JumpToPC

During the past decade India has entered a digital revolution as online services provide access to education, finance, employment and political participation. However, 80% of Indians lack the basic digital skills and tools to participate in and benefit from the ‘Digital India’ revolution. COVID-19 has promoted digital inclusion for some, but has left large swaths further behind. Girls are disproportionately affected since they are often excluded from accessing computers outside of the home.

JumpToPC is a practical and scalable solution that provides the means for India’s digitally excluded to learn and use digital services. With an experience tailored for first-time computer users, JumpToPC pairs with a smartphone and television to create an affordable home computer. It is compatible with most digital learning content, and offers a platform to build and distribute new content, making it adaptable to the specific needs of underserved communities in India and globally.

Equitable access to opportunities in the digital workforce requires that everyone can access and master the tools of the trade. JumpToPC makes those tools more accessible and nurtures users across the gaping digital divide.

10% of Indian households have broadband internet and half as many own a computer, leaving 1.3 billion, India’s bottom billion, and 3 billion globally, without the means to fully participate in the digital economy. The Indian Government has made aggressive moves toward digitisation of services, healthcare and education, and India is home to the world’s largest IT workforce. Smartphone ownership is rapidly increasing and expected to cross 1 billion devices by 2025, driven by the world’s most affordable mobile data rates. However, viewing, tapping and swiping is not a means of preparing underserved communities for participation in the digital workforce. During COVID-19, the need for remote learning and work-from-home tools has risen exponentially. Smartphones are effective at entertaining and connecting Indians from all walks of life, but access to more functional technology is needed to prepare students and workers with accessible digital skills and tools. In the absence of technology, infrastructure and training targeted toward the digitally illiterate, the global digital divide will only grow wider.

Digital content is growing at an unprecedented rate, and many households already have most of the devices needed to access it. The JumpToPC technology augments this, enabling digital novices to jump across the digital divide. The solution consists of three components: a device that wirelessly pairs the user’s existing smartphone and television, a mobile application that transforms the mobile OS into a big screen desktop experience, and peripherals that allow the user to interact in the digital environment.

JumpToPC includes technology advances that are responsive to her needs. The hardware connects any smartphone to any television, including old CRTs, using a peer-to-peer wireless protocol that does not require external WiFi or broadband internet. The base peripheral set includes a keyboard and mouse designed for mobile-first users. Each user is introduced to a basic set of compatible applications (e.g. browser, word processor, spreadsheet, content), and can easily add from the curated JumpToPC Library as she advances. She receives personalised recommendations for free learning and training content driven by JumpToPC’s recommendation engine. The pairing also works without any Internet connectivity, making it a perfect solution in those low-to-no connectivity areas.

JumpToPC can be implemented at an institutional level with additional custom-built features.

JumpToPC provides an opportunity for underserved students, entrepreneurs, families and other digitally curious people to own and use technology that is currently unaffordable and unfamiliar. Alongside our distribution partner, Greenway Appliances, we have spent most of the past decade serving underserved Indian communities with life-improving household products. JumpToPC was born from conversations with students, teachers, mothers, fathers, business-women and -men, and local leaders in these communities, and developed with their regular input, testing and feedback. During user acceptance testing, we learned about women who were hired for at-home data entry jobs, students who could participate in online courses, and girls who were writing their first Python scripts. We recognize that for many families, inclusion in the digital economy can effectively begin with young people. Therefore, we are currently focusing on serving students’ needs, especially given their urgent needs during the pandemic. JumpToPC has great potential to prepare those entering the digital workforce with skills and access to high value employment opportunities.

While most technology companies serve India’s top 10% income earners, the stories from JumpToPC’s first users, entirely in the bottom 90%, have motivated us to further develop technology tailored for them. With an average annual income of 40,000 INR (525 USD), the bottom 50% of Indian households cannot afford laptop and desktop computers, so JumpToPC is priced at 20% that of a low-cost laptop. A smartphone is often the first luxury purchase for a low-income Indian family. Therefore, we designed JumpToPC’s peripherals and user interface for mobile-first users to encourage quick adoption and minimal behavioural change. English language comprehension is often low in our target communities, so we are currently adapting JumpToPC for regional languages and featuring vernacular content. JumpToPC is an in-home solution, comprising devices that she is innately familiar with, and lowering barriers for her to be included in the digital economy.

Entry into the digital workforce requires an accessible pathway toward digital literacy, identity and interplay, which does not exist for a majority of people in India and most developing countries. JumpToPC advances underserved communities from only digital access and awareness, towards skills, practice and identity by providing the essential tools and experience in an accessible and affordable product. Our team is committed to serving populations in India and globally that have been overlooked, left behind or inadequately served by other organisations, national initiatives and infrastructure.

JumpToPC is currently being piloted in a few regions in India, primarily by approximately 3000 users in Western Karnataka where our team has extensive work experience and knowledge of the local culture and languages. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we completed development of the JumpToPC minimum viable product, and demonstrated it to approximately 40 schools, NGOs and community organisations in Karnataka. The first JumpToPC users attended those demonstrations. During the pandemic, we shifted largely to virtual demonstrations where attendees represent schools and educational NGOs serving low-income and rural communities, and online learning content platforms. In addition to demonstrations and outreach, our small team has continued to improve the technology including better user support, learning content access, and security and privacy features.

JumpToPC’s innovation arises from scarcity in low-income households, every family’s desire to create a better future for their children, and the recent increase in penetration of mobile technology. With an average annual income of 40,000 INR (525 USD), the bottom 50% cannot afford a conventional computer. However, with an average 20% of their income spent on education, JumpToPC fits within household constraints as an educational investment. By focusing on this cost constraint, we took a different approach compared to competitors like Sentio and Nexdock. Since 80% households own a television, JumpToPC leverages that for the display instead of a dedicated monitor, eliminating 15% of the cost of a computer. 

Additionally, India has the cheapest mobile data and fastest growing smartphone ownership globally, which serves as the processor, storage and internet access in JumpToPC, eliminating an additional 50% cost. The display adapter functions like Chromecast, but meets the specific needs of our target customers by using a secure peer-to-peer wireless connection instead of WiFi, no subscription- or pay-wall, and easy setup with local user support. Today, Indians are comfortable using apps like WhatsApp and TikTok, which wasn't the case when One Laptop Per Child, Aakash tablet, and Intel’s Classmate PC were introduced. JumpToPC is built in Android for the mobile-first user, and enable participation of external developers to create content and plugins. JumpToPC exists alone in the middle of the mobile-computer spectrum, so we hope to catalyse a larger impact by creating a platform for content and applications developed for JumpToPC.

The major technical hurdle for JumpToPC was connecting low-end segment devices that are otherwise incompatible to create a seamless PC experience. 80% of televisions in Indian households are 15+ year-old CRTs. JumpToPC accommodates all televisions with HDMI and A/V connectors, and adaptive aspect ratio. To operate independent of an internet connection, JumpToPC uses a high-bandwidth, peer-to-peer wireless protocol, WiFi Direct (WiDi), that operates in the ubiquitous 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency bands. To overcome signal interference that plagues many WiDi products, JumpToPC uses a high-power MIMO antenna which achieves <100ms latency in high RF traffic environments. The smartphone is used for computing, UI, storage and internet access, so the display adapter is purpose-built for receiving and displaying content, allowing for a low-cost ARM A7 SoC and lightweight firmware. Low-cost, wireless peripherals allow the user to interact in the digital environment.

Existing applications for mobile-to-desktop conversion requires installing a new OS (e.g. Ubuntu Touch, Maru), which is an unlikely change for a low digital literacy user. JumpToPC’s mobile application augments any Android OS (version 4.2 and above) to a desktop UI without rooting the OS. The user can also access pre-installed learning content and productivity applications, which are curated based on input from educators and researchers, and features content targeted for girls STEM learning and digital literacy.  Priorities for future development are streamlining the initial device setup, UI accessibility improvements through co-design with our users, and launching a JumpToPC software ecosystem for third party developers.

The evidence that access to computers contributes to better outcomes for underserved populations is actually mixed. Studies in the USA (Vigdor & Ladd, 2010; Fairlie & Robinson, 2013), Romania (Malamud & Pop-Eleches, 2010) and Brazil (Wainer et al. 2008) have shown that providing computers alone to students has no or sometimes negative impacts on math and reading test scores, although at the same time improving digital literacy. At least in the case of students, and likely all entry-level users, computer access should be coupled with appropriate support and a healthy learning environment. Research on new internet users in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and Mexico highlighted the importance of access to timely and available support and teaching, and the need for practice in addition to instruction to build confidence (Google 2020). In the right environment, Trucano writes that access to computers and ICT can serve as amplifiers for learning (World Bank, 2010). During the current JumpToPC pilots, we have observed this amplification effect, with 3-5x increase in class attendance and engagement, especially in cases where students received regular support and check-ins from our team and partners. In addition to participating in their courses, the students learned to use digital tools including Zoom, WPS Office, Google Meet, ELab, PowerPoint, Canva and Chrome. By addressing affordability and accessibility barriers, coupled with support and an experience tailored for low digital literacy users, JumpToPC has been demonstrated to be effective where other parachute technologies have not. Here is a link to a product demonstration: www.youtube.com/watch?v=32oDK1...

Our team understands that there are a number of risks and vulnerabilities that we must address, including the privacy and protection of our users and their data. In general, we refer to the Principles for Digital Development (www.digital principles.org) and the direct recommendations of our users and community of advisers. JumpToPC by default creates a unique, anonymous session with each use, and users can voluntarily opt-in to creating a secure personal account with login credentials that are stored in an encrypted database. Multiple users can securely access their account, even when using the same smartphone. As we continue to expand the functionality of JumpToPC, our team will prioritize the privacy and security of our users above all other features. In addition, we will promote a culture of security, safety and respect among JumpToPC users through our learning content and services.

JumpToPC is currently in use in approximately 3000 households for learning and working from home. On average we see that there are at least two users per home. Our users include both families who have purchased JumpToPC directly, and those who have received it through our school and NGO partners. 

In the next one year, we aim to reach at least 50,000 households and we are on track to scale to one million households in the next five years.

We aim for JumpToPC to be the stepping stone to digital literacy for 80% of Indian families. We will accomplish this by providing affordable, accessible and high-quality personal computing hardware and software that are tailored for regional and entry-level computer users. Over the next year, we aim to reach 25,000 households, and partner with 25 organisations. We have already tied up with several foundations, Rotary Clubs, community organisations, and online content platforms to help JumpToPC reach underserved communities. As an in-home solution, women and girls can easily access JumpToPC, which makes it more equitable. We have also partnered with several schools who are including JumpToPC in their fees, making it available at a subsidised rate as students prepare for another year of online classes, a major challenge without suitable at-home technology. A small example of the real-life impact we’ve had: One of our initial users recently received a medical scholarship after she aced her online exams with JumpToPC. 

Over the next five years we aim to provide JumpToPC access to one million households, scaling the learning and employment impacts that it will enable. Through our partners, we already have access to more than 1 million households, and alliances with MFIs, NGOs and government agencies. This allows us to extend credit payment schemes for those families who can't afford an upfront payment, and distribute the product at subsidised rate. We also plan to engage large corporate and IT companies to include JumpToPC in their entry-level job training and employment opportunities.

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1. Total number of units distributed - This is easily measured, and we collate the user demographics. This helps us to define our user set as well as calculate our reach, and in turn impact. Daily and Monthly Active Usage on our app is also taken into account. 

2. Completion of basic digital tools tutorials - We measure this via our app analytics, and ensure that every user has completed it. This includes typing, mouse skills and preparing an age-appropriate word document. This is accounted as becoming digitally literate as per the National Digital Literacy Mission developed by the Government of India.

3. Completion of foundational skills especially in literacy and mathematics, based on national curriculum levels - We are adding grade-appropriate tests that can be accredited and help students graduate classes without having to repeat years especially with at-home learning or missed schooling. In our next phase, we will also curate these in multiple regional languages. 

4. Completion rates for boys and girls - We measure this by dividing the number of boys/girls who have completed certain predetermined levels by the total number of all students who logged-in for the first time - this helps us calculate dropout rates by gender. 

5. Shared impact measurement trackers with our partner schools and foundations, similar to above. We can also provide customised analytics reports basis feedback or requests from our partners.

6. Use of JumpToPC to access digital services (aside from educational), income generating activities, and higher education and career opportunities.

Our core team has three members. We have a partnership with Greenway Appliances, for manufacturing and distribution. We have five dedicated contract software developers. Hardware design and firmware are managed between our core team and our original design and manufacturing partner in Shenzhen. Currently 12 people dedicatedly work on JumpToPC.

The JumpToPC  leads are:

a) Sucheta Baliga - CEO, JumpStream

Head, Digital Products & Marketing, Greenway Appliances (2015-2019)

Product management, fund-raising, sales & marketing strategy, market research and customer behaviour modelling

b) Dr. Daniel Sweeney - CTO, JumpStream

Research Scientist & lecturer at MIT D-Lab (2013-Present)

Design and engineering of technology for low-resource communities, IoT for measuring product performance, design for manufacturing

Ex. Fulbright Scholar

c) Neha Juneja - Founder, Greenway Appliances

Award-winning, seasoned serial social entrepreneur

Designed, manufactured and sold over one million products to low-income Indian households

Our team has a combined 20 years of experience in design, manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, sales + marketing of products designed for underserved communities in India. We have designed, manufactured and launched multiple, successful rural-oriented products and generated a portfolio of over 20 intellectual property rights. Our manufacturing unit applies an iterative process to refine and value-engineer products, establish manufacturing lines, and scale production to reduce costs. Our experience in selling to the same target audience has also provided in-depth knowledge of the need-gaps, buying behaviour and purchase psyche of the customer. Our extended team and network represents the diverse communities across India, and understands the unique needs and challenges to serve them.

Through our affiliation with MIT, we have consulted faculty and staff with expertise in relevant areas including digital learning, embedded systems, wireless communications, monitoring & evaluation, and manufacturing. Additionally, we can leverage MIT’s strength in disseminating key findings to broad audiences.

Just like our product and mission, we value diversity, equity and inclusion in our team. The JumpToPC team comprises 70% women and we aim to maintain a female majority company. In addition to our customers, we value learning from and within our team. We recruit qualified interns and team members from minority and underrepresented communities. Our CTO, voluntarily created a virtual engineering and design course for Kashmiri students during the Kashmir lockdown and pandemic, several of whom have gone on to work with JumpToPC. Our ultimate DEI dream will be to hire exceptional team members from underserved communities who got their start using JumpToPC.

Our core value is accessibility - whether it’s the code we write, the user interface and design on our app, or the phone and TV segments that our hardware is compatible with - all are designed so that a first-time user can not just access, but make the most use of their personal computing experience, without language or gender constraints. We ensure that our team does not take their education or comfort with technology or design for granted.

JumpToPC was a Solve finalist last year and we found the experience of connecting with other applicants, receiving feedback from judges, and presenting our solution to be very helpful. We are proud not only that our company has survived this past year, but also advanced since our Solve experience, including adding new members to our team, completing multiple product design cycles, and piloting in several more communities. We are applying for the Digital Workforce Challenge because we are eager to grow, and we believe that Solve and ServiceNow can help to rapidly advance our product, scale and impact. Growing a social business in India requires ambition and credibility to attract dedicated team members, partners and investors. With help from Solve coaches and mentors, we will focus our approach and efforts toward JumpToPC’s greatest impacts and opportunities to scale. During last year’s competition we learned about Solve Members and identified many that are well aligned with JumpToPC’s mission and technology, and would be valuable partners both for the JumpToPC product and funding. We would welcome a collaboration with ServiceNow, especially with implementation and training for JumpToPC entrepreneurs and institutional users. The exposure from being selected as a Digital Workforce Solver will also help us to connect with new partners from within and outside of the Solve community that can support us in distributing and scaling JumpToPC.

JumpToPC is currently manufactured and distributed in India. 100% of the JumpToPC team and partners, and all current users are located within India.

Our team can benefit from advice, mentorship and partners in three areas in particular. We would benefit from mentoring on negotiation with investors, and fundraising pathways in general (e.g. debt, equity). We have already received interest from several investors, but rarely receive substantive feedback that can help us convert on future opportunities. We would also seek the support of large NGOs, foundations and corporations to help us finance our operation and achieve growth. Measuring and communicating our impact is important to us, and we expect the same from our current and future partners. We would benefit from advice on lean methods for incorporating impact data collection into our regular operations. During the past two years we have bootstrapped and been fortunate to attract a few talented and dedicated team members that align with our values and mission. We would benefit from advice and mentorship on adding human capacity within our means as we grow, and best utilising the capacity that we already have. Finally, we recognise that distributing durable goods across India is costly and challenging. We would benefit from advice and additional partnerships to help us organise logistics and reach communities that need JumpToPC.

JumpToPC has already benefited greatly from strong partnerships, and many conversations with entrepreneurs and educators around the world. We would benefit from the following partnerships through the Solve Member and MIT community:

ServiceNow: We recognise that ServiceNow is a growing and recognised IT solutions company and employer in India, and we would welcome opportunities to help them train and access a growing pool of talent in the Tier 2, 3 and below Indian markets. In addition, JumpToPC itself would benefit directly from ServiceNow products and services.

Atlassian Foundation International: Our mission aligns well with their mission to prepare disadvantaged youth for the workforce of the future.

BHP Foundation: JumpToPC’s has the potential to help disadvantaged young people around the world access quality educational opportunities.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Global Education Program: The long term opportunity for JumpToPC to enhance learning outcomes for young people, especially girls, aligns with the goals of this Gates Foundation Program.

MIT Teaching & Learning Lab: Help to make sure that we are asking the right questions from our users, appropriately integrating those answers into our design, and understanding learning outcomes.

MIT Open Learning: MIT’s reputation and quality of education is known worldwide. JumpToPC would benefit from integrating and adapting existing digital content from edX, OpenCourseware, Blossoms and other MIT digital platforms for JumpToPC users.

MIT Media Lab Learning Initiative: Help us to create new learning experiences for girls and women with JumpToPC technology.