Hey Tichi.An embodied AI language-learning companion.

Tichi gives international students a safe, daily way to practise real conversations, so confidence shows up in the job interview, the classroom and the coffee break, not just the exam.

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Top 10 startup in the Netherlands at WeStart TOP100. Working prototypes, built in Rotterdam.

Pocket Tichi, prototype

The problem

Language learning is no longer the problem. Real-life communication confidence is.

Can't make friends

  • Loneliness and isolation
  • Lower academic performance
  • Higher dropout rate

Can't find a job

  • Harder to get hired
  • Delayed career growth
  • Missed opportunities

Can't integrate

  • Slower cultural adaptation
  • Feeling like an outsider
  • Limited social support

More than 131,000 international students are enrolled in Dutch higher education (Nuffic, 2024/25).

Why current tools fall short

Many tools teach a language. The practice still stops.

  • Language appsStructured exercises, with little real-world interaction.
  • AI chatbotsPowerful but generic, with no structured learning journey.
  • Language schoolsEffective but time-limited. Practice stops outside the classroom.
  • Private tutorsPersonal but expensive, and not continuously available.

The missing layer is continuous, personalized practice in the learner's real life. That's where Tichi comes in.

Desktop Tichi, a small robot companion with a round screen face, a green jacket and a cream shell, greeting you with the message Let's learn together!

Meet Tichi

One companion. Continuous learning across everyday life.

  • Embodied AI

    A physical companion for continuous interaction, not just another app.

  • Personalized learning

    Adapts conversations and exercises to each learner's level.

  • Memory

    Remembers recurring mistakes and brings them back into future practice.

  • Real-world learning

    Interviews, daily situations, conversations and movies.

Two forms, one Tichi

A white 3D-printed Desktop Tichi standing beside the round Pocket Tichi disc on a royal blue background
Desktop Tichi and Pocket Tichi, the working prototypes
Pocket Tichi, a round black disc with a blue ring and two eyes on its screen
Pocket Tichi fits in a hand or on a lanyard

Learning through real conversations

Six ways to practise. One more confident you.

  • Level assessment

    “Let's chat for five minutes. I'll find your level and we start from there.”

  • Job interview practice

    “I'm your interviewer today. Tell me about a project you're proud of.”

  • Daily practice

    “Ten minutes before class? Let's warm up with yesterday's phrases.”

  • Mistake memory

    “You said 'I am agree' again last week. Let's fix it for good.”

  • Daily situations and role play

    “You're at the GP's reception. Explain why you're here.”

  • Learn with movies

    “Pause here. What did she mean by 'I'm over it'?”

How it works

A real conversation, in real time.

Tichi combines a physical companion, real-time communication and an AI agent to hold a natural, live conversation.

  1. You speak
  2. Tichi listens
  3. Real-time link
  4. Speech to text
  5. The AI agent thinks
  6. Text to speech
  7. Tichi responds

What Tichi adapts to

  • Your level
  • Conversation history
  • Recurring mistakes
  • Context
  • A personal response

Under the hood: WebRTC and WebSocket for the live link, speech-to-text and text-to-speech, and an AI agent with pedagogy built in.

Progress

Built beyond the idea stage.

Functional Desktop and Pocket prototypes, hardware integrated, connected to our server, and the first meaningful AI conversations completed.

Four stages of the Tichi prototype: a printed body shell, form iteration, hardware fitting and an active face display.

  1. Printed body shell

    The first Tichi body, printed and held in hand.

  2. Form iteration

    We reshaped it until it felt friendly on a desk.

  3. Hardware fitting

    Screen, speaker and electronics now fit inside.

  4. Active face display

    The face comes alive and Tichi talks back.

Working today

  • Desktop Tichi
  • Pocket Tichi
  • Level assessment
  • Real-time AI conversation
  • Job interview practice
  • Daily practice
  • Mistake memory
  • Daily situations and role play
  • Learning with movies

Next, Q4 2026 into 2027

  • Beta validation
  • University pilots
  • Institutional customers
  • Hardware optimization
  • Production readiness
  • European expansion preparation

Team

The people building Tichi.

Language education, AI systems, growth and hardware engineering, working together in Rotterdam.

  • Portrait of Saman, CEO of SK Prime.

    Saman

    CEO

    AI entrepreneur and language education specialist, with 14+ years in language education and AI-driven learning.

  • Portrait of Kamran, CTO of SK Prime.

    Kamran

    CTO

    Software architecture and AI systems.

  • Portrait of Safoora, Marketing and Sales Manager at SK Prime.

    Safoora

    Marketing & Sales Manager

    MBA in digital transformation, with 7+ years in branding, growth and content.

  • Portrait of Saman, Robotics and Electronics Engineer at SK Prime.

    Saman

    Robotics & Electronics Engineer

    Hardware development and embedded systems.

Recognition and support

Saman, CEO of SK Prime, presenting Tichi to an audience while holding the Pocket Tichi prototype on a lanyard
Saman presenting the Pocket Tichi prototype.

Top 10 startup in the Netherlands.

Tichi was selected among the Top 10 startups in the Netherlands and presented at the WeStart TOP100 competition before Chinese and Dutch investors and judges.

Read the announcement on LinkedIn
ROM West-Brabant
Official collaboration and access to funding guidance.
WBSO
Accepted into the Dutch R&D subsidy program.
Mentor
Jeroen JT Bosman, owner-founder of Concept Innovators, 26+ years in international hospitality.
Company
SK Prime Technologies B.V., registered in the Netherlands. The logo is a registered trademark.
Community
134K+ followers on Instagram at @heytichi.

Get in touch

Start a conversation with Tichi.

Join early access, discuss a pilot for your university or language school, or request the investor deck. One short form, and we reply personally.

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