Singapore's myFirst Raises $8M for Safe Kids' Tech

When founder G-Jay Yong watched his own children reach for technology built for adults, he knew something had to change.

Now his Singapore-based company myFirst has raised over $8 million in Series A funding led by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India to expand kid-safe technology worldwide. The investment will help more than a million families across 60 countries give their children digital experiences designed specifically for young users.

The company creates devices like the myFirst Fone watchphone, which lets kids call and message family while parents track their location through GPS and safety zones. An SOS button provides emergency access without handing a child a full smartphone with all its risks.

MyFirst Circle, their companion app, offers something rare in today's digital world: a completely ad-free social network where children can only connect with parent-approved contacts. Everything happens within encrypted, parent-controlled environments free from strangers and inappropriate content.

"Every child deserves their first digital device to be built just for them, at a price point that makes it accessible," Yong explained. The funding will help them reach more families through partnerships with major retailers like Walmart and Best Buy across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and North Asia.

Jessica Koh from Vertex Ventures notes that families are actively seeking alternatives to adapted adult platforms. "The global KidsTech opportunity remains underpenetrated, and myFirst is well positioned to define the category at scale," she said.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond watchphones, myFirst has built an entire ecosystem including cameras, headphones, and drawing tablets that prioritize creativity and self-expression. Each device connects to services purpose-built for children, creating safe pathways for kids to explore communication and technology on their own terms.

At a time when most children's first online experiences happen on platforms designed for adults, myFirst is proving there's another way. Their approach gives kids the independence they crave while providing parents the peace of mind they need.

Safe, joyful, age-appropriate technology for the next generation is no longer just a parent's wish.