Who Owns Rosetta Stone?

Rosetta Stone's origins trace back to the 1980s when founder Allen Stoltzfus learned German through immersion while living in West Germany. When he began learning Russian in a classroom setting, he found it much more difficult and wanted to simulate the German immersion experience using computer technology.

Stoltzfus enlisted the help of his brother-in-law, John Fairfield, who held a PhD in computer science, along with his brother Eugene Stoltzfus. By 1992, CD-ROM technology made their vision possible, and they formed Fairfield Language Technologies in Harrisonburg, Virginia. They released their software product under the name The Rosetta Stone, named after the ancient artifact that enabled the deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphics.

The company grew steadily through the 1990s and early 2000s, establishing itself as a leader in computer-based language learning. The company's CD-ROM products were used by individuals, schools, businesses, and government agencies including the United States military and diplomatic services.

In 2003, the company hired Tom Adams as president and CEO, bringing international business experience to drive expansion. Adams led the company's growth into international markets and expanded its product offerings.

In 2006, the company changed its name to Rosetta Stone, Ltd. and converted from an S corporation to a C corporation. Ownership transferred to investment firms ABS Capital Partners and Norwest Equity Partners.

Rosetta Stone filed for an initial public offering in September 2008 and went public on the New York Stock Exchange on April 15, 2009, raising $112 million. The stock traded under ticker symbol RST and had a strong first day, gaining 39% from its opening price.

The 2010s saw significant expansion through acquisitions. In 2013, Rosetta Stone acquired four companies: Vivity Labs Inc (creators of Fit Brains Trainer), Livemocha, Tell Me More, and Lexia Learning. The company also launched its Kids Division in 2013 and debuted its first kids reading program in 2014. These acquisitions were part of a strategy to expand beyond language learning into broader education technology, though several of these ventures were later divested or discontinued.

John Hass became president and CEO in 2016, leading the company's transition from CD-ROM packages to cloud-based subscription models. This transition was essential as consumer software moved from physical media to digital delivery.

In August 2020, Cambium Learning Group announced it would acquire Rosetta Stone for $792 million. Cambium's ownership was brief. In March 2021, IXL Learning acquired Rosetta Stone from Cambium, bringing the company under its current ownership structure. The acquisition integrated Rosetta Stone into IXL Learning's portfolio of educational products.

Under IXL Learning's ownership, Rosetta Stone has continued to develop its language learning platform. The company has invested in speech recognition technology, mobile app improvements, and AI-powered features. In 2026, Rosetta Stone launched Sapphire, an AI-powered language learning assistant that provides personalized feedback and conversational practice.