleplay Software Helping Enterprises Enhance Employee Communication Skills
Yoodli, founded by CEO Varun Puri, has raised $13.7 million to grow its AI roleplay software that helps employees improve communication skills through interactive speech analysis and feedback. The startup, spun out of AI2 in 2021, is shifting focus to enterprise clients and has increased revenue fivefold in eight months.
Neotribe-led $13.7M Series A in Yoodli to Expand AI Roleplay Enterprise Platform Serving Google, Databricks and More
Neotribe Ventures led a $13.7 million Series A in Yoodli, an AI roleplay enterprise platform that helps users rehearse high-stakes conversations with real-time feedback; existing investors including Madrona, Cercano, AI2 and Neotribe (who previously invested) highlighted Yoodli’s enterprise traction with customers like Google, Databricks, RingCentral, Snowflake and BDO. The funding will expand sales, customer success, and engineering while improving personalization and realism in roleplays to address communication training gaps at scale.
Seattle AI Startup Yoodli Raises $13.7M to Enhance Sales Pitch Training with Generative AI
Seattle-based AI startup Yoodli raised $13.7 million to advance its generative AI platform that helps sales teams practice pitches by simulating conversations and providing communication feedback. Founded in 2021 by Varun Puri and Esha Joshi, Yoodli serves companies like Databricks and RingCentral and partners with Toastmasters and Korn Ferry.
Humanizing AI Communication in the Enterprise with Yoodli CEO Varun Puri
In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz Ashkenazy welcomes back Varun Puri, founder of Yoodli, for a discussion about his journey transforming a consumer-focused public speaking tool into an enterprise powerhouse. Since his last appearance, Varun has pivoted Yoodli into what he calls "the Grammarly for speech," now serving 50 companies through AI-powered communication training and role-playing scenarios. With candid reflections on the startup rollercoaster—from the challenges of enterprise sales to building a vibrant company culture—Varun shares his vision of "grounded optimism" for the future of AI. This conversation offers valuable insights for founders navigating the enterprise market…
GeekWire Awards 2024 Startup of the Year Finalists Auger, CalmWave, Clearbrief, Oleria, and Yoodli Showcase AI-Driven Innovations
The five finalists for the GeekWire Awards’ Startup of the Year—Auger, CalmWave, Clearbrief, Oleria, and Yoodli—are all leveraging AI to enhance their products and internal processes, utilizing automation and AI-driven insights across diverse sectors such as supply chain, healthcare, legal, web3, and communications. Their CEOs shared how AI empowers their companies to innovate and improve customer experiences.
Building Confidence through AI with Yoodli CEO Varun Puri
In this episode of the Shift AI podcast, host Boaz Ashkenazy interviews Varun Puri, the founder and CEO of Yoodli, who shares his journey from working at Google to starting his own AI startup Yoodli. Yoodli is an AI-powered speech coaching tool that helps individuals improve their communication skills. Puri discusses the importance of effective communication and how Yoodli can be used as a personalized coach. He also highlights the positive response of Yoodli by users and organizations and shares his thoughts on the role of AI in the future of work. Summary of topics covered: 00:00 Introduction and Background…
People
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Esha Joshi Founder, Co-founder, Executive Officer, Director, Co-Founder, President, Chief Customer Officer at Yoodli
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Varun Puri Founder, CEO and Cofounder, Executive Officer, Director
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Jacob Colker First Investor / Incubator
