By George Nott – CIO
A digital learning platform aimed at children with autism and their carers has secured $3 million in funding from an angel investor.
Rockmelon was launched last year at The Studio in Sydney Startup Hub and provides curated interactive learning modules for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), developed with the help of clinicians, parents and experts in the field.
The skills cover a number of areas – independent living, behavioural, school readiness and speech and language – aimed at ensuring “all children are able to reach their fullest potential, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status” the start-up says.
The funding boost was announced last week, and will be put towards expanding the platform to new international markets.
The company – which has grown from one member of staff to 17 in the last year – was founded by Alex Andre de la Porte, after his son Beau was diagnosed with autism.
“My son is seven and when he was diagnosed with autism there was a lack of digital tools available to help him. I wanted to improve the situation,” Andre de la Porte said. “Early intervention can be very expensive so we looked at how we could build a product that could democratise the cost and give more people access to treatment.”