Hello Computer, Inc. Wins First Place in the Coachella Valley Fast Pitch
April 2024
Palm Springs, California – The Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP), Desert Business Association (DBA), and Riverside County Office of Economic Development have joined forces again this April to celebrate Riverside County Innovation Month. As part of the monthlong celebration of innovation, local entrepreneurs and the public were invited to participate in the region’s signature Innovation Month event, Coachella Valley Fast Pitch, hosted by CVEP, DBA, and the City of Cathedral City.
Coachella Valley Fast Pitch was held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Cathedral City Council Chambers on Friday, April 12, 2024.
Entrepreneurs and innovators from all across the Coachella Valley applied to pitch their ideas to a panel of three expert judges, plus a fourth judge: the audience. Four entrepreneurs were ultimately selected to participate. This year’s Coachella Valley Fast Pitch also included a Student Pitch Showcase, featuring presentations from College of the Desert business and entrepreneurship students.
“This competition is designed to highlight the amazing innovators in our region,” said Laura James, CVEP’s Interim CEO. “Highlighting our region’s innovators – alongside bright young students pursuing entrepreneurial ventures – as part of a highly visible, county-wide competition helps us break the stereotype of the Valley as just a golf and retirement destination. And by changing the narrative, we make the region more attractive to investors.”
Earning first place in the startup pitch competition was Rossana Jeran, CEO of Hello Computer, Inc., a social purpose technology company with a signature AI-driven content engine that can power apps for education, literacy, therapeutic, and entertainment purposes.
“What a thrill and honor to win 1st Place in the Coachella Valley Fast Pitch! Fueled by my passion for technology and social impact, the idea of advancing to the county competition propels me forward with determination and purpose,” said Jeran after winning the top prize package, valued at $1,000.
As the first-place winner, Jeran will move forward to represent the Coachella Valley startup ecosystem at the Riverside County Fast Pitch Finale, to be held in Riverside on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
Capturing second place in the startup pitch competition and receiving a $200 cash prize, was Kyle Aquino, CEO of NVIS.AI. A cybersecurity company, NVIS.AI provides remote workers with ultra-secure access to company networks from anywhere.
Winning the Audience Favorite Award was Prema Walker, founder of Prema’s Permaculture and Composting, a company that seeks to divert food waste from landfills and encourage sustainable agriculture practices.
This year’s judges were Jeffrey Bernstein, Mayor of Palm Springs; Todd Hooks, Director of Economic Development, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians; and Jake Wuest, Market President, FirstBank.
Sponsors of this year’s Coachella Valley Fast Pitch event were BCreative LLC, Brumer Law Group, Hunter|Johnsen, Roadrunner Print and Ship, and Desert Hand Car Wash Cathedral City. Promotional partners included Riverside County Office of Economic Development and Desert Business Association.
Hello Computer, Inc. Takes a Bold Leap into the Generative AI Market with StoryTime AI, Following Completion of Techstars’ Founder Catalyst Program
February 2024
Hello Computer, Inc., a pioneering tech startup based in the Coachella Valley, is proud to announce its significant pivot into the generative AI market after successfully completing the sixth annual Founder Catalyst Program through Techstars and J.P. Morgan Chase.
Leveraging its innovative spirit and the invaluable guidance received during the Techstars program, Hello Computer, Inc. has unveiled StoryTime AI, a revolutionary platform poised to redefine the landscape of content creation, delivery and digital storytelling. After successfully launching their award-winning mobile app, StoryTime International and driven by a commitment to harness cutting-edge technology for creative expression, Hello Computer, Inc. recognized the immense potential of generative AI in revolutionizing content creation processes.
With StoryTime AI, the company aims to empower content creators and businesses, not replace them, with a dynamic tool that utilizes large language models and neural networks to generate compelling narratives, enriching multimedia content, and engaging storytelling experiences.
“Our journey through the Founder Catalyst Program has been transformative, challenging us to push the boundaries of innovation and reimagine our approach to technology,” says Rossana Jeran, the Founder and CEO of Hello Computer, Inc. “With StoryTime AI, we are excited to embark on a new chapter, empowering creators and organizations to unlock their ideas and storytelling potential through the power of generative AI.”
StoryTime AI represents the culmination of Hello Computer, Inc.’s extensive research and development efforts, combining state-of-the-art natural language processing techniques with intuitive user interfaces to streamline the content creation process. By harnessing the capabilities of generative AI, the platform enables users to effortlessly generate diverse content, including stories and characters, administrative programs for health, education or training a workforce, and can all be tailored to the client’s specific needs and preferences.
“We believe that storytelling is a powerful tool for communication and connection, and our mission is to democratize access to impactful IDEA tools,” added Founder/Developer, Christopher Taylor. “With StoryTime AI, we are empowering creators of all backgrounds to unleash their creativity and imaginative.
Hello Computer, Inc.’s pivot into the generative AI market with StoryTime AI reflects its ongoing commitment to innovation and its dedication to driving positive change through technology. As the company continues to expand its presence in the digital storytelling space, it remains focused on delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower individuals and organizations to amplify their voices and share their stories with the world.
Hello Computer, Inc. Selected as a Finalist for a
Go Global Award from the International Trade Council November 2023
We are thrilled to announce that Hello Computer, Inc., has been selected as a finalist for a prestigious Go Global Award this year, an event hosted by Rhode Island Commerce and International Trade Council in Washington D.C.. The event will take place from November 6 to 8, 2023, and our CEO Rossana Jeran will be in attendance. “It’s an incredible honor, and we’re ready to represent our company on the world stage! “Let’s go global!”
Hello Computer, Inc. Announces Exciting New Strategic Partnership with the World Literacy Foundation for the Sun Books Initiative in Africa, Afghanistan,
Guyana and Colombia – October 2023
Hello Computer, Inc., an innovative technology startup, is thrilled to announce a new, transformative partnership with the World Literacy Foundation, aimed at expanding access to education and promoting literacy in underserved communities across the world. The partnership will support the World Literacy Foundation’s Sun Books initiative, which focuses on delivering educational mobile apps on solar-powered tablets to remote regions, empowering children and communities with reading and technology.
Hello Computer, Inc. and the World Literacy Foundation share a common vision of harnessing technology to bridge the educational divide and improve the lives of people in marginalized areas. “We are thrilled and honored to be distributing our award-winning mobile app, StoryTime International, to the Sun Books program in Africa, Afghanistan, Guyana and Colombia to help children with reading and inspire a love of language,” says Rossana Jeran, the company’s Co-Founder and CEO.
StoryTime International was created by Co-Founder and Developer, Christopher Taylor. It offers endless and dynamic story content in English, translated into 137 languages, that can be read aloud from any tablet or smartphone. This dynamic and quirky story engine never tells the same story twice and is perfect for home or classroom use creating endless “edutainment” experiences for early readers, helping them explore language, vocabulary, and writing with never-ending stories, games, puzzles and other fun, educational activities.
The Sun Books initiative is a groundbreaking project that relies on solar-powered devices to bring educational content to regions with limited access to electricity and internet. This collaboration perfectly aligns with the mission of both organizations; to leverage technology for positive social impact because StoryTime International does not need access to the internet once installed on a device. By offering literacy tools in these regions, they hope to contribute to the development and prosperity of communities that have long been underserved.
The partnership also represents a significant step toward closing the education gap to promote literacy in regions where access to quality education has been limited. It is a testament to the power of collaboration, partnership and innovation in making a positive difference in the world.
Hello Computer, Inc. is a portfolio company of the Palm Desert iHub, managed by the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership. The Palm Desert iHub is a business incubator for high-impact technology companies. Joe Wallace, CEO of CVEP, noted, “Palm Desert has developed a reputation as a city with a strong focus on enhancing educational opportunity. To see a partnership like this come out of the Palm Desert iHub is not only a point of pride, but a natural fit.”
Jeran states, “It takes a village! We are on the lookout for educational companies, organizations and corporations to join us, even right here in the Coachella Valley, on this global mission. Together we can revolutionize the planet by leveling the playing field of education to ensure that all people have access to educational resources to live out their highest potential.”
CEO Rossana Jeran and Hello Computer, Inc. Featured in ‘Vision’ from Palm Springs Life Magazine – October 2023
Rossana Jeran, CEO and co-founder of tech start-up Hello Computer Inc. wants to transform Greater Palm Springs into “Silicon Desert.” Read the whole article here…
Hello Computer, Inc. Selected for Sixth Annual Founder Catalyst Program through Techstars – October 2023
Hello Computer, Inc. is proud to announce its selection as part of the sixth annual Founder Catalyst Program through Techstars, the world’s foremost pre-seed investor. In partnership with J.P. Morgan, a global leader in financial services, the 10 week, super competitive program only chose 29 Founders out of 600 applicants.
“This remarkable opportunity is a monumental stride in Hello Computer, Inc.’s relentless commitment to fostering early literacy through cutting-edge technology.” says Rossana Jeran, the company’s Co-Founder and CEO. “This will allow us to take Hello Computer, Inc. to the next level as a company to make social impact for people and children globally.”
The Public Record Podcast
CEO Rossana Jeran talks about StoryTime International
August 2023
Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts
Rossana Jeran speaks to Host Ken Alan and Laura James, V.P. of Innovation at CVEP (Coachella Valley Economic Partnership) about technology and her mission to make the Greater Palm Springs area Silicon Desert fueling innovation, digital tools and literacy for all.
StoryTime International at the World Literacy Summit at Oxford University, April 2023
Our CEO Rossana Jeran spoke and introduced StoryTime International as a tool for global literacy at the World Literacy Summit at Oxford University in April 2023.
StoryTime International translates its unique stories into 137 languages and reads aloud to kids using state of the art, AI neural speech synthesis technology. Translating between English and a child’s native language, makes StoryTime International the perfect
ESL (English as a second language) tool and companion. Now, every child has the opportunity to read and HEAR stories in their native languages or explore a whole other language!
Hello Computer, Inc on the KESQ News as part of Innovation Month! April 2023
Social purpose company, Hello Computer, Inc. starts 2023 with one of their biggest milestones to date!
Hello Computer, Inc. joins the CVEP Palm Desert, CA. iHub – December 2022
With entrepreneurs, seasoned professionals, and students under the same roof, the Palm Desert iHub is a space designed for collaboration and seizing opportunity. The establishment of the iHub is a huge stride toward the goal of creating a more diverse and durable economy with opportunities for all.
The Palm Desert iHub is a collaboration between the city of Palm Desert, the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership and Cal State San Bernardino. Cal State San Bernardino established a cybersecurity program at its Palm Desert Campus as part of a $749,000 National Science Foundation grant to increase the level of diversity among students enrolled in cybersecurity programs. The City of Palm Desert contributed $1.4 million to the Palm Desert iHub facility, and CVEP manages the property and the iHub business incubator program.
Through this unique partnership, the Palm Desert iHub offers three distinct programs in one facility, all to improve the regional economy: education, co-working space, and business incubation.