Vodafone backs digital school report programme

Amie and Paul Sibson (Newshub.)
Amie and Paul Sibson (Newshub.)

A Christchurch couple's start-up education program, which creates digital interactive school reports, is one of 10 chosen by Vodafone to be part of its business acceleration programme Xone.

Linc-ed is an interactive app developed to help school's report back to parents on their child's progress throughout the term.

The former teachers say it bridges the gap between schools and parents and with Vodafone's help they want to take it global.

From humble beginnings on laptops at their kitchen bench, Paul and Amie Sibson have big dreams for the web programme they've designed.

"It's a platform that allows schools to share learning with their families in a really easy way, that keeps it as real time reporting as opposed to the old traditional way of reporting," Mr Sibson says.

Teachers can upload a student's classroom progress to the app and parents can then access it at home.

Forty schools are currently using the technology nationwide including West Rolleston primary.

Vodafone has just selected it to be one of ten start up's nationwide from 177 applicants to be a part of the Xone programme.

To be selected the Sibson's had to pitch their idea to Vodafone executives.

Vodafone consumer director Matt Williams believes Linc-ed has a big future in schools.

"We think there's a lot more potential in it we want to help them with that through helping them build the technology and also helping build the reach of the business both in New Zealand and around the world."

Being part of Xone means the Sibson's will move out of their kitchen and into Vodafone's $50 million hub, which is still under construction in central Christchurch, and have access to business mentors and funding.

Ms Sibson says it's a dream come true.

"It's an absolutely life changing experience for us we are a small start-up and Vodafone getting behind us is huge."

The Sibson's plan to take Linc-Ed to the world - and give all parents a window into their children's progress in the classroom.

Newshub.