Building Meaningful Tech for the Next Generation With Jay Shah
Apr 18, 2025
auto_awesome
Jay Shah, founder of Poppy—a revolutionary screenless, AI-native phone for kids—shares his journey from creating BufferBox, acquired by Google, to crafting meaningful tech for children. He discusses the need for intentional design to enhance kids' interactions with technology and the challenges of hardware manufacturing. Jay also reflects on lessons learned as a second-time founder and the vibrant tech community in Waterloo. The role of Y Combinator and the future of AI in transforming startups are also key highlights of their engaging conversation.
Jay Shah emphasizes the necessity of rethinking kid-first technology to foster healthier relationships with digital devices and AI for children.
The podcast reveals the complexities of hardware development, stressing the significant investment and time required for successful manufacturing processes.
The founders highlight their pivot from enterprise SaaS to consumer tech, identifying an underserved market for innovative, child-friendly tech solutions.
Deep dives
Building Screenless AI-Native Phones for Kids
A new initiative focuses on developing screenless, AI-native phones designed specifically for children. These devices aim to keep kids connected to family and friends safely, while also introducing them to AI technology in an age-appropriate manner. With a simple voice-command interface, children can send messages and ask questions, allowing for a more interactive and engaging experience. The design and functionality prioritize a child-centric approach, making technology accessible while reducing screen time.
Challenges of Hardware Development
The podcast delves into the inherent difficulties of hardware development, underscoring that creating successful hardware products is a complex and often challenging process. Past experiences in the industry highlight the long timelines and investment required to set up manufacturing capabilities, especially for products built overseas. The emphasis on quality hardware is recognized as essential for effective software delivery and ultimately leads to a better user experience, particularly in children's technology. Such obstacles serve as motivation for the founders to innovate and improve their designs for the new device.
Pivoting Towards a Child-Centric Market
The founders discuss how their venture initially started with enterprise-level products, but through two pivots, they found their focus in creating consumer technology for children. They highlighted the unique opportunity presented by an underserved market that lacks innovative, kid-friendly technology. By concentrating on engaging children with AI in a responsible manner, they believe they can foster a more meaningful childhood experience while enhancing family connections. This realignment of purpose reflects their desire to create value that resonates with both children and their parents.
The Future of Hardware and AI Integration
There is a growing belief that the future of consumer tech is heavily tied to advancements in AI, especially regarding hardware designed for children. The conversation reveals that current offerings in the marketplace lack modern user experiences that children and families want. The founders propose that their product can fill this gap by allowing kids to interact with sophisticated AI tools in a safe and monitored environment. This integration not only benefits children’s knowledge and engagement but also may define the evolution of creative devices tailored to the next generation.
Navigating Manufacturing and Supply Chain Challenges
The discussion highlights the complexities of manufacturing in today's economy, emphasizing the impact of tariffs and supply chain issues on hardware startups. The founders express their awareness of the necessity to consider local production while acknowledging the challenges posed by existing manufacturing setups overseas. They mention strategic plans to shift towards North American manufacturing to avoid these issues, reflecting the need for adaptability in the face of external market forces. This consideration for location also ties back into their commitment to delivering a product that is perceived as high-quality and aligned with regulatory standards.
In this episode, Jay Shah joins Immad and Raj to talk about his new startup, Poppy—a screenless, AI-native phone designed for kids. He shares what led him to pivot from enterprise SaaS to building hardware in his basement, why he believes kid-first tech needs a rethink, and how intentional design can create healthier relationships with technology.
Jay reflects on lessons from BufferBox, the realities of manufacturing and tariffs, and the power of network effects in consumer hardware. The conversation spans everything from AI in education to emotional resilience as a second-time founder, the state of Canadian tech, and how Y Combinator continues to shape founder journeys.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
