ANN ARBOR Kinderstreet, which create Internet-delivered management and communication software for afterschool, early childhood and camp programs, has gone international, landing a child care center in the Dominican Republic.
Donna Gent, Kinderstreets CEO, made the announcement in Mitechnews.Com.
Its the first school there to manage themselves via the Internet, she said Wednesday. This validates there is interest outside the United States for our products. Our view of it is child care is a universal issue. So our market now is the world.
Gent said the school in the Dominican Republic found them on the Internet. The deal was done without face to face contact. But then most of Kinderstreets customer in 14 states have signed up with the Michigan distance learning company without meeting across the table, she said. Its one of the reasons why Kinderstreet is moving into new expanded offices on the edge of Ann Arbor.
Our need for more space is being driven by the acceptance of our web-based products, Gent said. This new location gives us much-needed space for our expanding staff and the flexibility to accommodate our growth plans.
Kinderstreet had shared an office with the Adia Information Management in downtown Ann Arbor. Kinderstreet operated out of about 1,000 square feet. Its new digs on Plymouth Road will be 2,100 square feet, with an option to lease more should the need warrant. Kinderstreet started 2004 with just five people. By years end, Gent said her staff could swell to 14.
So far Kinderstreet has raised some $2 million primarily from angel investors, and one Venture Capital company, Sloan Ventures. The company is looking to raise another $1 million to fund its rapid growth.
Asked if an Initial Public Offering might be in Kinderstreets future, Gent replied: Who knows what the future holds. Our goal is to take our product worldwide. Well see where that leaves us.
