Member Article

Entrepreneurial Gosforth mum looks to take startup to the next level

Business momentum is afoot for Gosforth entrepreneur Ami Davies, who came up with the idea of an app to alert parents when their child wanders off.

Owner of child safety business BrandAmi, a startup aiming to keep to keep children safe through Bluetooth technology, Ami has found a virtual home in Gateshead.

Her product, My Little Explorer, won the People’s Choice at the If We Can You Can awards, held in Gateshead as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week. As a result Ami has won a year’s free virtual office space at Gateshead International Business Centre.

Ami’s device comes with a story-book that teaches the child that separation can occur and understand that they should stop when their wristband vibrates. The device doesn’t need Wi-Fi or a cellular signal and can be used anywhere in the world. Up to eight wrist-bands can be attached to each app, allowing the product to be used by nurseries and child minders as well as parents and relatives.

The My Little Explorer works via an app and uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to link to a wristband worn by the child. When the child wanders out of a range, pre-set by the parent or carer in the app, their wrist band vibrates and the parent gets an alarm on their mobile phone.

Ami, aged 34, said: “I got the idea for a wander alert device when I was out with my daughter Jaymie and I noticed she was missing. It was only for a minute but I completely panicked as most parents would.”

Caroline Preston of Gateshead Council said: “We are very pleased that Ami’s company has joined the range of innovative young businesses at the cutting edge of technology which are starting out at GIBC.”

Ami continued: “I’ve done a great deal of research with parents over the last two years and there is definitely a need for a device that can help stop a child from wandering off.”

Ami and her team are currently trying to raise more investment to enable them perfect and manufacture the prototype wrist band and take it to market.

She added: “I’m thrilled to win the virtual office space in such an innovative, attractive business centre, and I’m sure it will help us to bring our product to market over the next year.”

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