What if the future of language learning isn’t an app—but a place?
In this episode, PJ Simmons sits down with Christian Rowe, Cofounder and Chief Growth Officer of Immerse, a bold edtech company using virtual reality to teach language through real human connection. What started in a Syrian refugee camp has grown into a global platform operating in 97 countries—with a mission rooted in social impact, advanced fluency, and equity of access.
But this isn’t just a story about innovation in tech. It’s about the tension between vision and execution, the discipline of building a venture-backed company without compromising your values, and what it means to scale with integrity.
Christian opens up about:
The origin story of Immerse—from grassroots mission to global scale
What “growth” really means inside a mission-led startup
How his team uses OKRs, culture frameworks, and ruthless clarity to stay aligned
Navigating the hype cycles of VR, the metaverse, and AI—without losing the plot
Why purpose and profit don’t have to compete—and how to lead with both
If you’re building something meaningful—whether you’re a founder, operator, or creative—this conversation is a masterclass in how to hold the line between conviction and complexity, and dream big without drifting.
