PlaySay language learning tool raises $1.3m, demos at TechCrunch Disrupt

PlaySay, the Temple University-born startup that hopes to make learning a new language more fun and social, demoed its now venture capital-backed company at TechCrunch Disrupt this evening.
Originally a mobile device-based language flashcard platform, the company has created a Facebook application that allows users to learn language by associating photos, like one of a man that resembles what you’d assume to be a grandfather. The application congratulates a user by playing the recorded pronunciation of the correct word: “el viejo,” in Spanish, meaning “old man.” The app is slick.
Founder Ryan Meinzer called to tell Tecnically Philly after the demo tonight that the company raised a $1.3 million Series A round of funding in February led by Novak Biddle Venture Partners and has relocated from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Meinzer says that the company has already pulled $550,000 to hire six employees, including poached talent from competitor Rosetta Stone and Voxy.
“We’re cranking away, enhancing cultural awareness and international fellowship through language,” Meinzer says.
Startups at Techcrunch Disrupt (held from September 12-14) are chosen to demo to a influential group of journalists, venture capitalists and other members of the startup community based on the company’s likelihood of “disrupting” its industry. Winners of the event’s “Disrupt Cup” receive a $50,000 prize and lots of press.
We first covered the company in July 2009, which was later incubated at GoodCompany Ventures.
If you remember, SeatGeek and WizHive also presented at TechCrunch Disrupt, and were later named to the elite “TechCrunch 50.” 
You can watch TechCrunch Disrupt live, here.
Technically Philly staff reporter Sean Blanda contributed to this report.