StartupCafe

Well folks, its been a while since we nabbed someone in the community for a 60 second interview. Just as a recap, we use the 60 second interview as a way to introduce members of the tech/startup community to each other. So if you would like to be featured, don’t be shy and give us a shout on email or in real life. This week, we have Jane Ballantine …

Jane Ballantine is an engineering graduate with a love of science and a passion for education. After five years teaching science and maths in secondary schools, she moved into educational publishing and started creating online learning materials. As a life-long gadget addict, it was possibly inevitable that her head would be turned by the iPhone, but it was her love of this device that caused her to move from writing content to writing code.

What’s your startup?
Creating learning products. At the moment I’m releasing revision apps for Apple mobile devices called rAPPidRevise.

Who/what inspired you to go down this road?
I’d been thinking about creating mobile-phone based revision products for five years, but it wasn’t until I got apps on my iPhone in 2008 that I decided the time was right to get into the market. I assumed the big educational publishers would get there in 2009, but when they didn’t, I decided I would give it a go.

What’s the next big challenge or hurdle that the company has to overcome?
Turning over enough profit that we can release more and different apps. I’ve already got future products in mind, but I’ll need a much bigger budget to see them to fruition so I need rAPPidRevise to do well!

In one sentence, what’s the personal dream?
In a soppy “world peace” sentiment, I want to see barriers to learning reduced in the UK and the world. And on a personal note, I want to have a farm in the country and a villa somewhere sunny.

If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
I think I’d probably need an album of different songs to cover all the themes.

What are you secretly an expert at?
Air guitar

If your school friends had to pick a ‘Most Likely’ for you, what would it have been?
Most likely to be a psychiatrist.
What lesson do you wish you’d been taught before you started all this?
I’m learning a lot as I go along. It might have been helpful to know more about programming, but you have to start from where you are.
What’s the strangest advice you’ve received?
Give up.

If someone wants to get on your good side, what would they need to do?
Recycle

Is there anything you’d like to hear from people about?
I currently need content and PR so any help with those would be lovely!