56. Azoomee

Founders: Douglas and Estelle Lloyd
Launched: March 2016
Website: www.azoomee.com

With more and more children accessing the internet at an increasingly younger age, parents are becoming all too aware of the many dangers and extra costs associated with leaving the kids to their own devices – literally.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Douglas and Estelle Lloyd, Azoomee is an entertainment app designed for children to watch TV shows, play games and listen to audiobooks with internet safety being a key priority.

An idea which came to them after the duo’s children stumbled across inappropriate images when browsing the internet, the app is ad-free and operates a freemium model which offers limited content for free or the entire package for £4.99 a month or £39.99 a year. The business also donates a portion of every subscription to the NSPCC.

Battling against major brands like Netflix, Sky and the BBC, Azoomee believes its emphasis on more than just video is what separates it from stiff competition. With tutorials, audiobooks, an art studio and a parent-approved messaging service, much of the content on the app actively encourages kids to get ‘off the screen’ and learn art, science, natural history, spelling and magic.

Having raised £3.5m since launching last year, including a 77% overfunded crowdfunding campaign, Azoomee appears as popular with investors as it is with kids – and has already secured a significant commercial contract.

In March 2016, the start-up partnered with O2 to become the sole entertainment provider on the telecommunication firm’s new children’s tablet; the Alcatel Pixi 8.

Adding 1,000 new customers every week and recently nominated for a BAFTA for its internet safety series Search It Up Azoomee is well worthy of a place in the Startups 100 2017.