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The brainchild of three Aussie entrepreneurial friends who saw a problem that needed a solution

Practically everyone they were talking to (with tweens and teens) were all having an issue managing their kids’ screen & video game time.

The Founders

It all started at a BBQ

Peter, Gary & Steph saw a great opportunity to create a product to help kids and families regain balance and life healthier and happier lives. They partnered up, recruited investors and each week the idea is coming closer and closer to commercial success.

Peter Kakris

DIRECTOR, COFOUNDER & HEAD OF TECHNOLOGY - BSc (CompSci).

Peter Kakris is a seasoned entrepreneur and technical expert with a strong foundation in both business and software development. He founded his first IT company, Dynamic Solutions, at the age of 22, while completing his z Science Degree at Melbourne University. Peter’s foresight allowed him to establish two successful IT companies, which he sold in his mid-thirties, giving him the opportunity to semi-retire and focus on family, and self-improvement by doing lots of personal development courses and becoming a qualified life coach and business coach for a few years before getting hands-on “nerdy” again!

Key accomplishments include:
  • Founder of Dynamic Solutions: Built and sold two IT companies before the age of 35.
  • Visionary and inventor:  Invested in early internet tech with an early internet service provider and web hosting services in his mid-20s before the internet was known! Peter has always has lots of ideas and inventions weekly.
  • Software Development Expertise: Developed numerous custom software solutions, including clinical information systems, manufacturing systems, and business management tools.
  • Transformation of Datalink Internet Systems: As a part owner and director, Restructured the company’s focus away from custom solutions development into product focus. Datalink builds scalable enterprise SaaS software used by lover 100 local governments, government departments and large enterprises, handling critical operations such as emergency management and disaster recovery. (see crisisworks.com)
  • Chief Architect of ScreenCoach: Designed and managed every aspect of the product, bringing together his technical knowledge and modern psychology and business acumen to create a solution that suits modern families’ screen time needs.
In addition to his technical skills, Peter has extensive experience in leadership, personal development, business coaching, and customer relations. His resilience and entrepreneurial spirit were evident from a young age, selling strawberries at age 11 and overcoming the loss of all family possessions in the Ash Wednesday bushfires at age 12. Up until Peter started his first company he was a passionate athlete, at his peak running up the Rialto building (54 levels!) and playing volleyball six days a week at an elite level, this discipline and commitment needed for sport carries through into his business life.
His passion for sports, combined with his technical expertise and business leadership, make him a well-rounded and driven professional.

Stephanie Kakris

DIRECTOR, COFOUNDER, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS​ LEAD (BSc Grad, Dip in OrgPsych & Masters in AppPsych)

Stephanie has a Master’s degree in Sport Psychology. She is an author and international speaker on positive parenting. Since 2001, she has used her expertise to build her practice, High Performance Club Pty Ltd, www.highperformanceclub.com delivering high performance coaching, corporate training, executive and business coaching for over 20 years.

Whilst focusing on her own career and being a fantastic mother, she also performed trusted roles in Peter’s companies which include HR, payroll, and bookkeeping.

Stephanie’s understanding of human behaviour, coupled with parenting two tech-obsessed children of her own (15 & 20), provides valuable insight into product features. Stephanie liaises with parenting experts and research institutions to gather market data and information that informs product development and written materials designed specifically for our target market. She also brings expertise in sales and marketing fundamentals to her role.

Stephanie loves learning about anything to do with business, human potential and spirituality. She enjoys watching people shine at what they love doing most—whether that be as a parent, on stage, on the sporting field, in the workplace, or pursuing their personal passions with confidence and enthusiasm.

Peter Kakris

DIRECTOR, COFOUNDER & HEAD OF TECHNOLOGY - BSc (CompSci).

Peter Kakris is a seasoned entrepreneur and technical expert with a strong foundation in both business and software development. He founded his first IT company, Dynamic Solutions, at the age of 22, while completing his z Science Degree at Melbourne University. Peter’s foresight allowed him to establish two successful IT companies, which he sold in his mid-thirties, giving him the opportunity to semi-retire and focus on family, and self-improvement by doing lots of personal development courses and becoming a qualified life coach and business coach for a few years before getting hands-on “nerdy” again!

Key accomplishments include:
  • Founder of Dynamic Solutions: Built and sold two IT companies before the age of 35.
  • Visionary and inventor:  Invested in early internet tech with an early internet service provider and web hosting services in his mid-20s before the internet was known! Peter has always has lots of ideas and inventions weekly.
  • Software Development Expertise: Developed numerous custom software solutions, including clinical information systems, manufacturing systems, and business management tools.
  • Transformation of Datalink Internet Systems: As a part owner and director, Restructured the company’s focus away from custom solutions development into product focus. Datalink builds scalable enterprise SaaS software used by lover 100 local governments, government departments and large enterprises, handling critical operations such as emergency management and disaster recovery. (see crisisworks.com)
  • Chief Architect of ScreenCoach: Designed and managed every aspect of the product, bringing together his technical knowledge and modern psychology and business acumen to create a solution that suits modern families’ screen time needs.
In addition to his technical skills, Peter has extensive experience in leadership, personal development, business coaching, and customer relations. His resilience and entrepreneurial spirit were evident from a young age, selling strawberries at age 11 and overcoming the loss of all family possessions in the Ash Wednesday bushfires at age 12. Up until Peter started his first company he was a passionate athlete, at his peak running up the Rialto building (54 levels!) and playing volleyball six days a week at an elite level, this discipline and commitment needed for sport carries through into his business life.
His passion for sports, combined with his technical expertise and business leadership, make him a well-rounded and driven professional.

Stephanie Kakris

DIRECTOR, COFOUNDER, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS​ LEAD (BSc Grad, Dip in OrgPsych & Masters in AppPsych)

Stephanie has a Master’s degree in Sport Psychology. She is an author and international speaker on positive parenting. Since 2001, she has used her expertise to build her practice, High Performance Club Pty Ltd, www.highperformanceclub.com delivering high performance coaching, corporate training, executive and business coaching for over 20 years.

Whilst focusing on her own career and being a fantastic mother, she also performed trusted roles in Peter’s companies which include HR, payroll, and bookkeeping.

Stephanie’s understanding of human behaviour, coupled with parenting two tech-obsessed children of her own (15 & 20), provides valuable insight into product features. Stephanie liaises with parenting experts and research institutions to gather market data and information that informs product development and written materials designed specifically for our target market. She also brings expertise in sales and marketing fundamentals to her role.

Stephanie loves learning about anything to do with business, human potential and spirituality. She enjoys watching people shine at what they love doing most—whether that be as a parent, on stage, on the sporting field, in the workplace, or pursuing their personal passions with confidence and enthusiasm.

Peter & Steph

The parents of two early teens Pete & Steph both face today's challenges of managing screen time

Parents of two sensitive kids who love their screens, Stephanie has spent many years learning how to parent them in a way that honours their gifts and talents, while keeping a healthy balance of various activities and help around the home.

Pete has a strong relationship with gaming but their son is now 14 spends way more video games than Pete would like. Their 10 year old daughter also loves to relax in front of her iPad.

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Our Company History

ScreenCoach has continued to make strides in their milestones since inception

2019

AN IDEA IS HATCHED

Three friends Gary Borham, Peter & Stephanie Kakris were discussing the problem of managing their kids’ excessive screen time use at a BBQ. Realising they all shared this ongoing challenge in common despite their individual efforts, it became clear that screen time management support was a gap to be filled.
2019

2019

A COMPANY IS FOUNDED

ScreenCoach was founded by the three friends shortly after, initially self-funded with AUD $100K.
2019

2019

FIRST INVESTORS WELCOMED

By year’s end, ScreenCoach had attracted a further AUD $200K in investment from friends, families and fans of the parenting solution
2019

2019

THE WORK BEGINS

The ScreenCoach proof-of-concept is built for the software and hardware components, qualitative and quantitative research starts (a mix of focus groups, 1:1 interviews and online surveys) and the patent process commences.
2019

2020

THE GOVERNMENT TAKES NOTICE

ScreenCoach secures AUD $330K through the Australian Government’s Accelerating Commercialisation grant which provides SMBs, entrepreneurs and researchers with funding with the aim to strengthen, grow, innovate and commercialise Australian business both nationally and globally.

2020

2020

THE PRODUCT IS DEVELOPED

The team works hard to advance the software and hardware components to create a minimum viable product (MVP). This is built based on intense market research conducted with families, psychologists, health providers and – most importantly – children and teenagers.
2020

2020

ALPHA TRIALS BEGIN

The ScreenCoach team conducts Alpha trials of the product with participating families from around Australia.
2020

2021

ANOTHER GRANT WIN

ScreenCoach secures an additional AUD $670K in government funding in Stage 2 of the Accelerating Commercialisation grant, bringing total government support of ScreenCoach to AUD $1million.
2021

2021

MEDIA TAKE NOTICE

In light of research confirming the negative effects of screen time on children’s health, the ScreenCoach solution takes the interest of media outlets A Current Affair, 7news, The Courier Mail, ausbiz TV, Ticker News and the Austereo radio network.
2021

2021

BETA TRIALS COMMENCE

In August ScreenCoach is launching Beta trials of the product. We already have 2,500 people who have registered interest in participating.
2021

2021

EXCITED STAKEHOLDERS AWAIT LAUNCH

We already have 633 customers sign up to get early access to ScreenCoach Additionally, the government has committed to purchase 100 subscriptions of ScreenCoach for less privileged families
2021

2022

SCREENCOACH TO LAUNCH

ScreenCoach expected to become available on Australian app stores by the end of 2022, with an expected overseas launch in 2023.

2022

What Parents are Saying

Our Alpha Trials were a huge success, with many families experiencing an immediate improvement in relationships whilst getting the right balance between screens and other activities. Here’s a snippet of what our Alpha Trial families had to say.

I don’t recognise my daughter, she is making her own breakfast and lunch, riding to school, having a shower without been asked – it is amazing how quickly she has changed

SO Victoria

I love that MyScreenCoach allows me to get my kids to take control. They want screentime, I want a clean room. It’s win win. It is costing me a lot in pocket money, but that’s a great problem to have.

MF SE Queensland

Already seen a MASSIVE improvement in attitudes…The kids love the game aspect and my son did the dishes without being asked!! Who are these kids?! This app is gonna change lives!

AD Gold Coast

I don’t recognise my daughter, she is making her own breakfast and lunch, riding to school, having a shower without been asked – it is amazing how quickly she has changed

SO Victoria

I love that MyScreenCoach allows me to get my kids to take control. They want screentime, I want a clean room. It’s win win. It is costing me a lot in pocket money, but that’s a great problem to have.

MF SE Queensland

Already seen a MASSIVE improvement in attitudes…The kids love the game aspect and my son did the dishes without being asked!! Who are these kids?! This app is gonna change lives!

AD Gold Coast

I don’t recognise my daughter, she is making her own breakfast and lunch, riding to school, having a shower without been asked – it is amazing how quickly she has changed

SO Victoria

I love that MyScreenCoach allows me to get my kids to take control. They want screentime, I want a clean room. It’s win win. It is costing me a lot in pocket money, but that’s a great problem to have.

MF SE Queensland

Already seen a MASSIVE improvement in attitudes…The kids love the game aspect and my son did the dishes without being asked!! Who are these kids?! This app is gonna change lives!

AD Gold Coast

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PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
This project is supported by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources through the Accelerating Commercialisation Program
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
This project is supported by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources through the Accelerating Commercialisation Program
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