Tandem Wins Isle of Man Innovation Challenge with AI-Powered Early Learning Platform

Tandem, an AI-driven platform transforming screen time into personalised storybooks and activities for children, has won the Isle of Man Innovation Challenge 2025. Already in 1,500+ homes, it supports early development, emotional wellbeing, and family connection.

Tandem, by Early Ideas, is a new platform turning passive screen time into a meaningful learning experience for families with young children, and it’s already being used by over 1,500 households across and beyond the UK and Isle of Man.  

The start-up recently won the 2025 Isle of Man Innovation Challenge in recognition of the meaningful impact their generative AI technology is having on early years development and storytelling.  

Founded and developed in 2023 by former clinicians and technologists Rob Hughes and Alastair van Heerden, Tandem uses AI to create personalised storybooks and activities for children aged 2-8. It’s designed not just to entertain, but to nurture children’s emotional wellbeing and early literacy development while helping time-pressed parents connect more deeply with their children.  

Born out of the founders’ global health experience and insight into childhood development, the solution is built on the belief that technology isn’t going away, and it can play a more active, human, role in early years learning.   

Content is adapted to each child, reflecting cultural relevance, family dynamics, and accessibility needs, including neurodiversity and multilingual households.  

This positions Tandem as a vital platform for aiding early years development, and their victory at the Innovation Challenge is a tribute to their desire and potential to have a positive impact on society.  

Rob Hughes stated, “Tandem is our solution to a challenge we’ve seen time and again… Parents want to spend quality time with their children, but life gets in the way. We’re using technology to make that easier, turning screens from a passive experience into a tool for creativity and connection.”  

Rob’s strong family ties to the Isle of Man, combined with the Innovation Challenge’s focus on socially impactful and responsible AI innovation, made it a natural springboard for Tandem to grow and refine their solution in a supportive business ecosystem.  

“The Isle of Man stood out to us as a forward-thinking, agile place to pilot meaningful AI solutions,” added Alistair... “The Challenge provided access to an ecosystem that shares our values around ethical innovation and social impact.’’  

As the Island sharpens its focus on tech that serves society, the 2026 Innovation Challenge will target solutions in Health and Social Care, a natural next step that reflects its commitment to real-world public impact. Tandem is a clear example of the kind of innovation the Island is proud to champion.  

Looking to the future, Tandem is building both its ‘direct to consumer’ and B2Government markets, partnering with Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to make hospital visits less intimidating while encouraging kids and parents to read and play. The company is also eyeing expansion into the US and low- to middle-income markets. Tandem is a platform to watch in the AI and Edtech space.