Shadi Alhakimi named in MT/Sprout's Inclusive30 of 2023

Dutch business magazine MT/Sprout included Taaly founder Shadi Alhakimi in its Inclusive30 of 2023, the list of entrepreneurs making the Netherlands more inclusive. The reason: Taaly connects newcomers with Dutch speakers through video calls to learn the language.

Faster integration, less loneliness, equal opportunities

In the profile Shadi explains why he founded Taaly: faster integration, less loneliness and equal opportunities in society. Language is the key to all three.

He also outlines the size of the problem. Around 600,000 people are waiting for a language buddy, while only 15,000 people signed up as a buddy in five years. Taaly set out to close that gap with technology.

From waiting list to conversation

With the app nobody has to wait: whoever wants to practise books a video call with a taalcoach. That idea grew into the platform Taaly is today.

“Mastering the language is the key to society.”
Shadi Alhakimi in MT/Sprout (translated from Dutch)

Taaly today

Taaly has since grown into the digital integration assistant for newcomers: language, participation and work in one app, with more than 30,000 learners, 4,200 taalcoaches and partnerships with 18 municipalities.

Read the full article

Inclusive30 of 2023. MT/Sprout (20 April 2023).

Working for a municipality and curious how Taaly helps newcomers? See Taaly for municipalities