Heeyo

Heeyo.ai, founded in 2024 by Xiaoyin Qu, is a Palo Alto-based company operating in the educational technology market. The firm provides an AI-powered platform designed for children aged three to eleven, offering an interactive and safe digital learning environment. Qu, a serial entrepreneur who previously founded and successfully exited the virtual events company Run the World, was inspired to create Heeyo by her own childhood experiences. Growing up, she lacked the specialized support to explore her interest in aerodynamics, which fueled her vision to provide every child with a dedicated AI coach and playmate. Her background includes time as a Product Manager at Facebook and Instagram after studying computer science, and she also attended the Stanford MBA program before dropping out to pursue her first venture.

The company's core product is an application, available on iOS and Android, that functions as an AI chatbot and interactive tutor. It features over 2,000 games and activities, including reading, trivia, and role-playing adventures, designed to be both educational and entertaining. Heeyo's platform blends multiple AI models, using OpenAI for conversational interactions and story generation, ElevenLabs and Microsoft Azure for text-to-audio functionalities, and Stable Diffusion for image creation. A significant feature is the ability for parents, educators, and even children to design their own AI companions and create custom learning games tailored to their specific interests and family values, supporting over 20 languages.

Heeyo prioritizes safety and is compliant with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The platform does not store personal data like voices or demographics and is designed to be ad-free. The content is developed by a team that includes children's book authors, former creatives from Nickelodeon and Sesame Workshop, and child psychologists to ensure it is age-appropriate and beneficial. The business model is centered on a freemium structure; while some experiences are free, revenue is generated through the sale of tokens that users can purchase to access games. Heeyo has secured $3.5 million in a seed funding round with participation from investors such as the OpenAI Startup Fund, Alexa Fund, and Pear VC.

Keywords: educational technology, AI for children, interactive learning, kids games, child safety, COPPA compliant, AI tutor, personalized education, gamified learning, Xiaoyin Qu, language learning for kids, digital playground, parent-approved apps, creative storytelling, AI chatbot, edtech, skill-building games, early learning, mobile learning, AI playmate