TTC Member Success Story: Kiddix Computing
e-Newsletter February 5, 2007
There is no doubt that one of the biggest opportunities to learn for children today comes from the exposure they have to computer technologies. For many parents, teaching their children about computers and keeping them safe in today’s cyberspace can be a daunting task.
Bringing a full featured computing environment to children while giving parents piece of mind is the mission of Kiddix Computing, a fast growing software company based in Pittsburgh. For parents and their children aged 5-10, Kiddix offers a hassle free, kid-centered computing environment that keeps both children and their computers safe and secure, without losing a focus on fun.
Unlike existing solutions, the Kiddix platform provides a complete computing experience by integrating a full featured operating system with a suite of games, learning tools and monitored web applications, all designed specifically for children. This is joined with tools that give parents useful information about their children’s computing habits, and enable them to communicate and parent their children on the computer.
The idea for the company came from founder Michael Gualtieri, who saw a market niche and developed the concept for the children’s operating system while he was a graduate student studying computer science at the University of Pittsburgh. While studying for an MBA at the Katz Graduate School of Business, he created the initial prototype, and was joined by fellow MBA student James Sinegal in the spring of 2005 to aid in management, market research and development of a business plan.
Kiddix Computing is a tremendous example of the kind of company that can benefit from The Technology Collaborative’s (TTC) various programs. For example, Kiddix used grant funding from TTC’s Pennsylvania Cyber Security Commercialization Initiative (PaCSCI) to:
- acquire the necessary equipment to complete their first prototype,
- develop a business/commercialization plan,
- benchmark the performance of their prototype,
- pay legal fees associated with the creation of a capital structure,
- explore intellectual property for their technology, and
- conduct marketing research to further their efforts to define an appropriate market entry strategy.
Moreover, in October 2006, Kiddix was accepted into TTC’s business incubation (Jump Start) program, which provides business support and services to entrepreneurs planning to establish a new company in Pennsylvania. Based on the need of the company, a TTC Jump Start Package can include facilities, infrastructure, recruiting services, and business support services. The benefits of the program include lower start up costs, shorter start up cycles, reduced operational costs, access to other financial incentives, business assistance and access to sources of capital.
“Kiddix Computing has gained tremendously from its relationship with the Technology Collaborative, which began in 2006” said Mike Gualtieri, CEO of Kiddix Computing. “In particular, we have found the PaCSCI grant was the necessary catalyst that actually took the company off the ground. The grant of course is equally met with the continued support of TTC, who recently provided us with office space through their Jump Start program. Jump Start has proved to be a critical element to our growth.
The initial product offering that Kiddix Computing will launch is the Kiddix platform, a computing environment built for children, which is expected to be rolled out to interested beta customers mid-February and the general public later in the year. This will be joined by a media delivery service that aims to bring approved content as well as new features to the child's desktop, in an electronic magazine format. The product is expected to be initially sold via Amazon.com and the Kiddix Computing website.
This product, like every aspect of Kiddix, is developed specifically with parents and their kids in mind. Built on Linux, Kiddix makes use of a wide variety of open source games, applications and tools and home built applications that are designed to make the lives of parents easy and the experience of their children safe, virus free and fun. For example, Kiddix offers educational games like Tux Typing and Tux Math, as well as powerful desktop applications that one would find on a traditional PC, but are instead customizable, fun and easy to use for children. Kiddix features include a web browser, word processor that is compatible with Microsoft Office, email, calendar, paint program and much more. Parents control and customize which applications their children can use.
Kiddix is built from the ground up with children and their parents in mind. The company provides children an environment where they can be creative and are entirely separated from any important files on the computer. Kiddix uses industrial strength security tools to keep children safe from online attackers, viruses, worms and spy ware.
“The internet is a fantastic tool for parents, but it does come with risks,” said Pat Stewart, a parent of four and a school board member in the Avonworth School District in Pittsburgh. “As a parent, I’m thrilled with the tools Kiddix offers because they allow me to monitor all aspects of my child’s computer and internet usage and set up restrictions as I see appropriate. This product is great at home or in schools, both in terms of protecting children from the dangers of the internet, but also for protecting computer data from the damage young children can impose while learning.”
“We have high expectations for growth in 2007,” said Gualtieri. “As we prepare for the next stage in our growth, we feel confident that our products will be embraced by parents and children alike. The support and resources of the TTC’s Jump Start program have been invaluable to us as entrepreneurs and have proven to be a critical piece of our successes to date.”
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