Startups

Entrada ESL was a winner of Rent the Runway’s venture competition

The D.C. startup teaching English lessons on-the-job got a shoutout from Inc.

Entrada ESL helps language learners while they work. (Courtesy photo)

D.C. startup Entrada ESL was recently featured in a New York pitch event organized by designer rental service Rent the Runway.

The startup, which makes technology that helps workers in the hospitality learn English as they work, was earlier this year named one of five winners of Rent the Runway’s Venture Competition, which includes participation in a New York accelerator program for the women-led startups.

Founder Erin Janklow was among five female founders featured in an Inc. Magazine article on the July 9. event.

From the article:

Erin Janklow wasn’t a typical college student studying abroad in Italy in 2007; she actually learned the language. The Northern Colorado native learned firsthand that taking up a second language as an adult is challenging, but it’s not impossible.

“That made me realize that with the appropriate resources it is very possible for an adult to become fluent in a foreign language,” says Janklow. Two and a half years ago, she decided to take the idea to market in the form of her Washington, D.C.-based startup, Entrada ESL. Using an earpiece and a wearable device, Entrada teaches low-income immigrants working in the service industry how to speak English while they work.

In D.C., Entrada ESL is a 1776 and Halcyon House alum. Janklow also pitched as part of this year’s Vinetta Project venture competition.

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