Like most parents, we didn’t have a healthy relationship with our own screens.
So when our children came along, we didn’t want to pass that relationship on to them.
But the choices felt impossible. Give them an iPad and worry about what it’s doing to their attention, their eyes, their developing brains. Or keep them away from technology entirely and watch them miss out on the tools that could genuinely help them learn.
We wanted something in between. A device that was built for children – not an adult device with parental controls bolted on. Something calm, focused, and designed around how young brains actually develop. Something we could hand to our kids without the guilt.
We couldn’t find it. So we started building it.
Who We Are
Scribbi was founded by Katarina and Keller Seamons. Before building a children’s learning device, we spent a decade in investment banking and private equity. That background taught us how to assess markets, test assumptions, and build things that last – but it was becoming parents that taught us why this product needed to exist.
We’re based in Utah and work alongside a small, dedicated team of educators, developers, and accessibility specialists who share a belief that technology for children should be held to a higher standard.
What We Believe
Children deserve technology that’s designed for their development, not against it.
That means no ads, no algorithms, no open internet, and no reward loops engineered to keep them hooked. It means a paper-like screen that’s gentle on their eyes. It means putting a stylus in their hand instead of training them to tap and swipe. And it means building every activity around the things we know matter most in early childhood: handwriting, creativity, focus, and the confidence that comes from being understood.
We didn’t set out to compete with the iPad. We set out to offer parents something the iPad was never designed to be: a device built entirely around what’s good for their child.
What We're Building
Scribbi is a dedicated, paper-like learning device for children aged 3–10. It runs on premium hardware from Onyx International (BOOX) – the same technology used by professionals and academics worldwide for its exceptional writing experience – with a curated ecosystem of activities developed specifically for young learners.
We’re building a growing library of handwriting-first activities: letter tracing, drawing, math, storytelling, geography, daily planning, and more. Every activity is hands-on, stylus-based, and designed to support the way children actually learn.
We’re also developing proprietary handwriting recognition designed for how children write – including reversed letters, inconsistent sizing, and the developmental messiness that comes with learning. It’s a hard problem to solve, and we’re committed to getting it right.
WHY IT MATTERS
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Today’s Screens Are Failing Our Kids
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Cognitive burnout and “finger blindness”
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Blue light fatigue, poor sleep, eye strain
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Overstimulation & digital distractions
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Ability to access age-inappropriate content
Tested by Families
Our first 20 families tested Scribbi with their children over several months. Parents rated the experience 9+ out of 10. Children used the device regularly and independently – without being asked. And the feedback that mattered most to us was this:
“He's great at gross motor skills – loves to climb, loves to build – but isn't the biggest fan of coloring or drawing. Scribbi has helped a ton.” – Scribbi parent
That’s what we’re building for. Not engagement metrics. Not time-on-device. Just children who are willing to pick up a stylus and try.
Guided by Experts
Scribbi is informed by specialists in handwriting, early brain development, and childhood education. Our advisory board includes researchers working at the intersection of neuroscience and fine motor skill development, as well as practitioners with deep expertise in inclusive learning and accessibility.
We believe every child deserves access to tools that meet them where they are – including children who find writing difficult, resist it, or learn differently. That commitment to accessibility isn’t an add-on. It’s built into how we think about every activity on the platform.
What's Next
We’re at the beginning. Scribbi is currently available to early access families in the United States, with new activities being added to the platform regularly. We’re expanding our partnerships with educators and experts, growing our content library, and working toward the handwriting recognition system we know will change what’s possible for children and technology.
If you believe children deserve better technology, we’d love to have you along for the journey.