From school project to Silicon Valley

As a computer science student at KTH, Joakim Rasmuson developed a musical insturment in 3D for his masters project. The idea changed direction when feedback from children showed that it wasn't the music that they found interesting, but to draw in 3D. Flying Colors was founded and the team was recently strengthened by the addition of Markus Romeis, who is in his final year of a master in industrial economy at KTH. He is going to help get the concept from project to a profitable business. Since the start, Joakim has had the support of Mario Romero, professor at KTH. 

Works as a teacher

Flying Colors is an app for creating three dimensional drawings. The ideas is that it should be easy, fun and for everyone, says Joakim. For his day job Joakim is a full time teacher at Ekebyskolan in Danderyd. He says that the children are his greatest source of inspiration and they have been an important part in the process of developing the application. 

– I have done this together with them. I often bring the app and let them test the latest version. Then I collect the feedback and see what's working and what isn't, says Joakim. 

The plan is that children will use the app in many different contexts. Right now the company is focusing on spreading the technology by collaborating with a number of technology museums and Joakim confirms that they have had a very positive response in these environments. To exhibit in a museum attracts a lot of attention and above all the children find it so much fun, he says. 

The company has a place in the KTH Innovation pre-incubator and since 2015 it has developed the product with the support of business development coach Tom Magnegård.

– I think it's wonderful to be here! For me, the best thing is having somewhere to go to work where there are other people working on similar things. It means a lot to feel that you have colleagues. I have also had very good coaching and support from Tom and we work very well together. It's a fantastic place, says Joakim. 

Travelling to the USA

At the end of August it's time for the annual entrepreneurship Brighter Startup that KTH Innovation is arranging. The program is for early innovations that have the potential for reaching a broad and global market, and is set in the hub of technology development - Silicon Valley. This year, Joakim Rasmuson and Markus Romeis are taking Flying Colors along for the ride.

Joakim and Markus tells us that the main objective of the trip is to test the market and see what is required of them next - at the same time as they want to find collaborating partners. 

– All the top companies in our field is located exactly there and that's who we are up against, says Markus Romeis.

– We are also going to try to contact 3D printer manufacturers, schools and other potential users, adds Joakim. 

After the USA trip they hope to have a clearer picture of what to focus on in the development of Flying Colors. But one thing is not negotiable, and that is that they want to continue developing the company. Joakim and Markus both agree that it is so much fun that it really doesn't matter that they have not made a penny on the project so far. 

– In the future I hope to be able to combine a teaching career with software development. The kids like to test my program and they have a huge amount of useful feedback for me, concludes Joakim. 

Do you want to test Flying Colors 3D?

The app is available for download for iPhone and iPad -   here!

Emelie Södergren
emesod@kth.se

Do you have an idea that you would like to develop with our help? Send an email to:   innovation@kth.se