Brittany Teei is the founder of KidsCoin, a ground-breaking software that teaches children financial literacy at home and in schools, particularly in disadvantaged communities. When her career as a professional tennis player ended, the 27-year-old decided she wanted to help kids learn about money and build self-confidence. To do so, she created the software programme that allows them to complete ‘real-life’ lessons in accordance with the school’s curriculum. After winning the DigMyIdea Maori Innovation Challenge in 2015, she was able to launch a pilot programme and KidsCoin took off.

As she continues to refine the programme and establish partnerships, her focus is on cultivating large clients in the public and private sectors and building relationships with iwi. She has already been approached by social enterprises around the world who are interested in implementing the software. Teei believes that teaching kids how to manage their money will empower them as well as help them to avoid poverty traps later in life.

To read more about this innovative Hero and her impressive foray into the digital realm, pick up a copy of the latest Denizen magazine, available now.