Duolingo Cancels San Francisco Office Plans

Duolingo Declines a San Francisco Presence

Duolingo has firmly stated its disinterest in establishing operations in San Francisco, expressing this sentiment in multiple languages: no, non, nein, and nyet.

While the language learning application maintains its primary headquarters in Pittsburgh, a city not traditionally recognized as a major center for startups and venture funding, the decision reflects a deliberate strategy.

Maintaining Company Culture

Duolingo articulated on LinkedIn that the avoidance of a San Francisco office is integral to preserving the desired company culture.

Last year, a blog post emphasized the company’s belief that impactful work doesn't necessitate following prevailing trends or incurring exorbitant rental costs.

Pittsburgh, according to Duolingo, is not a secondary option to the Bay Area, but rather a deliberate choice.

Existing U.S. Office Locations

Beyond its Pittsburgh headquarters, Duolingo currently operates U.S. offices in several other key cities.

• Detroit
• New York City
• Seattle

The Broader Trend of Startup Locations

The discussion surrounding alternative startup hubs extends beyond Duolingo’s individual decision.

The viability of thriving startup ecosystems outside of Silicon Valley is a significant topic, and will be addressed at a TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 panel.

Pittsburgh's Distinct Identity

Duolingo highlights Pittsburgh’s conscious divergence from the Silicon Valley model.

The company asserts that Pittsburgh intentionally avoids emulation, and this is viewed as a positive attribute.

Strategic Advantages of Location

Some speculate that this stance may serve as promotion for Pittsburgh, despite its baseball team’s performance.

However, Duolingo likely benefits from reduced distractions and a different perspective by remaining outside the immediate influence of Silicon Valley’s environment.